Page 175 of Keep This Promise
“Yes, I am.”
“Wonderful. You’ll have to bring some culture to this town. A few years ago, we tried to do a festival of cuisine from around the world, but it ended up being a barbeque with the same food as always,” he explains.
“I don’t know what culture I could bring, but I will endeavor to do what I can.”
“I like you already.” He chuckles. “Have a nice lunch, ladies.”
I wave as he walks off, heading to another group, who all greet him enthusiastically. Blakely sighs heavily. “I know I have zero reasons to dislike him, and yet, here I am, plotting his demise . . .”
Brielle shakes her head. “Blakely and the mayor had a rough start, but he is a nice man who loves this town more than anyone I know.”
“Then why don’t you like him?” I ask Blake.
“When I got into town, I was so sure he was involved in the case I was working. Every instinct I had was telling me it was him, and then I found out it wasn’t. His son is sketchy too.” She glances toward the mayor and then back to me. “I think part of it is my own need to be right, so I keep searching for something that makes me not feel completely inept.”
Theo was that way. He needed to be right more than anything else, and it drove me mad when we fought. He couldn’t just admit he was wrong, and he’d somehow invent something to prove his point, even though we all knew he was reaching.
I think of the letter sitting in my bag that I can’t bring myself to read yet.
It’s equal parts fear that it says something I need to know that I’d rather not, or it’s filled with rubbish.
My world feels as though it’s gone topsy-turvy, and I can’t find my bearings. If he adds more to it, I will never be all right again. And I really need to be all right.
Brielle rests her hand on my wrist. “Are you okay?” I must’ve spaced out. “Sorry about that. I was daydreaming, it seems.”
“About anything in particular?”
I shrug. “Not really.”
“Did you have any more thoughts on what your plans are?” Blake asks.
“I’d like to stay here for a while. Eden adores Holden already, and I would love for them to have a relationship.”
Brie gives me a warm smile. “I’m glad you feel that way. We’d love to be Eden’s aunties and your friend too.”
It’s crazy to me that by losing the only family I had left I gained a completely new one.
“I would love that.”
“Good.” Blake smiles. “So, if you’re staying here, what are your plans?”
“I’d really like to find a way to work with painting that’s flexible. Brielle”—I turn my attention to her—“do you think the place you work would hire me? I can teach all kinds of different techniques from basic skills to more advanced. I have a degree in art history as well as education. I would love to put it to use.”
“Absolutely! We don’t pay very well, but it’s rewarding in other ways.”
Money is something I absolutely need to worry about, but I’m sure I can make do with what little I was given and whatever I can make from working.
“I understand, and anything is better than where I am currently.”
“Good! I’ll talk to my boss tomorrow, and I’ll call you or Holden to let you know what she says.”
A plan is good. A plan to stay in Rose Canyon is definitely not what I thought, but for the first time since Theo’s death, I am excited at the possibilities of where my life may go.
ChapterTwelve
HOLDEN
Today has been a horrible fucking day. The only bright spot is coming home to Eden and Sophie.
