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Earlier in the week, Kane had given me Taylor’s phone number and vice versa so we could communicate about Harper. I’d sent her updates about our art projects every day, which she always ‘loved’ and responded to with funny GIFs.
I had to admit, I was very curious about the woman who Kane clearly loved and shared a child with, but claimed he had no future with. Kane was not the sort of man who let people in easily. I knew that Taylor had to be amazing for him to consider her his best friend. Admittedly, at first, I’d been a little bit jealous that she held that title and place in Kane’s heart. But the more I interacted with her, even just texting, I found that jealousy disappearing because she was so amazing. She was smart, funny, and clearly adored her daughter.
Also, I’d seen photos of her. She was, in a word, stunning. With large green eyes, full red lips, a sweetheart face shape, and dark brunette hair, she was the spitting image of Ana de Armas. Oh, and she was a doctor. If Kane wasn’t in love with her, I didn’t know how any mere mortal woman would stand a chance.
When we arrived at the park, Harper took off toward the large wooden play structure. I found a shady spot under a large oak tree and parked Otto’s chair beneath it. I laid out the plaid throw blanket, and Bandit circled three times before plopping down with a huff.
“Ruby, watch me!” Harper called out as she reached the top of the rock-climbing wall.
“Good job!” I grabbed my phone and snapped a photo of her at the top of the wall.
“You’re good with her,” Otto commented.
“Oh, thanks.” I smiled.
I’d always loved kids. Over the years, when the grind of auditions and rejections had become too much, I daydreamed about teaching dance and vocal lessons as a full-time career. It looked like those dreams might just be the ones I’d need to make come true.
“Have you ever thought about havin’ some of your own?” Otto asked.
In the city, the mid-twenties were considered too young to get married and start a family. In Wishing Well, it was practically middle-aged.
“Um, not really. I sort of, well, I was mainly focused on my career up until a few months ago.” I explained as spread the blanket out completely, disturbing Bandit just a little.
Otto nodded. I expected him to say that time was running out or that I should get my priorities straight, but instead, he smiled. “Good for you, young lady. My Margie was career-focused, too. She got her degree before we had Tim, Kane’s daddy.”
Kane’s dad had always intimidated me. At six foot six, he had a tall, imposing frame, but it was his demeanor that made him unapproachable and a little scary. In all the years I’d seen him around town, I could count on one hand the number of times I’d seen him smile. Some people had a resting bitch face; he had a resting son-of-a-bitch face. He wore a perma-scowl. The only times I’d ever seen his mouth tilt upwards were a few times when I’d had to pick my mom up at the Cow when she was too inebriated to walk home. I’d seen him laughing and talking loudly at the bar.
He passed away in a car accident about six years ago. I remember my mom mentioning something about him crashing his truck into a tree; I got the impression he’d been drunk, or high, or both.
“Ruby Rhodes!”
When I heard my name, I turned and saw one of the Turner triplets walking toward me. The triplets were a few years older than I was, but when I was growing up, I used to be able to tell them apart. Now, I had no idea. I’d heard that Maisy was married to Bentley Calhoun, so I checked the woman’s left hand as she approached me.
No ring. That narrowed it down to either Melody or Madison.
The attractive blonde smiled widely. “I heard you were still in town.”
“Yeah. I’m going to be here for the summer.”
“That’s great! I mean, that’s great news for me. I’m in charge of the community center’s summer day camp. I was wondering if you might be interested in teaching music and dance for it. It would be ages four to twelve.”
“Yes!” I exclaimed. Maybe a little too enthusiastically. I couldn’t help it. I missed my classes so much. “I’d love to.”
“Great! How does Monday, Wednesday, and Friday work for you?”
“It does, but um…” Feeling a sudden wave of self-consciousness, I glanced over at Otto beside me. He was napping or resting his eyes. I turned back and said, “I’m sure you know, but there is a video of…”
She shook her head and waved her hand dismissively. “I don’t care about that.”
“I appreciate you saying that, but I’m concerned some parents might?—”
Her friendly blue stare turned steely. “If anyone has a problem with my hires, they can take it up with me. You are an incredible talent, and anyone would be lucky to have their children taught by you.”
“Thanks.” As tears welled in my eyes, I sniffed back emotion. It had been a long time since anyone had stuck up for me.
Her phone rang, and she looked down. “Do you have your phone? Let me give you my number.” I pulled it out and handed it to her. As she typed on the screen, she asked, “Would you be able to come by the community center later today to fill out paperwork?”
“Sure.” When she handed the phone back, I glanced down and saw that it read Melody. “Thanks, again.”
