Not Alone Read online

“A little rowdy? Girl, a little rowdy is what you get when McDonald’s gives you an incomplete order. You on the other hand get full on rambunctious!” Tessa clarified.

  “Oh whatever,” I said while waving her off. “You are so full of it. Let’s go get our seats so I can watch my son kick butt and take names.”

  ---~~~---

  Later, after Tucker’s team won their game, I took him to his favorite pizza place, DeNiro’s. No relation to the actor. Toby, Tessa, and Brock met us there.

  “Tuck here’s some money. Why don’t you go and play some games while I talk to Uncle Toby and Auntie Tessa before I head to work.”

  “Thanks mom!” Tucker flew out of the bench seat towards his favorite arcade game.

  “So, Corbin asked me out last night,” I said to one on in particular. I knew they would freak out, especially since I haven’t dated since Bryce died. They think I was still stuck on him, but in all actuality they couldn’t be further from the truth. I am not naïve enough to think that Bryce would change and things would have gone back to the way they were. I would’ve eventually left Bryce, but the accident happened, making it a moot issue.

  “Well, I hope you said no. Corbin kind of freaks me out,” Tess said.

  “Thank god! I thought I was the only one who thought that so I just kept it to myself. You know, I’m not one to bad mouth someone, well at least not out loud,” I explained, “but yes, I told him no. Reason number one is, I’m just not at that point to where I want to start dating again. Hell, Bryce was the only person I’ve ever dated. I wouldn’t know what in the world to do. And the second reason, look at me. Who would want to date me?”

  “Well, obviously you need your head examined,” Toby threw out. “You are a beautiful woman, inside and out. You are an amazing mother. Face it girlie, you are a catch. Hell, if I was straight, I’d be on the Emmy train, but I’m not so it’s whatever,” he finished while waving his hand around.

  Snorting, Tessa broke in, “Em, numerous men have asked you out, and you always turn them down. The point is, don’t you think it’s time to get back into the dating world? I don’t like seeing you lonely.” Tessa’s eyes looked down towards the table.

  “I understand what you guys are saying, but dating is just not for me, I have too much on my plate. And I’m not lonely, I have Tucker and you guys,” I said while tugging on my necklace. They knew I was lying. I was lonely, but I wasn’t ready to get my heart broken again. Once was enough for a lifetime.

  Toby perked up and threw Tessa a glance, “I know who you can date!” he shrieked while clapping his hands together. Tessa started grinning, apparently clued in on the secret.

  “Grady!” They both yelled in unison.

  ---~~~---

  Moving around the bookstore, cleaning up from the daily traffic, it was almost closing time. Being a Saturday, we stayed open until nine. I was working with Miles, my part-time employee. Miles was a twenty year old college student who preferred to work nights and weekends, which worked out well for me since I have Tucker. Miles was a good looking kid, he was almost six foot tall, had shaggy hair that curled around his neck, and he had kind eyes. He was one of my two favorite employees. Okay. Okay. I only had two employees, and they are both equally amazing, for different reasons.

  “Hey Miles, I’m going to run back and get the vacuum, could you start cashing out the register?”

  “Sure thing, Em!” That Miles was such a nice kid and an amazing worker.

  Thinking back to the earlier conversation at DeNiro’s, I could not believe my friends suggested I date Grady. I didn’t even think for one minute that Grady would go for a girl like me. The knowing look they gave each other said otherwise. I was out of the loop.

  I hated being out of the loop.

  Why was I even thinking about Grady? I’d sworn off men. No dating for me, nuh unh, no way.

  I started vacuuming and didn’t even hear the phone ring. Miles clasped me on my shoulder, and jumping I turned off the vacuum and whirled around towards him.

  “Holy moly you scared me, Miles!”

  “Sorry Em, but the bar called and said your dad is there.”

  Letting out an exasperated sigh, I knew what that meant. Dad was drunk at Finnegan’s and I had to get him home, again. Luckily, and unluckily, Tucker was staying at Toby’s, so he wouldn’t have to witness a belligerent Poppy. Normally I could call Toby for back up, but that won’t happen tonight.

