Page 15 of More Than a Pretty Face

Chapter 5

Jasmine

After packing most of Saturday, I’m determined to finish today.Ingrid spent a chunk of yesterday ranting about how someone puked on her bumper and how it was my fault for not driving her car home.In the middle of that rant, she accused me of being drunk several more times.

It’s too big a reminder of why I left home and everything I disliked about my stepfather.If I get the little house, I’m moving as soon as possible.

Ingrid left early this morning, and I haven’t heard from her since, which isn’t unusual.But she slammed doors on her way out, just her sweet way of letting me know she’s still mad at me.

I channel my anger and pack.

Thankfully, we have paper plates, so I box up my dishes.If there is anything to the power of positive thinking, I’m hoping it works in my case.All my positive thoughts are evidenced by the growing stack of boxes.I’d packed a lot of stuff, but by the end of today, all I need is a truck, some strong guys, and a place to go.Maybe being ready will make the place to go happen sooner rather than later.

My phone rings, and I answer even though I don’t recognize the number.Call me a hopeless romantic, but I’m hoping my mystery man will call me.More of that positive thinking.Surely, I gave him my number.

“Hello.”

“Jasmine?”The gentleman speaking sounds like Mr.Grindle, the man who owns the little house I want to rent.

I cross my finger, hoping that’s who this is.“Speaking.”

He clears his throat.“Oh, good.I’m calling to let you know that you can move in anytime.I have the keys ready for you.Forgive the intrusion of calling on a Sunday, but the missus said you were eager to move.”

“I am.Thank you so much for calling today.”I dance around the kitchen.“I can come by today or tomorrow in the evening just after work.Which is better?”

“This evening would be nice.”He gives a soft chuckle.“Elaine is making meatloaf, so you might want to stay for dinner.”

“I will.Thank you.”

Having the Grindles as neighbors will be interesting and fun.Living beside them, I’ll have a built-in neighborhood watch, my own security detail.And since they fed me the last time I was there, I’m guessing this is the beginning of a pattern, a glorious and welcome pattern.

Stadtburg is such a cute little town, and it’s just west of the yoga studio where I work.The drive to the preschool will be long, but I’ll keep my eyes open for another position.When the right opening lands in my lap, I’ll switch jobs.

I love teaching kids, but there are lots of other ways I can use my horticulture degree.

After packing the rest of the kitchen, I take a quick shower and throw on jeans and one of my favorite T-shirts.

A break from packing will be nice.My muscles are sore, and I’ve confirmed that my earring isn’t anywhere in my house.After seeing how I behaved at the party, I can only imagine what I did with the earring.I might’ve fed it to a goat.Though I didn’t see any goats.

The T-shirt that is definitely not mine has been washed and is in my car.I can’t believe the guy left his shirt but not his number.

An idea strikes me, and I hurry to my car.I know this isn’t kindergarten, but maybe his name is written on the tag of his shirt.But there’s no name on the tag.There isn’t even a tag.And whatever had been printed in that spot wore off long ago.

A shirt isn’t much to go on, but Prince Charming only had a shoe, and he made it work.I’m not ready to give up hope.

The Grindles’house is set back from the road.Flowers line the walkway, and a white railing wraps around the large front porch.Matching rocking chairs are off to one side.And the scene looks like it’s been plucked from a magazine.

I stop halfway up the walk and glance next door.The blue house I’ll be renting is smaller, but it has a welcoming front porch with a white railing.There is enough room for potted plants.But the porch on the other side of the house is incredible.It runs across the entire back and even has a porch swing.The perfect place for romantic nights.

All I need is the right person.Is it too much to hope that my cowboy will ride up on a white horse and dance with me on the porch?Maybe that’s a bit crazy.

A creaking sound pulls my attention back to the Grindles’ house.“You made it!”Mrs.Grindle probably wears that warm and welcoming smile in her sleep.

“Yes.I heard good food is being served.”

As I step onto the porch, she wraps me in a hug.“We are so excited that you’ll be living next door.We need more young people around here.”She motions me inside, then follows behind me.“Just the other day, two ladies—young and full of life—opened a photography studio in our little strip mall.Right by the donut shop.I think all of the shops in there are run by young people, and it makes me so happy.”

Mr.Grindle holds out keys to me as he walks into the living room.“Without young folk, towns die.We don’t want that.Gave you two keys in case you had a sweetheart.”

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