Page 12 of By Your Side

“I hadn’t heard. Please tell her congratulations for me.” When Jill moved, her best friend Alexandra moved with her, so it’s unsurprising they’re still friends.

“Well, I was hoping you would be my plus one. There are a lot of people going that you may know, but also her fiancé’s boss owns a huge construction company and they’re always looking for good people.” She reaches across the table for me, dropping her hand when I lean back in my chair. “Seeing you again, it brought things back for me. No one has ever lived up to you, Owen, and I thought—”

The bell chimes, cutting her off as Raelynn and Adeline come into the shop, Adeline’s throaty laugh filling the room.

She covers her mouth, her eyes glistening as Raelynn continues her story and my lips twitch in response. It’s the first time I’ve seen her look so joyful, and her laugh sends a bolt right through me.

Raelynn sees me first. She smiles until she sees Jill before rolling her eyes and walking to Elise. Jill and Raelynn never got along after Jill made fun of Raelynn’s curls when they were six. Small-town grudges have a way of surviving the test of time.

Adeline glances our way, her eyes flicking between me and Jill before she turns to the women at the counter. Their laughter fills the room and it’s not until Jill clears her throat that I realize I’m staring at Adeline.

Her voice is soft as she looks between us. “I can see it’s too late. Of course it is. What was I thinking? I wish you the best, Owen.” She smiles, the look is genuine as she stands and comes around to give my shoulder a squeeze. “I’m glad you’re doing so well.”

She walks out, but unlike the last time, the feeling she leaves behind isn’t one of sadness, it’s one of peace.

The voices at the counter fade and I look up, locking eyes with Adeline. The air is charged, and I can’t look away. What is it about this woman? Why does she have this hold on me when I don’t even know her?

Tearing my gaze away, I pick up my phone and open my email, not looking up from the screen until I hear her and Raelynn leave.

Looking up at the door, I take a deep breath. Whatever this feeling is, it’s temporary. So, I might as well shut it down now. But Jill’s comment lingers in my mind.

seven

Adeline

Switching the phone to my other ear, I grimace as I stare at my latest problem. I’ve been living in my house for almost three weeks and I’m pretty sure the house is getting worse and not better.

“Dad, I don’t need you to come here and help me. I promise I have everything under control.” What I don’t mention is the water currently dripping from under my bathroom sink and running onto the floor. “Anyway, I have to go. We’ll talk soon and give Mom my love.”

Hanging up before he can protest, I crawl back under the sink and yank on the wrench. Something snaps and water shoots out of the pipe right into my face.

“You have got to be kidding me!” I shout, clenching my fist in frustration. At first it was funny, now it’s just maddening. It’s been one thing after another with this house and no matter how many videos I watch, nothing has prepared me for all the weird things I keep coming upon every step of the way.

Heaving a sigh, I push my soaking hair out of my face and rush to the kitchen, where the list of names Raelynn provided is stuck to the fridge.

Circled three times is Owen Callahan, his number written in large, bold print right next to it.

I’ve met Raelynn a few times for coffee, and she has said each time that he is the best of the best if I decide to hire someone.

Dialing quickly, I race to the bathroom as the phone rings, panicking as I see the water level rising in the bathroom.

“Owen Callahan,” a deep voice rasps over the phone.

“I need your help. Desperately. Like right now and Raelynn recommended you to me.” The words spill out. “This is Adeline Houghton and I’m having a plumbing, reno, this-house-is-cursed emergency. Please tell me you can help me.” I’m practically begging by the end of my tirade.

“I can be there in ten minutes.” He hangs up and if I wasn’t already losing my mind, I would be certain I heard him laugh.

Grabbing a towel, I wrap it around the spraying pipe. Rushing for the wet vac, I plug it in and turn it on—only for the power to go out.

“No . . . no . . . no . . .” Taking deep breaths, I race to the door when I hear a heavy knock.

Yanking it open, I lose my balance and topple into the wall. “Damn, do . . .”

Freezing, I look up and meet Wally’s gaze. His lips twitch as he takes me in.

“What are you doing here?” Gasping, I stand, crossing my arms. The heat in my cheeks burns.

“You called me. No need to ask where the leak it, I can see it.” He comes in, not bothering to take off his shoes.

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