Page 18 of Rescue
Chapter 10
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Penelope
“Come on, girl! You need to loosen up!” Amy says with a smile. “Let’s rent some kayaks and head out on the lake. It’ll be just what you need to take the edge off.”
I know she means well, but I’m not sure I’m up for it. When we were younger we’d spend hours outdoors, but since I moved to LA it just hasn't been a priority. Maybe she has a point. Maybe I need to get back to my roots and do something I used to love. Once Spencer and I started dating, I spent so much time trying to be the girl he wanted that I forgot how to just be me. I’m ready to get back to that girl, again.
Now that I’m home in Piney Grove, it feels like I’m finally getting my rhythm back. It’s nice to feel needed, cared for, and loved for who I am, and my family and friends have shown that many times over. I’ve been here a little less than a month and during that time several friends including the twins have stopped in to the cafe to say hello, Mama makes sure to stop by every few days just to give me a hug and tell me how happy she is that I’m home, Nana calls multiple times a day to check in and tell me how thankful she is for me, and Amy often stops by on her way to and from work to keep me company. The town has welcomed me back into the fold and I forgot how good it felt to be here. The weather is better in Los Angeles, but nothing can beat the people here.
I smile at her, my decision made, “Should we call the twins and see if they want to come? I bet at least one of them is free.”
A look I can’t quite place flashes across Amy’s face before she quickly hides it. “Nah, let’s just have a girl’s day.” She winks at me to try to cover up her earlier reaction. I decide to let her off the hook for now. She might not be so lucky when I have her trapped on the water with me.
The weather today is perfect for an afternoon out on the water. It’s an unseasonably warm 60 degrees today and the wind is calm enough that we can enjoy the small lake without getting blown around too much. Since it’s Saturday, the cafe closed early and Amy came by since it’s her day off. She helps me finish up the cleaning and then I run upstairs to change into my white, long sleeve swim shirt and pair of purple leggings. I rummage through one of the closets here and find some old gear from my teenage years. I’m thankful when I pull out a warm vest that’ll block out the wind and an old pair of water shoes.
When I get downstairs, Amy has completely changed and is ready to go. “How did you know I would say yes?” I ask, wondering where all the clothes came from.
“I just know you, bestie,” she says, laughing. Am I that predictable? “Let’s go, before we lose any more daylight!” she says with enthusiasm and turns towards Carter’s Extreme Sporting Goods. It’s right down the street so it doesn’t make sense to drive. The lake is just down the hill from them, so we’ll pay at the store then walk down to the marina to pick up the kayaks. We’ve done this a thousand times before. When we were kids, we wouldn’t even ask. Bryant, Brody, Amy, and I would just walk up and grab what we wanted and head out on the water. I can still remember the time that we took two canoes and spent the whole day on the water without a care, and without telling anyone where we were. It wasn’t until we were bringing them back to the store that we realized our parents were worried sick. I think we all got grounded for a while. I laugh thinking about the memory.
We start the short walk to the Carter’s store, chatting about nothing in particular the whole way. I wonder idly if I’m going to run into Miles while we’re there, but it’s probably a long shot since it’s Saturday. I’ve seen him a couple of times these past few weeks, but the cafe has been so busy that we haven’t been able to really have a conversation. I think back on that night a couple weeks ago when he showed up in the parking lot. I was just going to the door to make sure I had locked it before heading upstairs for the evening when I saw him pull in. Right when I got to the door to head outside and see if he needed something, he put the truck in reverse and left as mysteriously as he came. I’m not sure what that was about, but it’s been on my mind ever since. After that evening, every time I’ve seen him there’s been a line of customers, so I haven’t had a chance to ask him about it.
I have to admit, business has been good since I’ve been home. Mom has commented a couple of times about how good the books are looking with me running things. I can’t help the feeling of satisfaction and pride that runs through me thinking about it. I know Spencer would say something about how it’s probably just the kind folks in Piney Grove feeling bad about Nana’s accident, and maybe that’s part of it, but to me it feels like I’m making a difference in her business. It gives me hope for my future.
