Betrayed By Him (Book Two in Paradise Mountains Series)

2. Starting Over

    Paradise Mountains was just a name on a map when Summer first heard about it. And a small one, truth be told. But that was exactly what she needed: a change of scenery. Her parents would never change their opinion about her, Cissy or her decision. And she knew that was for the best.

    So she jumped to the opportunity and grabbed with her two hands – and feet! – when she was invited to Paradise Mountains.

    She hadn’t seen Caleb Harvell in years, but all it took was an email and a skype conversation for him to lend her a hand.

    A hand, an arm, a job and a house. She was six hours of car away from home and never been happier. The town was small, but friendly. She had spent the first two nights at a local inn whose owner, Mary, was as sharp as was mouthy. She was also the owner of the next-door diner, but luckily, she seldom was there. The person behind the counter was also the cook, and if her round belly meant something, was that she was pregnant. Her quiet smile and her delicious cooking loosened up a knot on her stomach and made her truly smile for the first time in forever.

    Caleb Harvell had been her Professor at college. What made him drop out of prestigious academy and become a principal on a small town lost in the mountains, she would never know or understand; but she was grateful for it.

    It took her a few days to settle, find a kindergarten for Cissy and get to know the town. Soon she learned two things: gossip and friendly smiles were bound hand to hand in Paradise Mountains. It was a relief when her house was finally ready for her to move in.

    Cissy’s room was the first to be complete, although she seldom slept there; she still preferred sleeping with her, and she was bent for them to adjust to the new town and then sleep in separate rooms.

    An excuse as good as any, she supposed.

    She entered the school the first day after Spring break, thus replacing the old and newly retired Mrs Edwards. She had expected cold shower from the students, but things were going more or less smoothly at school and she felt contented with her life.

    Grading tests was not her idea of a Saturday night, but at this stage, it was all she had to look forward to. After putting Cissy to bed, however, it was an entirely new story. She had a date with a glass of white wine, a bowl of strawberries and Netflix.

    How pathetic was that for a 28-year-old? Going on forty, but still…

    Distracted by her thoughts, she bumped against what seemed a granite wall. Her briefcase went flying and she would have fallen, had it not been for two strong pair of hands helping her to stand.

    “Sorry, I was distracted.”

    The male voice was velvety smooth and she looked up, to its owner. And continued to look up, as the man was at least a head taller than she. He was also the proud owner of the       bluest eyes she had ever came across. The hair was cut so short it was nearly impossible to tell the colour, and although he was lean, she realised he had a lot of strenght behind the simple t-shirt.

    “I wasn’t paying attention either… Thank you.”

    She bended down on one knee, starting to gathering papers. He helped her with it, with an apologetic smile, and said:

    “I was looking for the Principal’s office, do you know where it is?”

    “Yes, down the hall, third door on the left.”

    She got up, pointing in the said direction. A door creaked and a grey head appeared.

    Caleb wasn’t old, despite his greying and receding hair. He had enough stamina in his finger to keep the order at school, whilst maintaining a jovial and smiley face. No student wanted to be on the Director’s bad side; and when boundaries were pushed, they never went until the end. But to Summer, he was more than the principal, more than a college Professor; he was a true friend.

    “I thought I heard voices.”

    Blue eyes’s face open in a huge smile and he fell on Caleb’s arms. Curiosity taken the best of her, she stopped but the two men seemed oblivious to her presence. With a mental shrug, she headed towards the exit.

    For five short seconds, her Saturday seemed to have better perspectives. Netflix and tests it had to be…