“You’re hauling your ass to Luna Harbor, and we’ll find something to do.”
He nods. “Fine. Are you sure you’ll be okay with Nydia around?” he insists.
“I have to be.”
Chapter Four
Nydia
Today is a good day to embrace my life and think positive thoughts.
At least, that’s what I tell myself as I make my way toward the yoga studio. I love the weather during this time of the year. I’m definitely a fall person. It’s crisp enough to wear sweaters but not so cold that I need a parka. Burnt reds, oranges, and dark yellows are some of my favorite colors. If given a choice, I’d vote to have fall all year long.
As I approach 1st Street, I spot Siobhan, my roommate and best friend, running with Iskander Cantú. I guess she didn’t come home. It’s been almost three weeks since Iskander arrived, and those two started what she likes to call the affair of a lifetime.
They don’t want to define their relationship, and I respect it. I love that for the first time in the almost three years I’ve known Siobhan, she’s happy. She actually glows. Even if her happiness is the result of being with a Cantú. Those guys don’t care about anyone’s feelings but their own.
Am I unfair to him? No.
He asked me not to compare him to his brother, Manelik. He’s like him, or maybe worse. I hate him a little, not only because he’s a Cantú, but because the last time we spoke, he hit me right where it hurt the most. Did I seriously believe that his brother would come back for me? Yes, I did before, when I was eighteen and innocent.
Not anymore.
Iskander can deny it, but he’s like the rest of his family. All the Cantús have left several broken hearts behind them while they visited the town. They also abandoned their grandfather until he became so ill he couldn’t take care of his affairs, which is pretty shitty. If they can’t be there for their grandfather, can Iskander be there for Siobhan?
When Siobhan spots me, her grin widens, and she jogs toward me. Iskander follows. So much for this being casual. They seem attached at the hip.
“Hey,” she greets me but doesn’t stop moving her legs. “I feel like I haven’t seen you in forever.”
“Three weeks, but who’s counting?” I glare at her nighttime companion. Those deep brown eyes are guarded as he looks at me.
“Nydia,” Iskander says my name politely.
“Iskander.”
“Is there a way that you two can get along?” Siobhan asks.
I look at my wrist, pretending to have a watch. “Oh, look, it’s time for me to leave. Happy running.”
Am I childish? Maybe.
I just don’t want anything to do with the Cantú siblings. They were supposed to be my friends, but when I needed them, they never showed. Ever. I’m not upset but hurt. I don’t want anything to do with them. I’m one of those people who gets attached easily. When I make a friend, I make them for life. My heart doesn’t understand that some people leave. That’s why I’m more reserved. I guard my heart more closely. Otherwise, it’ll be totally destroyed by the time I’m thirty.
As I walk past the bakery, I spot Efren Cantú, the second oldest of the siblings. He’s flirting with Penny, the new esthetician. Poor girl, she’s setting herself up for a nasty heartbreak. When he sees me, he waves. I nod cordially and continue walking.
A month ago, this town was so peaceful. I wasn’t anxious every time I walked around, afraid that I’d bump into a Cantú.
Now…they’re everywhere.
Jogging, buying pastries, or at the Wicked Luna Sports Bar. The latter is acceptable, though, since their grandfather owns it.
It’s only Efren, Fernando, and Iskander. I’m waiting for the day when Siobhan says, “By the way, I met Manelik and Myka.”
Or worse, the day I come face-to-face with either one of them.
I don’t think I’m ready for that.
My stomach churns just thinking about seeing them again. Myka and Mane were my best friends until Mane stopped being just a friend when we were teenagers. He became my first love. My first kiss. My first time, and the one who broke my heart into a billion pieces.
I’m over him.
What happened between us still hurts ten years later. I don’t love him anymore, but it’ll be too soon if I see him again in this lifetime.
Why come back when he could hire people to work for him?
When I enter the yoga studio, I take off my shoes, set them in the cupboard, and go inside the hot room.
Zoe, the yoga teacher, is already there, and she greets me with a nod and a smile. I unroll my mat and set it in the left corner, directly in front of the two mirrors. I place my feet on the mat and order myself to forget about everything and stay in the now. Nothing else is important. Not the newcomers. Not my farm. And not all the problems that keep accumulating every day. This next hour is mine. I’ll deal with my life later.
After yoga class, I take a shower, change into a pair of leggings and a shirt, and drag the duffel bag I left last night in the locker rooms to my place. I live in the northwest part of town, close to the foothills, on what used to be the Knapp Family Farm back when it belonged to my grandparents.
When I enter the house, I look at their portrait. “Hello, Grandma, Grandpa.”
They always smile back at me.
I go to the laundry room first and dump my wet clothes inside the washer. I set it up and head outside to my lab. It used to be the place where Grandpa and Grandma made cheese and bottled honey, back when this was a goat and bee farm. The bees were sold to Mr. Greene when I was in college, and I sold the goats after Grandpa died.
Now, I use it to produce my lavender products. As soon as I climb the porch’s stairs, there’s a squeak. I make a mental note to fix the steps. If I had the money, I would replace the entire porch. When I open the door, I close my eyes briefly and take in the scent. It’s magical. Lavender, honey, vanilla. Everything that is healing and sweet. I walk toward the table and open the glass containers where I left the lollipops to dry for the night. I pull out the small cellophane bags from under the table and a pair of disposable gloves.
Carefully, I place each lollipop inside a bag. Once I’m done with all three dozen, I tie a ribbon around the sticks and place them in a white box. I pile a few more things in my cart, so I can load my car. I go back to the house for my purse, lunch, and a big thermos filled with lavender tea. It’s Saturday, and hopefully, we’ll have tourists coming into town. I need the sales now more than ever.
I park on the back side of the building where my shop is located to unload everything I brought for the store. That’s when I spot Dr. Westbrook, who, instead of smoking his usual cigarette, is enjoying one of my lollipops.
“Good morning, Nydia,” he greets me as I climb out of my car.
I wave my hand. “Good morning, Doc. How are you feeling today?”
“It’s warm enough that my bones aren’t complaining.”
“You should drop by. I have an oil that will help with that.”
“I will. Do you have more gummies?”
“Not today, but I have lollipops.”