Page 5 of Burn Falls

Next year then. Now, put some leggings on, and I’ll see you after work.

“The usual?” Chance asked looking straight at Valencia.

We’d just bellied up to the bar after I’d walked the few blocks from work in the rain. Of course, since it was raining, yet again, I’d had pizza for lunch. I decided to eat two slices because I was wearing stretchy leggings and it wasn’t January 1st. Was it worth making a New Year’s resolution if I already knew I was going to fail it?

Fuck! I should start running again.

“You remember our order?” V asked, feigning ignorance and batting her blue eyes.

I rolled my eyes while Chance leaned forward and rested his forearms on the bar top. His shaggy, light-brown hair covered one of his hazel eyes, and he brushed it away with his hand.

“I remember what all the pretty girls order.”

“Is that so?” she asked, twirling a lock of her long, light-brown hair.

I wanted to mock throw up so bad, or lean over to V and point out that she wasn’t the only one he was referring to. Instead, I kept my mouth shut and looked up at the taxidermy zebra head on the wall behind the bar as I waited for Chance to make my drink.

“I also remember their name, Valencia.” He winked. I gagged.

V turned her head toward me and smirked. She turned back to Chance. “What are you doing for New Year’s Eve?”

“I’ll be here.” He stood and gestured to the bar.

“So will I.” She giggled.

I’ll be in the boondocks of Alaska if anyone cares.

“Let me put your order in.” Chance winked at V again and then turned to the POS system.

I was twenty-eight and, once again, I was rolling my eyes, but I didn’t care. I was jealous. I hadn’t had a boyfriend in ... Well, doing the math, at least a year because I was focusing all of my time on work. I’d been on a few dates, but nothing stuck because of my long hours at the bank. In the five years I’d worked there, I’d already been promoted to the top of my field.

I wanted to find the love my parents had for each other. The one where just a look would cause my heart to flutter, even after being married for several years. I grew up admiring their love for each other. Now that I was settled into my promotion, I would have more time to date; therefore, I was going to add ‘going on a date at least once a week’ to my New Year’s resolution.

The next evening, I was on my way home to Alaska. I was excited to see my family, relax, and play Uno to the wee hours of the morning. Knowing I wouldn’t want to catch an early flight the morning after margarita night, I’d booked a later flight to fly into Anchorage. As soon as I stepped off the plane a little after six, I headed to baggage claim where I knew my parents would be waiting for me. The moment I saw them, I rushed into my father’s arms.

Even at twenty-eight, I was still a Daddy’s girl at heart. Growing up, I felt as though I was his favorite. He’d take me to work with him, and every Christmas, even to this day, I was responsible for handing out the bonus checks to everyone on Christmas Eve.

“Hey, Daddy,” I said against his chest.

“Sunshine,” he greeted back, love shining in his grey eyes and an Irish accent telling me I was home.

Then I moved to my mother and hugged her as well. “Hey, Mom.”

We pulled apart. “Leggings?” she asked in disgust as she turned up her pointy nose. That gesture, oddly enough, told me I was home too.

I stepped back and ignored her question. “Are Al and Betha home already?” My brother and sister were still in college. Alastair was in his fourth year at Penn State, and Betha was in her first year at Arizona State.

“They both got in last night,” Mother responded.

“I can’t wait to kick their butt at Uno,” I replied as we waited for my bag to come out of the baggage claim.

The holidays weren’t just for spending time with family. It was about my winning at every game we played at night. Growing up, the three of us were competitive. I was the track star, Al was a strong wrestler, and Betha had lightning fast reflexes when it came to field hockey. Our competitiveness ran over into whatever we did. Even card games, though Dad was the most competitive. We’d rope him into playing to help him unwind after a long day at OBB, and he’d cheat and just laugh when he got caught.

Dad grabbed my bag once it came down the belt, and then we walked to the garage and headed to my childhood home almost an hour away in Burn Falls.

The moment I stepped into my parents’ house, the smell of home cooking filled my nose. “Did Al and Betha make dinner?” I teased.

They both turned their heads from the TV and stood the moment they saw me. “Yeah right,” Alastair said and opened his arms. I stepped into them and hugged his strong frame, ruffling his mop top of curly brown hair as I always did when I saw him.