  Grabbing my purse and keys, I muttered, “Miles do you mind locking up for me?”

  “No problem, Emmy, go do what you need to do.” Nice kid, I thought to myself.

  Heading out the door and towards my van, I began to wonder what it would be like to have a normal life. A leg that wasn’t mangled and caused me to walk like a gimp, a loving husband, partner, and father to Tucker, a father who didn’t need to be picked up from the bar every weekend because he was so drunk he could hardly stand. I thanked the lord for my bookstore and Tucker, and of course my friends, because they were my normal.

  Chapter Four

  Grady

  “I’m going to have to cut you off, sir,” I tried explaining to the very drunk, very unruly customer.

  “No, dammmit give me a..a..anoer,” he slurred. He was very entertaining, trying to pick up chicks half of his age. He was a very rotund, balding man in his early sixties, I believe. He reeked of booze but he still had an air of authority about him.

  “Uncle Mac,” I yelled, trying to get him to deal with the drunk or to help with the other customers.

  “Oh hell,” Uncle Mac said, “that’s Sheriff Johnston. Well, ex-Sherriff, since he’s retired now. Now Grady, go by the phone. You’ll see a number for Turn the Page bookstore. Call it and tell them that Sam is here, and they’ll know what I mean,” he added.

  Okay, I thought to myself, I guess this is a regular occurrence for Sam to have a number plastered next to the phone so we could have him picked up. I turned my back on Uncle Mac and Sheriff Johnston just as he fell off of the stool. At this rate, we would be scraping him up off of the floor. That man didn’t know when to cut himself off.

  Locating the number, I called the bookstore. “Turn the Page bookstore, this is Miles, how can I help you?” a young man greeted me when he answered the phone.

  “Uh, yah, this is Finnegan’s and Sheriff Johnston is here,” I said by way of a reply.

  “Shit, again? Ok, I’ll let the boss know, thanks,” and he hung up.

  Well, that was done. Hopefully it wouldn’t take them too long to get this guy outta here. I guess this shit was to be expected since it came with the territory.

  Walking back over to Uncle Mac, I helped out the next customer. It was busy for a Saturday, which is a good thing, but it was just me and Uncle Mac working, so we’ve been hauling ass all night. The tips were nice and there have been some seriously hot chicks coming up to flirt with me. Of course, I’d lay on the charm, but not a single one of the big busted, desperate girls caught my attention. No, that had been taken by Emmalynne when I met her last night. Realizing I’d checked out, again, which seemed to be happening more so since yesterday, I got back to mixing drinks.

  “Daddy, what are you doing here again? Didn’t they kick you out last week?” A small voice said. I knew that voice.

  “They kick me out every week, but I’m Sheriff Johnston, and no one can keep me out for too long,” he replied. Dumbass.

  Turning around once I heard that voice, I looked straight into the eyes of none other than the woman who has occupied my mind since last night.

  “Emmalynne this is your dad?” I asked somewhat bewildered.

  “Uh yeah,” she looked down as a blush crept up her cheeks. Shit, she was embarrassed.

  “Come on daddy, you are coming to my house tonight.” She tried to tug him off of the stool, almost losing her balance.

  “Here, let me help you get him out to your car,” I offered as I rounded the bar to drag her drunk of a father outside.

  “Thanks, Grady I app
reciate it. I’m not the steadiest person on my feet even when I’m sober.”

  “Who would be, trying to cart around a drunk man out by themselves. He is practically dead weight,” I said, trying to make her feel better. I wanted to see that smile again. She looked so embarrassed to be having to play the role of parent to her own father.

  Heading out to her vehicle, I saw her sliding open the side door of her van. “Just put him back here please, I’ll let him sleep it off some before I try to get him inside my house.” Once getting him settled into the van, she turned and said, “Thanks again for your help Grady. I’m so sorry about this. He constantly tells me that he will get help, but it seems like a lost cause.” She looked towards the ground.

  “Emmalynne, it was my pleasure, and please don’t apologize for him. It didn’t turn out all bad, I got to see you again,” I told her and she turned her eyes up towards me, then she smiled. Love that smile.

