New Beginnings

Chapter 4

“I did. But he made it very clear he wanted nothing to do with me.”

“That is not my problem.”

“Please come back. He is going crazy without you. The necklace you gave him has a tracker in it and when he realized he couldn’t track you he lost it.”

“What? There was no tracker in the necklace. What is wrong with you? Stop making up shit.”

“I’m not. I am begging you to please come back. I am afraid of what he might do without you.”

“Not my problem, Chantelle. Goodbye.”

I hung up the phone and immediately called my carrier and changed my number. Closing the Luca and Chantelle chapter of my life. Or at least I hope.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The following morning, the train made its stop and for 6 hours so people could get off the train and site see. I spent the entire time with Charlie. We ate some amazing food and had some amazing conversation. I found myself telling him more and more about myself.

I honestly did not want the day to end, but eventually, we had to make our way back to the train. We did have dinner together again before I retired for the evening.

After dinner, I spent the evening looking for a place to rent and a new job. I put in a few online applications for both an apartment and a job. I had been saving as much money as possible so I didn’t need to tap into the money from my grandma yet, but I had to find a job soon.

I could manage for a few months with the money I saved, but it would be tight. After hours on my phone, I curled up and tried to get some sleep. Unfortunately, all I could think about was Luca. His betrayal hurt so badly. I loved him so deeply that I could feel the tightness in my chest.

I eventually fell asleep, but my sleep didn’t leave me feeling refreshed.

I had missed breakfast but made it in time for lunch.

“I missed you at breakfast,” Charlie said as I sat down.

“Sorry I didn’t sleep very well last night. I spent hours on my phone looking for a place to rent and a job.” I said, giving him a weak smile.

I watched as Charlie rubbed his chin and looked deep in thought.

“I am sure something will work out.”

“I hope so.”

After lunch, we chatted a little longer and I gave Charlie my new number.

We only had about an hour before we arrived when Charlie excused himself to take the call. I watched out the window, wishing time would slow down.

I was enjoying my time with Charlie and honestly didn’t want to think about trying to find a place to live and a job. Every time I thought about it I would get anxious.

“Sorry about that my wife and the twins are coming to pick me up and they wanted to know if I wanted to get dinner.”

“Evan and Issac?”

“Yeah you got it. Did you want to grab dinner with us?”

“Umm, are you sure I wouldn’t be a bother?”

“Of course not. It was my wife’s idea she wanted to meet the young lady who has managed to keep me from working.”

“I did?”

He chuckled. “Talking to you kept me from getting on my computer as much and working.

I couldn’t help but shake my head and smile.

A short while later, we were exiting the train. I walked next to Charlie until I heard somebody yell, “DAD.”

Charlie smiled and quickly made his way to his twins and his wife. She was extremely pretty. She had blonde hair and green eyes and the warmest smile. The twins looked more like Charlie.

They both towered over their mom and they had black hair and the same sharp features as Charlie. The only difference was Charlie had blue eyes where the boys had green, just like his wife.

He hugged each of the boys and then turned to his wife and kissed her. I heard the two boys groan.

I couldn’t help but giggle. I thought it was cute that they still loved each other with passion after 25 years of marriage.

Pulling away from Charlie, his wife looked at me and smiled. “You must be Marie.” She said as she pulled me into a big hug.

“Hi.” I said softly.

“I’m Susan and this is Evan and Issac.”

“Come on let’s get some dinner.”

We piled into Charlie’s truck that Susan drove to pick him up. We ended up at a steak house, which for some reason made me smile. It was very Charlie.

During dinner, Susan asked me so many questions and managed to embarrass the twins more than once.

Despite them being identical twins, they were polar opposites.

Evan was a little more reserved and you could see him deep in thought before he answered a question. He also had a tiny dimple on his right cheek.

Issac, on the other hand, was outspoken and said whatever came to his mind first. He didn’t have dimples but a tiny scar above his left eyebrow. Almost unnoticeable.

“How about dessert? Charlie asked, rubbing his belly.

It was not a surprise when the twins ordered dessert right away.

“So Marie..Charlie tells me you don’t have family in the area.”

“No, it’s just me.” I said, smiling.

“So what are your plans?”

“Oh well, for tonight I am going to try and find a hotel for the evening and start looking for a job in the morning.” I said, shrugging.

Susan looked over at Charlie and back to me. “Well, I hear you have experience in a bakery.”

“I do. I love baking.”

"I am looking for 2 employees if you don’t mind leaving the city and making your way to a small town.”

I looked from Charlie to Susan confused. Did she just offer me a job?

“You don’t even want to know about my experience or interviewing me?”

She chuckled. “I feel like you have been on a 3-day interview with my husband. I trust his instinct when it comes to people and he is very fond of you.”

“Do…do you have a hotel or motel in your town?”

“We do, but I have a small apartment above my shop. It’s nothing special, but our oldest lived there before he bought his own house. We can figure out the leasing details later, but I will give you a great deal on the rent.”

“Ok! Yes, I would love to work for you and rent off of you.” And just like that a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders. Sometimes things happen for a reason.