Fernhill lane, p.1
Fernhill Lane, page 1
Fernhill Lane
A Huckleberry Bay Novel
Kristen Proby
Contents
Title Page
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Epilogue
About the Author
Newsletter Sign Up
Also by Kristen Proby:
Fernhill Lane
A Huckleberry Bay Novel
By
Kristen Proby
FERNHILL LANE
A Huckleberry Bay Novel
Copyright © 2022 by Kristen Proby
All Rights Reserved. This book may not be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission from the author. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. All characters and storylines are the property of the author, and your support and respect are appreciated. The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.
* * *
Cover Design: By Hang Le
Cover photo: Wander Aguiar
This is for the girls on my proof team.
Jaime, Renee, Yvonne, Katrina, and Crystal.
You are the most supportive, amazing, badass women, and I’m so grateful to you, not just for your hard work, but for all of the happiness you bring to my life.
Thank you for being you.
I love you.
Prologue
Sarah
January 1, 2000
* * *
Dear Diary,
I hope my parents don’t find this journal. Mama would probably tell me that it’s a waste of time, and I should concentrate on other things, but I think it’s fun, and it’s the only thing that I have for myself.
June, Luna, and I were up in the lighthouse, in our special place, the other day, and we found a super old diary from the 1800s. We started to read it but then decided to only read one entry at a time so that it lasts longer.
We also agreed to start our own diaries. So, here I am. What do people talk about in these things? I don’t want to say anything too personal. What if Mama does find it? I’d be in deep trouble.
Not that I won’t be, anyway. She’ll come up with a reason to be mad at me. That’s just how life is here.
I wish I could go live with Luna or June.
Anyway, the Christmas break is almost over, and it will be time to go back to school. I don’t mind it so much. I’ll get to see Tanner every day! I know he’s a whole year older than me, but he’s so handsome. And he’s really nice to me. Sometimes, he walks me home from school. Isn’t that the sweetest thing ever? I hope he had a nice Christmas.
I can hear Scott arguing with Dad again, so I’d better go see what’s up before it gets too bad. I love my little brother, and I hate that Dad can be too hard on him. He’s just a kid!
I hope I can write in this diary often. It feels kind of good to write down what I’m thinking.
TTYL,
Sarah
Chapter One
Sarah
“I forgot how busy it is in the spring,” I say to my coworker, Sunny, as I grab a wet towel to wipe off a table. “We always think of summer as being the busy season, but it’s really all the time.”
“These days it is.” She taps on the computer screen, sending an order back to the kitchen. “And I’m grateful because that means we don’t have to lay anyone off during the slow season anymore.”
“There is that.” I shoot her a smile and hurry over to clean the table and then pass by another table to take an order.
I’ve been back in Huckleberry Bay for just over six months, and every single minute of every day has been a blessing.
I’m out of an abusive marriage.
I’m back in my hometown.
Life is finally the way I’ve daydreamed it would be for more than a decade.
“Hey, Sarah.”
I’ve had two best friends since I was a child, and one of them just walked through the door.
“Hi, June. What can I getcha?”
“The usual,” she says with a sigh. “Hey, when you get home later, can you help me tear apart Grandma’s bathroom? She says there’s a leak, and I can’t find it. I need someone who doesn’t have arthritis in her back to hold the flashlight for me.”
“Sure.” I give her a smile and then cross to the computer to tap in June’s order of a cheeseburger and onion rings.
I’ve lived with June and her grandma in the big Victorian house on the cliffs outside of town since my apartment burned down, along with my friend Wolfe’s auto mechanic garage, late last fall. And I’m grateful to June and Annabelle for giving me a place to live.
I really am.
But I do not want to help tear apart anything when I’m off shift. I want to go home—somewhere quiet—elevate my swollen feet, and curl up with a glass of wine and my cat.
Still, I’ll do what she asks because I live in the house rent-free, and it’s the least I can do.
The thing is, my friends, June and Luna, along with the whole town really, have been nothing but welcoming and supportive since I arrived last fall, and I’ll do whatever it takes to show my gratitude.
Even if it means giving up my solitude for a little while.
“Hey, did you hear that we were able to finally get the insulation and drywall up in Luna’s inn?” June asks as I slide her basket of food over to her. “It actually looks like a dwelling now.”
“Luna mentioned it.” I grin and wipe my hands on my apron. “I’ve been working on renderings for the website, and I think I’m going to go over there one evening when you’re all finished so I can soak in the atmosphere. I need to get started on the paintings for the guest suites.”
“It’s so awesome that you’re doing the artwork,” June says around an onion ring. “It’s going to be killer.”
“Luna’s come up with some fun themes for the suites, and I can’t wait to get started. I’m sorry, I might be working late. We had another girl call out.”
