Page 13 of Fake-Off with Fate (Love in Maple Falls #1)

ASHLYN

I would be hard pressed to say what kind of man I’m attracted to as I don’t really have a type.

Yet, there are some basic characteristics I appreciate—honesty, courtesy, hard-working, etc.

Yet as far as physicality goes, I’ve dated tall guys, not-so-tall guys, ones who are super fit, and others who would not be described as athletic.

There have been blond-haired, brown-haired and even one redhead.

But as far as I know, none of them have been afraid of bears.

Having said that, ever since leaving Maple Falls, I’ve not exactly resided in bear territory.

Driving to my parents’ house after leaving Jamie’s, I can’t help but think about what a surprisingly nice evening we had.

If I were in the market to date someone who lives in Maple Falls, he might just be at the top of my list. And as funny as it is, instead of repelling me, his bear phobia makes him seem vulnerable and human. It’s cute.

I remind myself I’m not looking to settle back at home, which means I’ll just have to enjoy Jamie’s friendship.

Hopefully, I’ll be able to help him with his adjustment process, too.

I had a difficult transition when I left for college.

Going from a town where the highway has two lanes—one in either direction— to a city where it’s common to have upwards of five lanes or more going each way, takes some adapting to.

Pulling into my parents’ driveway, I spot Clara getting out of her car. She’s carrying two large bags of groceries.

She and I really did have a nice friendship, and I would like to reconnect with her again. I call out, “Hey, Clara! Can you come over later?”

She startles like she didn’t see me. “Sorry, Ash, the kids both have plans tonight, so I’ll be playing chauffeur.” She shifts the bags for a better grip. “Soon, though, okay?”

“It’s got to be tough raising them alone,” I tell her. In addition to being divorced, Clara’s parents died when she was in college. They were in a horrible car accident that left a huge impact on Maple Falls. Obviously, it made a much greater one on their daughter.

Clara shrugs. “It’s life, right? I mean, we all have some kind of trouble.” Even though that’s true, she has a much bigger load to carry than I do.

“Mine is not finding a decent guy,” I volunteer. “At the rate I’m going, I’m not sure I’ll ever be a mother.” I’m not feeling sorry for myself so much as I’m trying to be relatable. Clara must think I have it made not having the kind of responsibilities she has.

“It has to be tough living in LA,” she says. “You know, the land where the number of inflated egos is only rivaled by the amount of people hoping to become celebrities.”

I laugh. “You got that right.” I wave to her and say, “I’ll catch you soon, okay?”

The reality of Clara’s observation leaves me wondering what I’m doing still living in Los Angeles.

But the truth is, I like it there. I like the weather, the palm trees, and having access to both the mountains and the beach.

There’s a lot of diversity, and a lot to do.

Also, the plain truth is that I love organizing things and there are enough people in LA with enough money to keep me employed until I’m old and gray .

It's weird walking into my parents’ house knowing they’re gone. Going into the kitchen I open the refrigerator and pull out a bottle of wine. After pouring myself a glass, I head back out to the front porch so I can sit on the swing and enjoy it.

That’s when it occurs to me that I haven’t checked my dad’s cell phone since I took it from him. If I’m going to pretend he’s still in town, I’d better return some messages.

There are twelve, which makes me nervous that I’m going to have a hard time keeping up this ruse. I start with the most recent. It’s from that goblin, Phillip. I really do not want to have any contact with that guy.

Phillip

Sir, I’m a little bit concerned that your daughter seems to have taken up residence in your office. She stayed long after you left, and I’m not sure that’s a good idea.

I laugh when I start to type and see that my dad has programmed his title into his phone instead of just his name.

Mayor Thompkins

Please don’t concern yourself, Phillip. As I told you, Ashlyn will be in town for a week to help me out. She has my full consent to use my office as she sees fit.

Phillip responds immediately.

Phillip

But sir, why do you need your daughter? You have me.

Mayor Thompkins

I don’t like it when you question me. Now, if we can please be done with this, I would like to get off the phone so I can take my wife to supper.

Phillip

Yes, sir.

I know this won’t be the last time I have to deal with my dad’s assistant, but I’m hoping I can find something for him to do so that he stays out of my way. That’s when I get a brilliant idea.

Mayor Thompkins

I need you to go to the fairgrounds tomorrow and make a new map of the vendors’ locations.

Phillip

We already have a map, sir.

Mayor Thompkins

I want a visual map, with photographs of where everyone will be located.

The three dot ellipses comes and goes, making it clear Phillip is having a hard time coming up with a reply. After a full two minutes he finally responds.

Phillip

Why?

Mayor Thompkins

Because that’s what I need you to do.

I have no idea what my dad’s relationship is with his assistant and while I don’t want to do anything to harm it, I also don’t need this twerp in my hair.

Phillip

Yes, sir.

The next text is from Mary-Ellen McCluskey. Not only is she my parents’ neighbor, who lives directly across the street, she’s Maple Falls’ chief purveyor of information.

Mary-Ellen

Bill, I don’t want to alarm you, but Alicia was throwing things all over your front yard yesterday. I didn’t contact you right away because Ashlyn came out and picked everything up. What is Ashlyn doing home? What was your wife doing? Please let me know if there’s anything I can do to help.

There’s no way our gossipy neighbor wants to help. More like she wants the dish so she can spread it around town.

Mayor Thompkins

Thank you so much for your concern, Mary-Ellen, but there’s nothing to worry about. Ashlyn is helping me out at the office this week, and Alicia was getting some things together for a yard sale. Have no fear, all is well!

I spend the next thirty minutes answering the rest of the texts from assorted townspeople. I don’t give them any direct answers to their concerns, but I try to let them know they’ve been heard.

I had no idea how much my dad has on his plate. If I’m going to succeed here, I’m going to have to treat Maple Falls like it’s one big closet in need of organization.

After finishing up, I’m tempted to text my mom at the airport to see how she and my dad are doing, but I don’t want to interrupt them. I’m hopeful that without my dad having possession of his phone, they might be busy chatting.

Before putting both of our phones away for the night, I do a brief check on world events. I scroll through any number of stories that make me want to take the first space shuttle out of here, when I come upon one headline that captures my full attention.

Hurricane Bartholomew Barrels Down on the Caribbean: Expected to Make Landfall Late Next Wee k

Shoot, maybe I should call my parents and warn them. Yet, it’s not a guarantee that the hurricane will hit Barbados. It might go north or south or even fizzle out before it reaches the land.

I decide that’s not my decision to make, so I call my mom.

When she doesn’t answer, I look up her flight info on the airline’s website and discover it departed ten minutes ago.

I guess there’s nothing I can do now. They’re sure to find out about the coming storm when they land.

If they want, they can try to change their tickets and head home.

Although, truthfully, I hope they stay and patch things up.

After all, people live through hurricanes all the time. Surely, my parents can ride out one of them.

Looking up, I realize I’m no longer alone. What in the world is Marcy doing here?