  I watched her pull out of Finnegan’s parking lot and take off down the street. That smile was magical. I wanted to make it my mission to get to know her and to get her to smile like that just for me, all the time. It was time to make my move.

  Chapter Five

  Emmalynne

  I was going to kick my dad’s ass, once he awoke from his drunken stupor. Not only for making me pick him up, again, from Finnegan’s, but for making me feel embarrassed of him in front of Grady. Just one look at that man and he made my stomach do a backflip. My first instinct was to flirt with him, but then that just made me feel even more embarrassed, considering it had been years since I’d flirted. I think I’d forgotten how.

  Shaking my dad to try to wake him from his nap, I hollered, “Come on get up dad, so we can get you in bed. You can go back to sleep once we are inside.” Talking to him while he is passed out was like talking to a brick wall but somehow, the Gods were listening to me, and I was able to get him up.

  He staggered his way into my house and made it as far as the couch. Where he face-planted on it and was immediately out again.

  Walking through my living room into the kitchen, I glanced at my old-fashioned kitty cat clock on the wall, the one where the eyes and tail moves. Man, I loved that clock. I decided to get to work baking for tomorrow. I was planning on making gooey butter cake. Butter and powdered sugar, no one could resist.

  Two years ago, I decided to remodel my kitchen, and it was a nightmare. I really went overboard by putting in two stainless steel ovens and a new stainless steel refrigerator. Complete with granite counter tops, it was a bakers dream. My kitchen definitely served its purpose. I baked in it every day, sometimes more, and I cooked dinner just about every night. Toby, Tessa, Mikey, Brock, and my dad were often in attendance.

  Grabbing the ingredients I needed from the fridge, I heard the cutesy text message chime from my phone. Setting all the ingredients on the counter, I grabbed my purse and got about trying to locate my phone.

  I loved purses.

  I especially loved big purses.

  I seemed to have everything but the kitchen-sink in my purse. Although, with how huge my purse was, it could easily be arranged. You never knew when you may need something and I have a ninety percent chance of having that item in my purse. That being said, it usually took me ten minutes plus to find anything in the darn thing.

  Removing my wallet, checkbook, a first-aid kit, too many of Tucker’s matchbox cars to count, I finally uncovered my phone.

  Sliding my finger across the screen, I unlock it to find a text from an unknown number.

  Unknown: Did you and your dad make it home ok?

  Me: Umm…Do I know you?

  Unknown: This is Grady

  Oh. My. God!

  How?

  Who?

  TESSA!!!!!

  Me: Grady? Yes, we made it to my house safely. Thanks for asking. How did you get my number?

  Programming his number into my phone, I knew exactly who passed my number along to Grady. And believe me, when I get my hands on Tessa, my so called friend IT. WAS. ON.

  Grady: I have my ways so don’t you worry your pretty little head about it. ;) So, what are you up to?

  Did he just call me pretty? My head pretty? And a winky face? My tummy was doing major backflips. Oh, snap out of it Em! It’s a freaking text message and an expression, nothing more!

  Me: I am getting ready to make Gooey Butter Cake to bring to the store tomorrow. How about you?

  Grady: Gooey Butter Cake you say? That is my favorite. Perhaps I’ll come in for some. Where is this store of yours?

  Oh. My. God! He wants to come to my store! EEK!

  Me: Turn the Page is on Franklin St., only a few blocks from the bar.

  Grady: Perhaps I will see you tomorrow. Sweet dreams, Emmalynne.

  Me: I certainly hope to see you. I will save some for you just in case ;) Goodnight, Grady.

  Oh my, I think I just flirted with Grady. No, I know I did.

  What am I doing? Seriously.

  Now, I had to call my dearest best friend… Scrolling through my contacts list I landed upon Tessa, the traitor. After three rings Tessa answered, “Hey girlie, what’s up?”

  “You know darn good and well what’s up! How could you give Grady my number?” I screamed through the phone, not caring one bit if it woke up my dad. He deserved my wrath as well.

  “Well, I knew you wouldn’t give it to him if given the opportunity. So, I helped out a little, what’s the big deal?”

  “The big deal is he just texted me and now he is saying that he is coming into the store tomorrow!” My tone was escalating.