“It’s okay,” she says and bites into her burger. “I can swing back by later and pick you up.”
June’s been nice enough to drive me to and from work for each of my shifts. Annabelle’s house is a couple of miles outside of town, and although I could walk, it’s been nice that I don’t have to.
I’m on my feet all day as it is.
“Honey, you need to go home,” Sunny says as I put in another order. “This is your third double shift in a row. I’ve got this covered until Willow gets here.”
“I don’t like leaving you alone when we’re busy,” I reply. “Yeah, we’re a diner, and these people are supposed to clean up after themselves, but most don’t. And we’re short-staffed. Not to mention, I can use the money.”
“It’s only one hour until Willow gets here. I’ve been working this job for more than twenty years, so trust me when I say, I’ve got this. Go rest up.”
I sigh, feeling the exhaustion in my bones. It really has been a long, busy week.
“Are you sure you don’t mind?”
“Go. And take tomorrow off, too. We’ll have plenty of help.”
“A day off?” I blink at her. “What shall I do with all that free time?”
“Smartass.” She laughs and shakes her head. “I sure do like you.”
I hurry back to the break room to grab my purse from my locker and then rush back out to June with visions of an early night dancing in my head.
There should be time for bathroom fixing and wine with my cat, Petunia.
“Let’s blow this joint,” I announce to June, who’s in the middle of a conversation with Tanner Hilleman.
My high school sweetheart.
The man that still haunts my dreams.
He looks my way, his green eyes dancing as he takes me in, and a slow smile spreads over his impossibly gorgeous mouth.
And I remember vividly what the man is capable of doing with that mouth.
Clearing my throat, I offer him a smile, then tap June’s shoulder.
“Ready?” I ask her. “I’ve been sprung a little early.”
“Sure, but first, I’d like to chat for a few minutes with Tanner. He’s telling me about how his aunt down in Newport is having her kitchen redone, and it’s been a total disaster.”
My heart sinks, but I do my best to keep my smile in place. I just really want to go home. And while Tanner and I have an amicable relationship, it’s still uncomfortable to be around him for very long.
It’s just damn awkward.
But June is my ride, so I sit next to her and quietly listen to the story of Tanner’s aunt. I liked Aunt Becky a lot when we were dating. She was always very kind to me.
I check my watch and sigh, and June’s gaze turns my way.
“You okay, Sarah?”
“Sure.”
“I think she’s tired,” Tanner replies and stands. “I’ve kept you long enough. I’ll be sure to keep you posted on all of Aunt Becky’s kitchen mishaps. Hav
He nods and leaves, and I immediately stand.
“You know, I could go for a milkshake to go,” June says. “I mean, sure, I shouldn’t because that’s a lot of calories, but I’ve been busting my ass lately.”
“June, I’m going to say this in the nicest way possible. Please, for the love of all that’s holy in this universe, take me the hell home.”
“Oh, sure. Hey, I’m sorry. Let’s go.”
We walk out to June’s truck, and I sigh in relief when I sit in the seat.
“You’ve had a long week, haven’t you?” June asks.
“Yeah, a lot of hours at the diner. But, I’m grateful for the job, so I won’t complain. Sunny just gave me tomorrow off.”
“Awesome. You should—”
“Nope.”
She glances my way as she turns to drive up the hill to her grandmother’s house. “Huh?”
“I shouldn’t do anything except sleep late, go walk the beach, snuggle Petunia, and write in my journal. Maybe paint a little.”
“So, I shouldn’t ask you to help me with garden prep, then?”
I wince and look out the passenger window. “Please don’t.”
“You deserve a day of rest and pampering,” June says, patting my leg. “I totally get it. I’m just too antsy for those days, so it never occurs to me, you know?”
“I know. I really need a quiet day.”
“Then a quiet day you shall have.”
She parks in her spot near the house, and my feet ache as I slide out of the truck onto the gravel below.
You would think that after six months or so of constantly being on my feet, they’d be used to it by now, but they’re not.
“I need to soak my feet,” I mutter and hobble my way up the steps to the front door.
“You need better shoes, too,” June says as she opens the door, and we walk inside.
She’s not wrong, I likely do need better footwear, but I’ve been hoarding my money away so I can rent a place to live.
Shoes don’t fit into that budget.
“I’m going to go see Petunia,” I tell June and set off up the stairs. “I’ll come help you in a bit.”
“Thanks,” June says. I hear her walk into the heart of the house, likely looking for Annabelle.
When I open the door of my bedroom, Petunia stretches lazily on my bed, blinks her bicolored eyes, and, with great effort, lifts herself up to come over and get some attention.
