Page 66 of Anchored

Irritation flares into rage in a heartbeat. His dismissive tone is like gasoline on the sore spot I’ve been harboring my whole life. And for once, I’m willing to let things burn.

“Seriously, Dad? Keep me updated? This is yourmotherI’m talking about. The woman who gave you life and raised you. You are the oldest son. Do you even give a fuck about her?”

“Maple!” Dad’s voice is loud. Shocked. I don’t normally curse. Especially not to my parents.

But something in me has snapped. Maybe it’s Grandma’s influence this summer. Maybe it’s Holt’s unconditional love. Maybe it’s seeing how love can wither and die or be simply put on pause for decades when things go unexplained.

“Normally, I’d say it’s not my place to chastise you, Dad, but seriously? Somebody needs to get you to pull your head out of your ass. And I know it won’t be Toby. This is yourmother, and you’ve pawned her off on nurses and therapists and even me, when you should have been here at the first sign of medical issues. Frankly, I’m disappointed in you.”

The moment the familiar words are out of my mouth, I feel like a heavy weight has been lifted from my shoulders. So many times he’s said those same words to me, for minor transgressions like choosing the “wrong” major in college or wearing something he didn’t think his lawyer friends would approve of. I’m proud of myself. Proud that I’ve finally stood up for Grandma, and in so doing, stood up for myself.

He’s floundering. I can hear it in the starts and stops before he heaves a heavy sigh. “You might just have a point.”

I shake my head, grinning with amusement. As much as I’ve tried, I can’t seem to hold on to anger. It’s just not in me to focus on the bad when I can focus on the good and immediately feel better. Dad’s words aren’t much of a confession, or even an admission of guilt, but it’s something. It’s a small concession the great and mighty Darryl Thatcher has let slip past his lips.

“I think I’ll have Sylvia schedule a call later this afternoon. I’ll talk to my mother myself and check in.”

“If you really want to get wild and crazy, just hit dial on her name and don’t bother to schedule it. I promise you the legal world will not stop turning if you take ten minutes to talk to your mom.”

I can hear the smile in his tone when he replies. “Don’t push it, Maple.”

I snort. “I wouldn’t dare, Dad. Talk soon.”

And then I hang up, satisfied for the first time after a conversation with my father. I stoop down to pick up Mookie. She bares her teeth at me for interrupting her morning-long nap, snarling as I hold her out from me like a dance partner and swirl us both around the cabin. My joy is short-lived. Toby texts me in the family group chat before I’ve finished my yogurt and grapes for breakfast.

Toby: So now that Grandma’s fine, are you coming back to Charlotte? It seems irresponsible to leave your condo empty. If you plan to stay longer, you should sublet it so you’re not out the rent money.

“Seriously?” I ask out loud. Mookie paws at my shin. Immediately, I head for the back door, letting her out to do her business while I stay in the doorway and make sure a bigger creature doesn’t snatch her for a snack. When she’s back inside, I let my fingers fly, embracing the courage I felt when I talked to Dad.

Me: Not that it’s any of your concern, but I bought that condo outright. I don’t have rent payments, other than paying my HOA. If and when I decide to return to Charlotte, I’ll let you know. PS - you do know I hold down a job, right? A very well-paying job?

Mom: Can we table this for later? It’s rather uncouth to discuss finances over text.

I want to text back that Toby started it, but that would be the exact juvenile thing they expect from me. I roll my eyes and leave my phone on the kitchen counter. I’ve had enough of my family for one day. I’m going to see a few clients, then focus on my date later tonight.

Holt never did come home, which is fine. I spent an inordinate amount of time getting ready for our date. It’s been a long time since I’ve been this excited to see a man. The bubble bath came first, then shaving, self-tanning, lotion, polish on my toes, and finally a blow-dryer and curling iron to tame the beachy waves.

I slide into the one and only fancy dress I brought with me. The emerald-green material has spaghetti straps that hold up the bow-tied bosom in the front. Stick-on cups make the girls perky and assure I won’t have a nip-slip situation at the fancy restaurant. My stomach is bare beneath the cutout of the dress, with the skirt falling loosely around my thighs and ending a few inches above my knees. Four-inch espadrilles complete the outfit.

I make sure Mookie’s fed and happy before I get in my car and head into town early. Holt asked me to dinner, but I have plans to bring the dessert, which I intend to be me. My little car fits perfectly in the narrow spots on Main Street. The intense sun has made the brass doorknob of Harbor Lights Candles almost unusable. A feminine hello rings out before my eyes have adjusted to the dimly lit shop.

“Let me know if you need any help.” A woman around my age waves from the register in the back, long black hair piled on top of her head. Her smile is friendly and her shop smells heavenly.

“I’d like a few of your most romantic scents,” I say, figuring I could be here all evening if I had to sniff all the various candles that line every surface of this place.

“Ooh, got a hot date?” She comes around the counter and approaches, hand outstretched. “I’m Jacqueline, by the way.”

I shake her hand. “Maple.”

Her face lights up. “Yes! You’re the elusive Maple who’s caught the eye of Holt, Anchor Lake’s most eligible bachelor.”

My cheeks heat. “Umm…”

She giggles. “I’m just kidding. He doesn’t officially hold the title. Us single girls just like to tease to keep ourselves from weeping over the lack of men around here.”

I like her. She’s funny, while also being a girl’s girl when she shows me her best sellers for a romantic date. I buy ten of them, wanting to support her business, but also to set a romantic scene when we get back to the cabin after dinner. I loved the tea lights Holt lit when the power went out, which gave me the idea for a more elaborate display of candlelight.

I bid her farewell and good luck with the manhunt, to which she laughs and tells me she has a good backup drawer of vibrators just in case. I can see myself being friends with her if I’m to stay in Anchor Lake. I fully believe Holt is The One. Which means I need to start making plans to move permanently to Anchor Lake.

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