Page 88 of Welcome Home, Cowboy
“I’m not allowed to talk to you about it,” Beth said, suddenly straight-faced.
“About what?”
“You were going to ask me if I’ve talked to Lawson and if I knew why he was being such a—” Beth glanced down at Sabrina. “Such a brat. I did, I do; but I promised him I wouldn’t tell you anything.”
Julie furrowed her brow as Beth lifted hers. “Doesn’t matter. I don’t care.” She placed her hands on her hips.
Beth shook her head. “Both of you are stupid idiots.”
“Excuse me.” Julie straightened.
“Which is why you’re so perfect for each other. My obligations as a sister trump those as a friend. But…” She looked sheepish. “You should talk to him,” she said quickly, as if she waited another moment, she might lose her nerve to say anything at all. “Demand answers. Cry if you have to because Lawson hates it when women cry.”
“I’m not going to cry in front of him,” Julie said flatly.
“Fine. Don’t. But go talk to him. Please,” Beth pleaded. She gave Sabrina a little shove. “Ask Ms. Julie nicely.”
“Pleasssssseeee,” Sabrina said, smiling wide.
Julie shook her head, then lifted her shoulders. “Fine. Okay.” Not that there was anything Lawson could do or say to make up for how he’d treated her.
“And you should do it soon. Like this afternoon soon,” Beth added. “Okay, that’s it.” She pretended to zip her lips. “That’s all I’m saying. No more.” She kissed Sabrina’s cheek. “Bye, little yogi. Have fun.”
Sabrina jumped up and down. “Bye, Mommy!”
Julie watched Beth practically run from the room. If Beth thought she needed to go see Lawson again, what could it hurt?
More kids started to file into the classroom. She inhaled deeply and tried to focus on the smiling faces in front of her. “Hi, everyone,” she said in her best singsong voice. The children’s enthusiasm immediately drew her in. “Are you guys excited about learning yoga?”
Everyone cheered. The energy in the room was the exact opposite of what it usually was in an adult class. It wasn’t peaceful, it was exuberant. No way was she going to be able to obsess over her love life right now. Or her lack of love life.
Thirty minutes later, after class had ended, she rolled up her yoga mat and waved goodbye to the last child. Sabrina came back in, dragging Beth behind her.
“Mom says we’ll be back next week!”
“Good.” Julie laughed. “It was great seeing both of you today. And, Sabrina, you did so good. Maybe you can be my assistant next time.”
Beth nodded. “And maybe I’ll join an adult class one of these days.”
“You should.” Julie followed them out and stopped at the reception desk where Allison was seated.
“Looks like you’ve made a bunch of kids happy today,” Allison said.
“I feel better after seeing them, too.” Julie watched as Beth and Sabrina exited the front door.
“I feel the same way after spending an hour in the weight room, watching a bunch of muscle heads. Speaking of which, I scheduled the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new health and wellness center for tomorrow. As my assistant director, you should definitely be there.”
Julie clasped her hands at her chest. “Already?”
“Last minute, I know, but we’re ready. We already have classes scheduled for next week, so it makes sense. And I thought since you’d be running the place, that you would do the honors of cutting the ribbon,” Allison said.
“I’d love to.”
“After that, the place is yours to get up and running. The nutritionist I hired part-time will be able to come in on Thursdays. I’ll get you her phone number so you can get her oriented.”
“Great.” New energy surged through Julie. This was exactly what she was meant to be doing. This was a job that meant something, and it was hers. A fleeting thought of Lawson swept across her mind. A part of her wished she could call him and invite him to the ribbon-cutting ceremony. He’d encouraged her so much along the way, and someone should be there with her, celebrating her successes in life.
Julie shook the thought away. Kat and Val would be there for her. And Beth and Sabrina. She had people, albeit all females. They were people who loved her, though. That was all that mattered. And if Lawson ever truly loved her, he wouldn’t have broken up with her without any real explanation. “I’m going to throw everything I have into this new job,” she said. Which wasn’t much. First Daren and now Lawson had taken a piece of her. She’d gone and seen Daren and taken back her confidence. Now she was headed to Lawson’s place. She’d given him her heart, all of it. Now she was going to take it back. For good.