“Hi, beautiful girl,” I whisper and pick her up into my arms. Petunia is a big tabby cat that I rescued shortly after I moved to town. She looked a little worse for wear at the time, but she’s doing better now.
Of course, no TLC in the world will repair the ear that she lost somewhere along the way, but she’s happy and spoiled, and we love each other.
I’ve just sat down with Petunia in my lap, when I hear the yelling start.
I love June and Annabelle with everything in me. Annabelle is the grandma I always wanted, and June is like a sister to me.
But, oh God, I can’t live here anymore. I’m tired, I’m frazzled, and I’m too old for roommates.
It’s time I found my own space.
“Sarah, can you come look at this please? This old lady has lost her mind.”
“Lost my mind, have I? Well then, why don’t I just call the lawyer and have my will changed.”
“Yeah, yeah, you’re just full of it.”
I stare down at Petunia and sigh. “Let’s look through the for rent ads, shall we?”
“This just became available a couple of days ago,” Grace, the nice woman from the rental agency, says as we step out of her car. She was kind enough to pick me up for this little excursion. “It’s a honey of a place, and as of right now, it’s still vacant. Come on.”
I’m doing my best not to get my hopes up. This place is perfect. I can feel it, and I haven’t even gone inside yet.
The main house sits near the ocean, with a long staircase down to the sand. I’ve walked past this house hundreds of times over the years.
Walking the beach is my favorite thing in the world.
I didn’t know, however, that the small building just behind the main house was part of the same property and was also a guesthouse.
“The owner has had this place for a couple of years now,” Grace says as she unlocks the front door, “and he’s always rented out this space. It’s a small, one-bedroom guesthouse with a nice bathroom and an extra space that you could use for an office. It has a full kitchen, as well, and a little back patio where you could sit out with your coffee in the morning and look at the mountains. Unfortunately, there’s no front porch to look out at the ocean that’s only a couple of steps off the front door.”
“There’s an ocean view?” My heart leaps when I walk past Grace into the living space and stand at the windows, staring at the little peek of ocean through the trees.
“It’s not a great view because it’s obstructed by the trees, but yes. You can see it.”
“Ocean view,” I whisper and feel like wrapping my arms around myself in a big hug. “Will he let me have my cat?”
“That might be the stinger,” she says with uncertainty. “I’ll have to run it by him. He usually doesn’t accept pets, but he might make an exception for you.”
“If he will let me have Petunia, I’ll take it.”
I turn back and am startled to find Tanner standing in the doorway.
“Sorry to interrupt,” he says with a half smile. “I thought that was you, Sarah.”
“Tanner, this is Sarah Pederson, and she’s interested in the rental,” Grace says with a smile.
“I know Sarah,” he says with a nod, never taking his eyes away from me. “Would you please give us a moment, Grace?”
“Oh. Well, I suppose so.” Grace clears her throat and slips out the front door, past Tanner. “Just call for me when you’re done.”
“I didn’t realize this was your place,” I say when she’s out of earshot. “If I’d known—”
“You wouldn’t be here?” He tips his head to the side. “Why?”
I shrug, shaking my head. “You know why. It’s just awkward, that’s all.”
“Do you like it?”
I love it.
“It’s a nice place. Does it come furnished?”
“It does, but if you didn’t like something, I can take it out.”
I bite my lip. Why does he have to own the most perfect rental for me in town? I need a furnished place because I lost everything in the fire. And it has an ocean view.
“If I’d known you wanted to move out of June’s place, I would have just offered it to you,” he says. “Hell, you can have it, Sarah.”
“No.” I shake my head and look at him squarely now. “Absolutely not. If you’ll rent it to me, I’ll pay for it. I can afford it. But I can’t come without Petunia.”
“The cat?”
I nod solemnly. “I’m all she has, and I won’t desert her.”
“I’m fine with the cat.”
Hope spreads through me. “Would it be okay if I used your beach access to walk down to the sand sometimes?”
“Whenever you’d like.”
I can walk to work from here, I have beach access, and the adorable little house is furnished.
But will I have to see Tanner all the time? And if I do, will it continue to be uncomfortable?
“What’s your hesitation?”
He always could read me.
“I don’t want to make things weird or hard. If I live here, and if we run into each other all the time, I don’t want to make it uncomfortable for you.”
He lifts an eyebrow.
“Or for me.”
“It’s never my intention to make you uncomfortable. If it makes you feel any better, I can tell you that I rarely ever run into my tenants. I go to work early each morning, and I pretty much keep to myself, but I’m nearby if you need anything. Sarah, we see each other as often as we do because we share the same friends. Huckleberry Bay is a small town, and I refuse to give up my friends, or turn the other way whenever I see you. There are no hard feelings here.”