  “EEK!!” Tessa screeched. “He likes you! I knew it! Oh Emmy, this is great news.”

  “No, Tessa he doesn’t like me, he was just concerned because I had to pick up my dad drunk from the bar. Again. And he likes Gooey Butter Cake, which is what I’m making for the store tomorrow. And even if he did like me, which he does not, I’m not interested,” I lied while twirling my necklace. At least she couldn’t see me.

  “Girl, you may need to get your eyes checked ‘cause that boy is FINE! Even I’m interested, and I’m a happily married woman.” Ugh, she really needed to stop talking. I’m done, over it- this whole day!

  “Tessa Renee Monroe, mark my words, I will get you for this. You had better watch your back!” I threatened her, but in all honestly I was all talk.

  I heard her bust out laughing as I hung up on her. Why couldn’t my friends let me live my life in peace? I didn’t need a man, not even the serious piece of hunk that was Grady Finnegan. I was supremely agitated and I didn’t even think baking would soothe my nerves. Nope, baking could wait until the morning. This called for drastic measures. I needed my kindle and a new book boyfriend, PRONTO! Now I just had to dig through my purse to find it.

  UGH!

  Chapter Six

  Emmalynne

  “Rose will you please cover the front desk while I straighten some of these books?” I said to Rose, my full-time employee. She was a true sweetheart. She had been with me since the beginning, when I first opened Turn the Page four years ago. Rose was a glamorous woman who was like a second grandmother to me. She was in her late seventies and was a dainty thing, not only in height but in build. Her eyes always had a magical twinkle in them. She had been married to her husband Gus for sixty years and they had the kind of love that you read about in fairytales. It was nice to know that there were still good men out there; Toby, Brock, and Gus- and I was glad Tucker was able to see that.

  “Sure, deary,” she replied. Rose wasn’t much for talking but when she did it was usually with wisdom to live by.

  Trying to appear busy I thought back to my morning. I knew I had to talk to my father again, about trying to get help with his drinking. This was becoming a nuisance. He reassured me, yet again, that he would go seek counseling or at least attend an AA meeting. My next step wouldn’t be something I was proud of, but I wouldn’t be left with much of a choice. An ultimatum: either getting help or stay away from Tucker.
I knew in my heart that he would choose Tuck, but there was a niggling suspicion in the back of my mind that said he’d choose the alcohol.

  After dropping my father off at the bar, I came back home to bake for the store and to shower. I had to take extra precautions with my appearance today because Grady might be coming in. I didn’t know what it was about him that had me so tripped up, it was not like I knew him or anything. He had awakened something in me that I thought was buried deep, so deep you’d need a backhoe to excavate.

  So, after wrapping up the Gooey Butter Cake, I started getting ready for the day. After my shower I took extra care cleaning my face, brushing my teeth, twice, and then blow-drying and straightening my hair so it would look semi decent. Usually I was all for throwing my hair up into a bun on the top of my head. I did sort of have the whole librarian image going on: hair in a bun and glasses on my face. But absolutely no skirts, I drew the line at skirts. I normally wasn’t a makeup person, just a swipe with the mascara wand and some lip gloss and I was done.

  Lip gloss was a weakness of mine, I was sure you’d find about ten different types of lip gloss in my suitcase of a purse at any given time. I picked out my best jeans, as they made me look slimmer and any help in that department was a definite plus. I put on my new emerald green swiss-dot chiffon top and topped it off with a great pair of chunky wedges. Being a jeans and a t-shirt girl, with either Chucks or Toms, and I was set, so this was definitely dressed up for me. I just hoped no one said anything.

  My nerves were getting the better of me. Walking to the bathroom and straight to the sink, I splashed some cold water on my face. Staring at the reflection of myself in the mirror, I saw nothing special. So many thoughts were scrambling through my mind. Why did I try so hard this morning? Grady probably wouldn’t even stop by, he was just being nice. I really shouldn’t have worn these shoes, they were making my leg hurt. I could see them coming off in my near future. Hearing Rose holler for me, I pulled myself out of my rambling pity party. It was time to get back to work.