Total pages in book: 65
Estimated words: 60933 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 305(@200wpm)___ 244(@250wpm)___ 203(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60933 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 305(@200wpm)___ 244(@250wpm)___ 203(@300wpm)
There was no regret when I watched her drive away in her red Buick waving her hand out the window and smiling brightly at me while I stood on the front porch. I was making my own decisions, and I was happy about them. I had never truly been happy in Nashville. I had been restless most of the time.
Looking around the small flower beds, which needed some love, a peaceful silence surrounding me, I felt content.
However, I was going to be hungry soon, and there was no food in this house. It was time for a trip to the grocery store, and I needed to face my parents and pack my things before this evening. Tonight, I intended to sleep in my house. Smiling, I went to get the two sets of keys and my purse from the kitchen counter where I had left them.
* * *
It had taken less time than I expected to deal with my parents, as they were thrilled I had taken the job in Lawton. My moving into my own place hadn’t been that dramatic at all. Papa had even loaded some of the boxes I wanted to go ahead and take tonight into the back of my car. I was inside the grocery part of the Stop and Shop in less than an hour’s time.
Momma had gone back to the kitchen to start dinner, Teresa was working at the register on the other side of the shop, where people just came in to pay for gas and not to get groceries. Two newer employees I didn’t know were working in the grocery section. I pushed my small cart down the aisles and placed the items I needed inside, feeling more excitement as I thought about my day.
“I heard there’s a new history teacher in town.” Asa’s voice broke into my thoughts, and my head swung from studying the coffee creamer to meet his curious gaze. Even after a day like today, when all had been right in my world, he still managed to affect me. Life couldn’t be completely fair, I guess. It would mess up the balance of things.
“You heard correctly,” I replied, smiling up at him. Which was easy enough. Seeing him made me want to smile.
He glanced at my shopping cart, and a small frown creased his forehead. “Didn’t know the Shop and Stop did grocery delivery these days,” he said when he looked back at me.
Confused it took me a moment to figure out what he was talking about. Then I realized he thought I was working and these items were for someone else. I laughed. “Momma has always done delivery for those who need it. However, that is not what this is,” I replied. Feeling a rush of pride, I beamed at my items. “These are my groceries. I not only have a new job in Lawton; I also have my own house,” I told him.
His eyes widened at that announcement, and that made me smile even harder. “Your own place, here in Lawton,” he repeated as if he was having trouble comprehending it. I knew coming back to this town and making a life was not something he ever wanted to do. He had bigger plans, and I was sure much better offers out there. But I wanted to be here. This was home.
“Lawton is home to me,” I told him simply.
He nodded as if he understood, but I knew he didn’t. “I’m happy for you, Ezmita.”
There was no question that he meant that. The sincerity in his eyes was clear. “Thank you.”
He looked like he was going to say something more, possibly a good-bye, but he gave me a crooked grin. “So, where’s your new place?”
“It’s almost out of town. A small yellow cottage,” I told him.
“Mrs. Potts’s place. I know it. She was my fourth-grade teacher,” he replied then. “That’s a great house.”
Of course he would know it. He was Asa Griffith; he knew everyone in Lawton, Alabama.
“Yeah, it is,” I agreed.
We stood there a moment, and I wondered if I should say more or if there was any more to say. Finally Asa sighed and gave me one last smile. “Well, I guess I need to get what I came in here for and head out before Nash starts calling, asking where I am,” Asa said.
I nodded.
“Congratulations on the job and the house,” he told me.
“Thank you,” I replied, then watched him turn and walk away. There had been so many times over the past five years I had wondered what my life would be like now if I had taken a chance with Asa. Even if I had given a long-distance relationship a chance. Would we have made it? As if the universe was reading my mind, a tall, leggy, gorgeous blonde called out Asa’s name and rushed over to him to throw her arms around his neck and began talking to him as if they were the best of friends.