Hello Again: Lake Chelan, #13

Chapter One

Everett Smith marched down the tarmac at Sea-Tac international airport. Behind him was eighteen years in the army. His retirement in fourteen years had been derailed with amazing news.

Janet Anderson, the first and only woman he’d ever loved, was divorced from her abusive husband. The guy had always been an asshole, but he’d managed to sweep Janet off her feet and out of Everett’s arms, before he’d graduated high school, so he’d enlisted. She’d gotten divorced two years ago, but it had taken him that long to fulfill his commitment and be discharged. She’d needed the time to heal, but he didn’t want to wait forever, she was gorgeous, and some guy could snap her up at any time.

His mom had kept him abreast of the happenings in town. Most of the time they went in one ear and out the other. But when she started talking about Janet, he’d paid closer attention. Then made plans to change his life direction.

Now he needed to convince Janet to take a chance on him.

He’d learned valuable skills as an electrical engineer that would carry into the computer business he planned to establish. Other skills were emotional and mental, primarily patience, goal setting, moving slowly but with persistence. He wouldn’t lose Janet again if he had anything to say about it.

He needed a vehicle and took a taxi to the closest dealership to the airport. He’d never spent much money on anything, but a monthly payment would improve his credit score, instead of paying cash.

He finished up at the dealership at nearly nine. He was worn out from the cross-country flight and haggling with the dealership. His mom had texted him to beg him to spend the night in Seattle instead of making the three-hour drive. He could be up early and on the road by five to drop his car off at the barge and be on the Ferry by nine-thirty.

After waiting for two years, twenty-four hours should be a minor drop in the bucket, but it seemed like forever, now that he was back in Washington State.

Mommy? Janet Anderson hid her frustration. Carrie, her nine-year-old, had been on a question roll today. Half of which Janet couldn’t answer. But she didn’t want to discourage Carrie’s eagerness to learn, so she breathed in a lungful of air and answered.

What honey?

Are you going to get married again?

The air whooshed out of her. Darn, she’d rather have been asked a science question. She could look up the answers to those. I don’t know, sweetheart. Why are you asking?

Carrie sighed, like the world was on her shoulders. The Daddy-Daughter Tea is coming up soon.

One of your uncles, or Grandpa Max would be happy to go with you.

Carrie traced the wood grain on the kitchen table with her finger. I know. But it’s not the same.

Her heart broke for her child and she cursed Brett again for being an abusive asshole and letting his children suffer for it. His being in jail was the only good thing about the whole scenario, he couldn’t hurt her or the kids, from jail.

She’d put up with his abuse far longer than she should have, and only finally had taken steps after he’d broken Gerald’s arm, the poor kid had been trying to defend her. He’d just turned eleven, had heard the scuffle, and had come downstairs to help. When Brett shoved his son into the wall, she’d had enough and had called the police.

Brett had made things worse by resisting arrest, but that was keeping him in jail longer. She’d been hospitalized for a week and had stayed with her mother and sister at her mom’s bed and breakfast. It had taken her some time to get back on her feet, physically.

Emotionally? She wasn’t sure she was there yet. The guy had done a number on her. She shook her head to dispel the thoughts. You know, sweetheart, before a person gets married, they have to meet the right man and date for a long time. I haven’t met the right man, so I won’t be married before the Daddy-Daughter Tea.

Carrie put her hand beneath her chin and leaned on it. Then I think I want Uncle Terry to go with me. He’s funny.

Her brother could be funny and since he’d recently fallen in love, he was even more cheerful. She was happy for him, he’d been a no strings kind of guy, so it was fun to see him tied down. I’m sure he will be happy to take you.

Carrie nodded. "Can I go play Adventures with Tsilly?"

Her sister’s game was a big hit in town, all the kids played it, and a lot of the adults. A new version was coming out at Christmas and Janet already had it on pre-order. Yes, you may.

As her daughter hurried off, Janet breathed a sigh of relief she’d gotten through that inquisition. She wasn’t sure if she’d ever want to be married again. She liked her independence. Sometimes she wished for someone to hold her late at night. Or someone to talk with about decisions.

Brett had never done either. It was always his way or the highway, and he never cuddled. He would demand sex from her, but then she needed to stay on her side of the bed. Her marriage had been a disaster from day one. No, she didn’t want to get married again.

Chapter Two

With the kids at her mom’s for the night, Janet could attend the ‘welcome home’ party for Deborah and Terry. They’d been in Rome for a few weeks, so everyone met at the only bar in town, to celebrate their return. Deborah was an amazing photographer and had taken pictures of Janet’s kids, as well as others for her two brand new websites.

Janet was still giddy at having her own websites, they had already increased her customer base by thirty percent. She wanted to tell Deborah the good news. Plus, she had a new trivet design she’d finished, and needed Deborah take pictures of the samples to put up on her craft website.

Nearly everyone from town was crowded into the bar. They liked to make a big deal when people came back from long trips. Not many locals left for more than the few days it took to take the ferry to Chelan for some shopping. So, when someone was gone for weeks at a time and to somewhere fascinating like Rome, everyone wanted to hear the stories.

She’d dressed in a fun and flirty top and skinny jeans. She’d almost picked out one of her more matronly outfits, the ones her ex-husband had insisted she wear. How she could still have flashbacks to that time of total subjugation, after two years, was beyond her comprehension. So instead, she’d pulled out clothes that would have sent her ex into a frenzy and wore them, like a badge of honor.

Her sister had grinned at the outfit and had sent her a thumbs up. Janet knew her sister would come over to chat with her in a few minutes, but she was busy helping her husband, who owned the bar, with the record crowd. In the meantime, Janet would sit back, and people watch. One of her favorite things to do, now that she had the freedom to do so.

The guests of honor arrived, and they wandered around the room chatting with people. When they got to her she gave her brother a quick hug and then turned her attention to his fiancé. Terry shrugged and went to talk to his best friend manning the bar. "Deborah, it’s so good to have