“Because you spent over half of your life in love with the boy. Don’t be so hard on yourself, Charlee. Even though it’s been a long time, seeing someone again who caused such a deep hurt is bound to bring up some buried feelings.” Fern reached over to pat my back.
“Kenny tried to talk to me, and then Ashley interrupted with something about Nicky. I know she did it on purpose. She could have talked to Kenny anytime about their daughter, but she chose when he was with me to do it.” I picked up a spatula and flipped the crepe, trying to replace my pain with anger instead.
“I imagine Ashley still feels possessive where you’re concerned. After all, Kenny loved you. He just married her because he’d gotten her pregnant.”
Grabbing a plate off the shelf, I slid the crepe onto it. “That doesn’t make me feel better.”
“I know,” Fern sighed. “Honestly, right now I don’t think there’s anything that’s going to make it better.”
I nodded, and handed my aunt the plate with the first crepe.
“Yum,” Fern said, dipping her head to inhale the steaming pancake. “You need to come visit me more often. I love these.”
I smiled for the first time that morning, and went back to frying crepes.
“Actually,” Fern mumbled between bites. “I thought of something that will help you feel better. Well, two things actually.”
“What?”
“A date with the sheriff and snuggling with Mozzarella and Cheddar.”
I turned around abruptly to face Fern where she sat at the breakfast bar. “We’ll get back to the sheriff, but why would I want to snuggle with cheese?”
“They’re my alpacas!” Fern beamed. “I’ve got four. Havarti, Gouda, Mozzarella, and Cheddar.”
“You have alpacas? How did I not know this?” I asked, thoroughly confused. Returning to the stove, I scooped another crepe and set it on Fern’s plate.
“Well, I’ve only had them a few weeks and it was kind of a spur-of-the-moment thing. See, this couple that lived outside of town had a hobby farm, and they were selling and moving to Eugene to be closer to their kids. I’ve always wanted alpacas, and since my goats didn’t work out, I thought why not?”
“Wait, you got rid of the goats? And here I was excited to do some goat yoga,” I lamented.
“Yes, it was really terrible. I’m still upset over it,” Fern huffed. “A few months ago, during one of the yoga sessions, a few of the goats escaped and went next door to Earl’s. He was livid and called the cops.”
“Seriously? It was an accident.”
“Yes, well,” Fern looked a little sheepish. “It had happened several other times. And the last time, I wasn’t home, and the yoga instructor was unable to get them back. They wiped out half of Earl’s vegetable garden.”
“Oh, I see.” I turned off the stove, picked up the remaining crepes, and went to sit by Fern at the counter. “But did you really have to get rid of them?”
“Well, I didn’t want to, but Earl threatened to press charges, and your brother Noah said it would be best if I got rid of them, since I couldn’t guarantee they wouldn’t get loose again.”
I could see my attorney brother saying something like that. He was always about minimizing risk, which usually meant minimizing fun as well.
“All right, so now you have alpacas.” I took a sip of coffee.
“Yes, and I’m enjoying them much more than the goats. And so far, no escapees.” Fern lifted her hand and crossed her fingers for luck.
“I can’t wait to meet them.” I picked up my fork and cut into the crepe.
“So, about Sheriff Walker,” my aunt began.
I shook my head.
“He’s drop-dead gorgeous, and he’s 6’ 5”. Charlee!” my aunt gasped. “You could wear heels and still have to look up! He’s the perfect man.”
I dropped my fork with a clank and stared at her. “And he’s with Ashley.”
Fern’s face twisted in shock. “No.”
“I saw them walk in to the party together last night.”
Fern waved her hand dismissively. “Oh, that’s nothing. They probably just arrived around the same time. I’m pretty sure he’s single.” She polished off her last bite of crepe. “But he won’t be for long.”
“Okay, I’m sure he’s a nice guy. But I don’t live here.” I know Fern had good intentions, wanting me to settle down with a good man, preferably in Rockfish Bay, but it wasn’t that simple.
“You could move back,” Fern suggested.
“And do what?”
“Start that catering business you’ve been planning since you were fourteen,” she said simply, like there weren’t a million things preventing that from happening.
“Fern, that was a long time ago. Things change.” My shoulders slumped, feeling like I was admitting defeat before I let myself venture down that road again.
It had been my plan. My plan with Kenny. His family owned the cannery and ran a fishing charter business. I was going to finish college and culinary school, then come back and start my own business. Kenny and I were going to get married, and he was going to supply the fish and seafood, and we were going to live happily ever after. What a naive, childish dream.
“Charlee, if you want to start your own business, I’ll help you. I’ve got the funds, and I’d love to have you here.”
It was very tempting, hearing her voice the plans that I’d long ago abandoned and shoved from my mind. “Fern, your support means a lot to me, but I don’t think now’s a good time. But you never know, maybe someday.”
I knew if I wanted something to change, it was up to me to make it happen, but the truth was I was afraid. I just wasn’t ready to admit that out loud. But I didn’t need to; Fern already knew.
“Okay, I understand.” She slid off her stool. “Let’s go feed the alpacas!”
I glanced at her colorful robe and slippers. “Are you going to change first?”
“Oh,” Fern looked down at her feet. “Yes, I need to get my rubber boots.”
“Charlee, how was dinner?” Fern called
