Perfect Summer by Bethany Lopez

1

Faith

One Year Later

“Come on, little bear, it’s time to go,” I called as I put the packed True and the Rainbow Kingdom lunchbox in Hope’s matching backpack.

This was the tail end of our morning routine.

Every weekday morning, we got up at six. I made sure Hope brushed her teeth and hair and got dressed in the outfit she picked out the night before. Then we had breakfast together and while I made her lunch, she got on her shoes and jacket, if necessary.

I loved routine and because I was so consistent, Hope now depended on it.

When I’d been married to her father, it seemed like our lives were in a constant state of chaos, which had made me feel like I was always living on edge. Like any little thing would, and did, set me off.

Living with an alcoholic was difficult, especially one whose moods ranged from euphoric to downright violent.

Luckily, that wasn’t our life anymore. Now we were staples of the Mason Creek community. Hope went to the K-8 grade school on Mason Creek Road downtown and I owned the beauty salon, Serenity, which was right around the corner.

“Ready,” my little blonde beauty called with a smile as we met at the front door.

I glanced down to see she was wearing two different shoes.

“Did you mean to do that?” I asked.

“Yes, Mommy,” Hope said sunnily. My girl loved to march to the beat of her own drum, and I loved that about her.

“All righty then,” I replied, helping her put her backpack on her shoulders.

I’d bought us a sweet little two-bedroom, two-bath, ranch-style home a couple months after we’d arrived in Mason Creek. I absolutely loved it. Not just the pretty blue paint job and white shutters, but the location.

It was only two blocks away from the house I grew up in where my parents still lived, and only another few blocks in the other direction from downtown, which was the heart and center of Mason Creek.

Because I had errands to run during the day, I opted to drive instead of walk, so I loaded Hope into her car seat in the back of my blue Volvo hatchback before moving to the driver’s side and getting in.

We drove the short trip to Hope’s school, where I followed the carpool line to drop her off with one of the volunteers waiting at the front of the school.

“Have a good day, sweetie,” I called as she hopped out. “Love you.”

“I love you, too, Mommy,” she said as the volunteer closed the door and gave me a little wave.

Glancing at the clock, I decided I had time to grab coffee before heading into the salon, so I turned my car toward Town Square and searched for a parking spot close to Java Jitters.

“Yes,” I cried when I found a spot close.

I looked both ways as I crossed the street, lifting a hand in greeting to the people who were already out walking along Town Square this early in the morning.

I took a deep breath as I entered the coffee shop, loving the sweet and savory smells that always lingered in the air like the best possible perfume.

Most of the tables were filled and there was a small line for the register, so I moved through the dining area to secure my place as I looked at up at the menu. I should know it by heart, I’d been in enough times over the last year, but I still always looked up and read it over as if something may have changed.

It hadn’t, but even it if had it wouldn’t have mattered, which made my perusal of the menu so nonsensical.

I ordered the same thing. Every. Time.

“Good morning, Faith. Dirty Chai with nonfat milk?”

I smiled at Jessie, the owner, and said, “You know it.”

“How’s your little princess doing?” she asked conversationally as she took my credit card and ran.

“Oh, she’s getting so big. Can you believe she’s about to finish first grade? I have a rising second grader on my hands,” I replied, thanking her when I took my card back.

“This year is going by too fast. Have a good one,” she said.

“You, too.”

I moved over to wait for my order to be ready, glancing down at my phone when it vibrated in my hand.

I had a text from Olivia, my best friend.

Sweets, can you get away one night this week? I need a drink with my bestie… or five… in the worst possible way.

I bit my lower lip and frowned as I wondered if everything was okay.

Of course. Let me talk to my parents and I’ll get back to you.

My folks had been loving the fact that they were now my go-to babysitters for Hope and Hope absolutely adored her Mammy and Pappy. Although, up until now I’d avoided going out to Pony Up, the only bar in town, instead opting to spend my time at friends’ houses or hanging out and going to dinner and a movie. But I figured it had been long enough since I’d become Hope’s only parent and going out for drinks actually sounded fun.

Thanks, Faith!

“Faith. Dirty Chai.”

I put my phone in my back pocket and moved to get my drink.

“What’s a Dirty Chai?”

I froze and my breath caught in my throat at the man’s voice behind me.

It couldn’t be. I’d been successfully dodging my ex since the move, which was a small miracle in itself. Please tell me I’m not about to be caught off guard with a dozen pairs of eyes watching.

But of course, that’s exactly what was about to happen. It was Mason Creek, after all, and it wouldn’t be home if half the town wasn’t there to witness the queen laying eyes for the first time on her rejected king.

“Hey, Faith,” Mitch said easily, although the expression in his eyes was anything but.

“Hi, Mitch,” I replied warily.

Guess my chickens had finally come to roost.