Page 9 of Defenseless
Great, a divorced ex. Maybe Sabina hadn’t thought through this moving-to-California thing enough. When Stella and Hunter had first asked her, she’d declined. Her life in DC was stable and good and she needed that. She’d known she was giving up seeing Chad regularly, but she’d figured they’d still be working together. She’d still see him on occasion.
But then the postcard had come and, uncharacteristically, she’d panicked.
At the time, the thought of moving to California and being closer to Chad had steadied and grounded her. Clearly, she hadn’t thought through all the implications of what it would be like to step into his life in his hometown.
“So, Halloween?” Ethan asked.
Sabina had lost count of the number of times in the past few weeks she’d forced a smile. It was draining, and no doubt, Chad saw through it. But hopefully Ethan wouldn’t. “No plans,” she answered, flashing her teeth. “Why? Should I have plans?”
Ethan grinned. “Grandad puts on a party to end all parties. Does it every year. There’s a haunted house for the kids and food and decorations like you wouldn’t believe. When Josh’s son, Matt, and Joey and Charley hit their teenage years, he added a tent for them and their friends. Loaded it with all sorts of old-school video games, music, the works.” Ethan paused. Sabina didn’t know what memory was trickling through his mind, but for a moment, he was lost in the past. “Anyway, it’s a blast. It was my grandmother’s favorite holiday, and he’s kept the tradition up.”
“Isn’t he in his nineties?” Sabina asked. The images Ethan’s descriptions evoked were elaborate and extravagant. Not something a man in his nineties should be taking on.
“He turned ninety a few months ago. A Fourth of July baby. We had a big party then, too. He’s kind of a party guy, although he prefers to host rather than attend. Are your grandparents alive?”
“How can he host such big parties?” she asked, rolling over Ethan’s question. “Hemusthave help.”
Ethan chuckled. “He hires out the decorating and food. And also the teen tent. He’ll expect us to manage the haunted house. Unless you want to get conscripted into service, I’d avoid the cousins at all costs for the next month.”
“Kind of hard since I work with one of those cousins on a daily basis and another is currently building my server room.”
“Then it’s safe to say, your Halloween is spoken for.” Ethan raised his glass and without thought, she did the same. Everyone knew it was bad luck to raise a toast then not drink, so she took a sip then set her glass down, glancing around as she did. Chad was still playing pool with Josh while Ethan’s brother, Asher, was chatting with Oscar, the owner of the Dirty Boom. Jen Fisher and the other man who’d been at the pool table earlier had moved to the bar. They looked similar enough that Sabina wondered if he was the brother Ethan had mentioned.
Mystery Lake wasn’t so small that everyone knew everyone, but it was small enough that it was easy to see that these people were acommunity. She’d had a community—of sorts—in DC. She’d had her work friends, and, with the exception of Chad, they were a sociable bunch. They went out on weekends, had cookouts, and even formed a softball team. Not that she played. There were a lot of things she was good at; softball wasn’t one of them. But here, she had none of that. Granted, it had only been a few weeks since she’d moved, but she had to start somewhere.
“Ethan?”
“Sabina.”
She rolled her eyes and shook her head. “Can I ask for your help with something?”
He sat up immediately, and Sabina felt a rather disconcerting sensation of Ethan’s attention waking up and zeroing in on her. Like a predator who’s spotted its prey.
“Of course,” he said.
Her gaze skittered around the room again, before landing back on Ethan’s. “I want to get involved in the community. This is my home now, and I want to be a part of it. But I’m not sure where to start. Can you help me?”
“Help you with what?” Chad asked, startling her. She hadn’t seen him move across the floor and yet somehow, he was standing right beside her. “Everything okay?” he pressed, taking a seat at their four-top table.
She frowned and nodded. Ethan and Chad shared a look, Ethan looking more amused than anything else.
“Everything’s fine, C,” Ethan responded. “Sabina was just asking for some advice on how to get involved in the community.”
Chad’s dark eyes remained steady on her then he blinked and looked away. Though not before he snagged Ethan’s beer and took a sip. “That’s a great idea,” he said. “I know you’re not doing it for anyone other than yourself, but Stella and Hunter hope that HICC becomes a solid member of the business community here. Having its employees engaged in the community is something I know they will support.”
“Human, animal, environment…what are you interested in?” Ethan asked.
She donated money to a number of animal shelters and rehabilitation centers. But that was the extent of her involvement in that cause. She knew herself well enough to not ever set foot in a shelter unless she wanted to walk out with a litter of kittens, two dogs, and a guinea pig or two. While the thought was appealing, she didn’t have the kind of life that could support so many living beings being dependent on her.
And while fighting climate change and protecting the environment was important, what really drew her in was people. She liked people—oh, not all people, of course. She wasn’t the kind of person who considered everyone a friend. But she generally believed that when she met someone new, it was alwayspossiblethat they might become a friend.
“People,” she answered.
“Older people, teenagers, young kids?” Chad asked. Sabina thought of the old man she saw who came to the bakery below her apartment every day. The cashier always chatted with him as much as the morning rush would allow. Sabina had even struck up a conversation or two with him. His name was Walt and he lived in the senior housing a few blocks off Main Street. She enjoyed talking with him, but it was the thought of the kids, the teenagers, that grabbed her interest. She’d long ago given up the idea of having children of her own. Her life and work weren’t conducive to it. But maybe she could be a part of a young person’s life in a different way?
“Teenagers,” she responded.
Chad frowned in thought, and Ethan began tapping a quiet tattoo on the tabletop. After about a minute, Ethan smacked his hand on the table. “I’ve got it!”