I’ve already started making a few changes around the cafe to streamline things and make it easier for customers to grab their orders and go. Last week, Nana came by and I showed her my idea to turn the side window behind the counter into a drive thru area. If we hired someone else to run that side of the counter, we might be able to double our revenue each morning. Just thinking of the changes that could be made to modernize the business and help more people get their coffee in a timely manner makes me feel more optimistic. I may not know what’s in store for me, but I’m getting more confident each day that I can do whatever I put my mind to.
Before I know it, we’re taking the last few steps up to Carter’s Extreme Sporting Goods. I haven’t been here since I’ve been back in town and just walking in the building brings back a flood of memories from my adolescence. Not everything is the same though. It seems like while I was gone, things have gotten a new, modernized upgrade. There’s a brand new sign by the road, the paint looks fresh, and the signage and decor inside look new as well. It’s good to see the town and its businesses catching up to current times.
I can see a few employees helping people, but there’s no sign of Miles anywhere. I feel a twinge of disappointment at the fact that I’m not going to get to see him, but quickly push it down. I’m going to spend time with Amy and have a great day.
“I’ll go over to the rental counter and get the kayaks. Why don’t you see if there’s anything else we need,” I say to Amy. I’m ready to get our afternoon on the lake started. When I get to the counter, I can’t see the rental attendant so I ring the bell on the counter.
“I’ll be right out.”
The familiar voice sends tingles up my spine. Miles appears behind a shelf of ski boots. I can’t help my huge smile at seeing him. “I guess they’ll just let anyone work back here, huh?” I joke with him to try to ease my nerves. The adorable smile I get in return feels like a reward.
“If by anyone you mean a college student who was too hungover to come work his shift this morning, then yes, you’d be right. It’s not always fun being the boss,” he says. I can tell that he doesn’t really mind being here right now. “It’s not all bad though, since now I get to chat with you.” It feels a little like he’s flirting with me but I’m not sure. He could just feel comfortable with me now that we see each other so often in the cafe.
“What brings you in today?”
“Amy and I thought we’d enjoy an afternoon on the water since it’s such a nice day,” I answer. “Thought we’d do things the right way, now that we’re older, and actually come in and rent the kayaks instead of just grabbing one and heading out.”
“Awfully nice of you ladies, we wouldn’t want to have to send out a search party or anything.” Now he’s teasing me, his eyes dancing with amusement.
“They never actually sent out the search party,” contradicting him while still smiling. I’m enjoying the banter with him. It’s always so busy when he comes in that we barely have a chance to say good morning.
“No, that's right, they were just getting ready to head out when the fearless four showed up if I’m remembering correctly.”
He’s right, but I can’t let him have the win. “You’re just mad that we didn’t invite you!” We both know he was much too old to be hanging out with us. There's a 6-year difference between him and the twins and he was always way too cool to be hanging out with his little brothers and their friends.
That earns me a laugh. “You four are the reason we added locks to all the rentals down at the marina.” He gestures to a wall filled with numbers and corresponding keys. “Couldn’t steal one anymore, even if you wanted to.” He adds a wink at the end to let me know he’s still teasing. “So what have you been up to since you’ve been back in town?” His tone full of curiosity and what feels a lot like interest. I’m not sure what to do with that.
“I’ve been so busy with the cafe, so it’s been hard to find time for myself. I managed to have some fun at the Labor Day Festival a couple weeks ago. Looked like you were having fun as well, from what I could tell.”
His face reddens a little at the memory, but then he smirks. “Seems like that water gets colder every year. The guys love trying to dunk the boss, so it’s become something of a tradition for me and my dad to volunteer. It was my turn this year.”
“Aw you poor thing!” I say with sarcasm. “It didn’t look that bad.”
