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Chapter Two
Laurel managed to make it out of Todd’s office and into her car before she fell apart. The tears she’d kept at bay welled up and trickled down her cheeks, threatening to become a flood. Yes, it had been a crap job, but she’d needed it if she and her kids were ever going to get into better accommodations.
She was tired. Bone-deep tired. But she’d been making it. Now she’d have to find another second job and finding the first one had been damn near impossible.
She tried to look at the bright side. She could spend more time with her kids, and that was a huge plus. She wouldn’t have to worry about finding a sitter, one who was dependable. Her current sitter canceled more often than not and then she’d have to ask her brothers for help. They never seemed to mind, but she was horribly aware that they would never act like she was taking advantage of them, even if they felt she was. If the worst happened she knew she could borrow money from them, but she didn’t want them to have to pay for her mistakes. Like marrying Stan. No, if her failed marriage had taught her anything it was that she had to depend solely on herself.
Her family was her responsibility. If she hadn’t had her ex-husband’s debt to pay off, she’d have been doing pretty well. But she did, so there was no point thinking about what might have been. She’d figure out something, some way to make extra money. But for now she could go pick up Cody and Katrina and take them home with her.
When her babysitter had canceled—again—she’d asked her brother Harlan and his wife, Savannah, if they could keep the kids. They had offered to keep the children overnight and she’d agreed, knowing she’d be late getting home. But it was early enough that she could still pick them up. She called Savannah.
“Hi, Savannah,” she said when her sister-in-law answered. “I got off early so I thought I’d come get the children.”
“Do you have to? We’re in the middle of a movie and we promised them ice cream afterward. Harlan’s already brought it home.” Savannah laughed. “You know how your brother is about his ice cream.”
“You’re sweet, but are you sure?”
“Yes, of course. Don’t forget we planned to take them to the zoo in Johnson City tomorrow.”
“Oh, I’d forgotten that.” There was an exotic zoo in the nearby town and Cody and Katrina had never been. She couldn’t disappoint them. “If you’re sure they’re not too much trouble.”
“No, of course not,” Savannah said. “We’ve been having a great time. Is everything okay? You sound stressed.” She paused and added, “Why are you off early?”
Damn it. She’d have to tell everyone soon anyway. “I lost my job.”
“Oh, no! What happened?”
“It’s a long story. I—I can’t talk about it right now.” Because she’d start crying again and she hated to cry. She’d cried enough during her marriage to last her a lifetime.
“I’m so sorry, Laurel. Is there anything we can do?”
“No, but thanks. I’ll figure something out. But about the kids—”
“Don’t worry about them. Take this time for yourself. Go do something fun. Tomorrow is soon enough to worry about the future.”
Savannah had a point. She couldn’t do anything tonight. “If you’re sure.”
“I’m sure. We’ll bring the kids back tomorrow evening. In the meantime, do something to take your mind off your troubles.”
Laurel thanked her and hung up. So, her children were taken care of for the night. She was feeling restless, reckless, and depressed. She had money from some of her tips in her pocket. Not a lot but enough for a drink or two. She turned on the interior lights and checked her face in the mirror. Luckily, she didn’t wear a lot of makeup, so she was able to wipe away the mascara that had run and put on some lipstick. She looked okay, she thought. She got out of the car, locked it, crossed the two streets to get to the Square and headed to Booze’s. It’s not every day you lose your second job.
Booze’s was crowded. No surprise since it was Saturday night and the oldest bar in town was a very popular place. Luckily, she found a seat at the bar. “Margarita, rocks, no salt,” she told the bartender, Kirk.
“Coming right up.” He came back shortly with her drink. “Want to run a tab?”
“Sure. Why not?” She could nurse a couple of drinks for a long time. She didn’t need to be in a hurry to get home. She could sit here until closing if she wanted. So what if there were only six cabs and no Ubers in Whiskey River? She didn’t plan on having enough to drink to need one.
“I take it the margaritas are good?”
Laurel turned around to see a tall man around her age leaning against the bar. She didn’t know him but he was cute and friendly. So she smiled at him. “They are. Really good.”
“Can I buy you another?”
She looked at her glass, surprised to see she’d almost finished it. What harm was there in flirting a little? “Sure.” She tipped up her glass and finished her drink.
He signaled to Kirk. “Another round for the lady and a margarita on the rocks for me. With salt.” He smiled at her and offered a hand. “Nathan Kershaw.”
“Laurel Lewis,” she said, shaking his hand. “I don’t know you.”
