Page 33 of Fake-Off with Fate (Love in Maple Falls #1)
ASHLYN
I feel horrible about lying to Jamie about the reason I’m not coming back to Maple Falls.
The truth is, my job doesn’t start for two more weeks.
But I knew if I went back to Washington I might never be able to leave.
Also, I need to figure out where I’m going to live if the fire takes my current rental.
I slow my car down at the end of my road, and a fireman posted there motions for me to roll down my window. When I do, he tells me, “Once you leave, you won’t be allowed back in until the threat passes.”
“I know,” I tell him.
“Are you sure you have everything?” He’s making it clear he doesn’t think there will be anything to come back to.
“I have as much as I could fit in my car,” I tell him.
“Animals are all secure?”
“No animals.”
He steps aside, “Okay, then. Good luck,” he says as he waves me on.
Good luck, indeed. I’m going to need more than luck. I could use a miracle right now.
I drive slowly as I take the twists and turns that lead me out of my neighborhood toward the freeway. The hillsides are burning around me, and the feeling is surreal. It’s not like I haven’t seen similar destruction in the last decade, but this is the first time it’s affecting me so seriously.
Once I get onto the freeway, I merge onto the 134 toward Pasadena. I’ve always liked Pasadena and wonder if I might relocate there if necessary. But as most of my jobs are on the Westside I realize I’d probably be tripling my commute to work. Nothing about that sounds appealing.
As I drive through Glendale, my phone rings. I hit the button to answer it on Bluetooth.
“Hey.” It’s Jamie.
My throat tightens with emotion at the thought of not knowing when I’ll see him again. “What’s up?”
“I just wanted to let you know that I’ll move out of your parents’ tomorrow and into the lodge. I don’t want to scare them by being here when they get home.”
I totally forgot about him staying at my parents’ house. How’s that for distracted? “That’s probably a good idea,” I tell him. “I mean, I don’t think they’d mind, but if they knew you were there, they might assume something had been going on between us.”
“And then they’d demand you move home so I can make an honest woman out of you?” Is it me or does he sound like he likes that idea?
“My concern is more for you,” I tell him. “My dad might throw punches first and ask questions later.”
He teasingly asks, “What about your mom?”
“She would probably congratulate me on making such a catch.”
“You think I’m a catch?” He sounds pleased at the thought.
Traffic slows, so I veer into a faster lane. “You know you’re a catch,” I tell him plainly. “Don’t fish for a compliment.”
“You’re a catch too, Ashlyn.” He sounds so sincere, bumps spring up on my arms.
“Thank you, that’s nice of you to say. ”
“It’s the truth.”
“Well, then. We’re both catches. If we’re lucky we might both find a member of the opposite sex who appreciates us.” A wave of pure jealously washes through me at the thought of the woman who’s lucky enough to snag Jamie.
“Remember fate,” he says cryptically.
“It’s been on my mind quite a lot,” I assure him.
“I mean, remember that things happen for a reason. Even if they don’t make sense at the time.”
“If you’re talking about my house burning down, I do not accept that anything good can come from that.”
“I’m talking about everything, Ashlyn. Everything that happens in our lives is a conductor for the next thing. That’s all I’m saying.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.” Getting off at the Colorado Street exit, I tell Jamie, “I need to go. I’ll call you in a day or two, okay?”
“Call sooner if you need me,” he says.
And with that, we hang up again. Talking to Jamie feels so normal and so right, I can’t imagine not doing it multiple times a day for the rest of my life. But I also know that if I hear his voice that often, I’ll only be bringing heartache on myself. And that’s the last thing I need right now.
Dillion’s parents are very welcoming and do their best to make me feel at home. The guest room they are letting me stay in is lovely, but even so, it’s strange being so close to home without being home.
I have a hard time sleeping, but I finally conk out around three a.m. Which is why I’m still asleep at ten when my phone rings.
I groggily reach for it. “Hello?”
“Ashlyn!” It’s my dad .
“Hey, Dad. Are you home?”
“We are. Just arrived an hour ago to the find the police at the door.”
“Why were the police there?” Seriously, what else could go wrong?
“Phillip called them.” He chuckles. “He started to worry that you were up to no good and he thought you might have done away with me and your mother.”
That little poop. “Excuse me?”
“He says he’s been texting me nonstop and when he didn’t get a response after twenty-four hours, he figured something had happened to us.”
“He didn’t get a response because I was FedExing your phone back to you so it would be there when you got home.”
“I figured it was something like that when I opened the envelope on the doorstep and found my phone.”
“I don’t know how you put up with that guy, Dad. He’s a real piece of work.” I grunt loudly before sitting up and fluffing the pillows behind me.
“He’s probably going to be the next mayor of Maple Falls,” he says.
“Do not underestimate the intelligence of my hometown,” I retort. “What did you tell the police?”
“What do you think I told them? I told them we were just fine.”
It occurs to me that he hasn’t said anything about the whole Alexander MacDonald fiasco, so I ask, “Any chance you’ve been updated on what’s been going on in town while you were away?”
My father laughs. Laughs! “Your mother caught me up to speed on the flight home.”
“Are you furious with me?” I ask nervously.
“Why would I be upset with you? It sounds like you’ve done your best to put everything into motion to save Maple Falls. You’ve done a great job, honey. ”
“What if Alexander doesn’t take the money?” I want to know.
“That would have nothing to do with you,” he says. “If Mr. MacDonald doesn’t take the money then we’ll have to figure something else out. But just know I couldn’t have done a better job than you did.”
Tears unexpectedly fill my eyes. “Thanks, Dad. That’s a really nice thing to say.”
“It’s the truth. I told you I thought you’d make an excellent mayor, and you’ve proven I was right.”
“I’d be a much better mayor than Phillip,” I feel the need to tell him.
“I agree,” he says. “But being that Phillip actually wants the job and you don’t, I’m guessing he’s the one we’ll be stuck with when my term ends.”
“You have my sympathies,” I say sourly. “Marcy is going to fill you in on the details of what we’ve put into place later today. Let me know if you have any questions.”
“Will do. How are things there? Your house still standing?”
I pick up my phone and look for messages before answering, “I haven’t heard anything yet. I’ll keep you updated though.” I hurry to ask, “How are things going with you and Mom? You guys back on track?”
“One hundred percent,” he says. “I’ve been a pigheaded fool. Nothing and no one is as important to me as your mother, and I have you to thank for reminding me of that.”
“I love you guys,” I tell him. “I’d do anything for you.”
“Well, you certainly have. You’ve saved our marriage and you’ve done your best to save Maple Falls. I owe you a lot.”
“Thanks, Dad. I’m glad you guys are staying together.”
“We’re doing more than staying together,” he says. “We’re planning our next vacation. We’re thinking three weeks in Italy over Christmas.”
“Seriously? ”
“You betcha! Your mom and I had so much fun in Barbados, we can’t wait to go someplace else and make more memories.”
I don’t know who I’m talking to, but I suddenly suspect the man on the other end of the line isn’t my father at all. “You were hit by a hurricane, Dad,” I remind him.
“And it was invigorating! There’s nothing like staring death in the face to remind you about what really matters in life. Like what you must be feeling now with your house in jeopardy.”
As soon as I hear those words, I realize that I’ve been looking at this fire all wrong. I’ve been feeling sorry for myself, like I’m a victim of a horrible twist of fate. I should really be seeing this as an opportunity to make a change. I’m just not sure yet what kind of change that will be.