Page 83 of One More Heartbeat


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ZARA

I putthe hammer in the toolbox on the workbench and stretch my torso from side to side. I’m not hungry, but it’s already afternoon, and after all the work I’ve been doing on the expansion this morning, I should eat something. Plus, I need to make a bunch of calls regarding the grand reopening celebration for Picnic & Treats.

It’s a sunny day, with a few wispy strands of cotton-like clouds in the sky. Might as well make those calls at the park while I enjoy the warm weather, before I drive to Simone’s house to meet her two foster girls. Simone, Emily, Jess, Avery, and I will also be discussing ideas on how P&T can support women-owned businesses in the area. Small businesses like Simone and Emily run.

I retrieve my bag from my desk and head out. It’s Saturday, and the only reason I’m here is because of the expansion. Otherwise, I would have bailed a few hours ago, after I made the lunchtime specials on today’s menu.

I walk along Main Street, the pain in my body manageable compared to this morning. The stiffness in my muscles is also less noticeable.

A steady flow of vehicles slowly drives past, obeying the speed limit. It’s the typical weekend traffic at this time of year, with outsiders comingto spend a day sightseeing, hiking, climbing, or canoeing in the mountains.

The sidewalk is busy with tourists and locals checking out the various stores. Several yards ahead of me, Athena is crouched next to Peony’s stroller.

“Krista!” someone calls out farther down the sidewalk. The voice is loud enough to startle a few people, including Athena, who jerks her head in the direction of the voice.

She stands, her shoulders stiff with tension, but she hasn’t yet noticed me.

Athena might not have seen me, but the same can’t be said for Garrett’s daughter. A wide grin breaks out on her face, and she zealously waves at me with both hands. “Za-wa.”

That gets Athena’s attention. She turns her head my way, but not as fast as she did when someone called out a few seconds ago.

“Hey, Peony. Athena.” I approach them and lower to a crouch, holding the side of the stroller to keep my balance. “And good afternoon to you, Poppy. Where are the three of you off to?”

I flash Athena my friendliest smile. I’ve seen her a handful of times since she arrived in Maple Ridge, but we haven’t had a chance to get to know each other.

From what I can tell, she could use some friends. She barely leaves Garrett’s house during her off hours. Of course, it doesn’t help he’s on a deadline and she’s been working a lot of overtime.

“We were just going for a walk,” she explains. “To the library.”

My knees and hips scream for me to straighten, and I do as they demand. “You walked all the way here?” That’s a five-mile hike from Garrett’s. Athena doesn’t drive. According to Garrett, she’s waiting for all the documents she lost in the fire to be reissued.

Athena shrugs. “It’s a nice day. And Joanne is picking us up soon and will drop us off at home.”

“I bet she’s excited to spend time with her granddaughter.” Garrett told me she’s beyond thrilled to finally have a grandchild.

Athena’s eyes search my face, and the thin wall she has erected between us seems a little chillier than normal. “She is.”

Her hand goes to the pendant around her neck, and her fingers trace over the flowers etched in the silver. And just like that, the chill in her eyes thaws a tiny amount, and an ounce of tension drains from her shoulders.

“That’s a pretty locket. Does it have special meaning for you?” I haven’t seen her without it on, but that doesn’t mean anything. It’s not like I see her all the time.

She doesn’t respond, so I pull the tiny silver, oak-tree charm from under the neckline of my T-shirt. “My grandmother gave me this. The oak tree symbolizes strength and wisdom and reminds us we’re connected to nature.” It was my birthday present from Mimi when I turned six, but I started wearing it again after she died late last year. “It makes me feel closer to her,” I explain.

“It’s pretty.” Athena fingers her locket once more. “The love of my life gave this to me.” A sad smile bends the corners of her mouth.

“He did? Does he live near Maple Ridge?” Or do they have a long-distance relationship going on between them?

Her smile doesn’t go anywhere; it just seems sadder now. “Heaven.”

Oh.“I’m so sorry for your loss. My grandmother’s dead too.” I shift on my feet, the discomfort in my hips, lower back, and knees growing more intense now that I’m standing still. “So, you have the afternoon off? Once Joanne picks up Peony?”

“I do.” The sadness in Athena’s voice is palpable. It could be because she misses her love. Or her friends. Or because of any number of things. I doubt it’s because she has the afternoon free.

“Have you been to Barside Brewery? It’s a bar the sister of one of my friends owns. She and her girlfriend own and run it. Maybe you and I could go there for a drink. Say in an hour?” I have time to do that and make my calls before I meet my friends at Simone’s house.

“I…I don’t know.”

“I bet Emily would love to join us. Have you met Em yet?”