I own nothing apart from Amber and Riley and the plot!!!

Chapter Two

I stayed up later then intended that night but I always have difficulty sleeping in a new house. I had never been able to sleep during the first week at a new place, the unfamiliar noises around the area keeping me awake. My imagination tended to get a little ahead of me at times.

Sighing I flicked off the lamp next to me, curling under the covers of my doona. I rested my head down on my pillow, my eyes trained on the small gap in the curtains. I could barely hear a thing from outside and unlike other places, I felt peaceful here. With that feeling I fell asleep with a content smile on my face.

"Mommy, wake up!"

I groaned and rolled over, burying my face back into my pillow. Riley giggled and jumped on me, planting kisses on my cheek.

"Alright, little monster, I'm up." I grumbled, kissing his forehead and allowing myself to be dragged out of the room.

I yawned as I pulled out the toaster, Riley handing me the loaf of bread that we bought days ago. As I popped two pieces of bread into the toaster he set out the margarine and strawberry jam. I grabbed the plates and the juice from the fridge while he pulled out two small cups.

We ate breakfast quickly and quietly, neither good in the mornings. He ran to his bedroom, claiming he was getting dressed though we both knew that he was just going to sit on his bed and draw, only getting dressed when I got out of the shower.

Shaking my head I headed to the small bathroom. After washing my hair and enjoying the hot water I stepped out, pulling out my nicest pair of jeans and a slim fitting dark blue shirt and a black jacket. This was the most expensive outfit that I owned and I never spent that much on clothes again. These were my 'interview' clothes.

As I brushed my hair I walked to Riley's room, opening the door and shaking my head slightly at the sight of him sitting on his bed drawing animatedly. He noticed me and smiled innocently.

"I was going to get dressed right now." He said rolling his eyes and standing up.

"Just make sure you do it now; we have to leave really soon." I said firmly.

I headed back to the bathroom, staring at my reflection; my auburn hair fell down to my waist in soft curls though I knew it was way overdue for a cut. My eyes stared back at me tiredly, dark bags encircled my eyes.

Sighing I turned away from my reflection and went back out to the kitchen, grabbing my car keys and house keys.

"Riley, lets go." I called, shaking my head as I heard him stumble in his room.

He came out a moment later dressed appropriately and went out to the car, the keys in his hand. I closed and locked the front door as he opened the car. When we were both in the car and secured in he handed me the keys.

The drive didn't take long but I did end up going around in circles for a while. Finally we found the small coffee shop and my nerves were going crazy. My hands were shaking as we got out of the car, one hand grasping onto my bag tightly and the other holding onto Riley's.

I didn't know who I was looking for so I went up to the counter. "Excuse me?" I called nervously.

A tall woman came back, looking bored, "Yes?"

"I'm new around here and I'm supposed to be meeting with Emily Uley?"

The woman's eyes darkened at the name and she pointed over at the corner of the shop. I followed her gaze and found myself looking at a pretty woman with long dark brown hair, russet skin and brown eyes. There were scars marred across her face but that didn't do anything to her beauty. With her was a small boy looking restless.

I muttered a quick 'thanks' to the woman after ordering a coffee and slowly made my way over to Emily Uley. I stopped in front of the table, feeling incredibly nervous and shy.

"Emily Uley?" I asked hesitantly.

She looked up, smiling kindly when she saw me though I could see the surprise in her eyes, "Hello. You must be Amber." She said warmly, "This is my son Matt and you must be Riley." She said.

Riley smiled shyly and waved, "Hi."

Matt perked up, "Hey."

As the two kids went off to the corner to talk about whatever five year olds talk about I sat down at the table with Emily and we were both silent for a moment, watching the kids interact.

"They seem to get along well." Emily commented drawing my attention.

I smiled nervously, "Yeah, it's usually hard for him to make friends." I admitted, looking down.

"Please don't be offended by me asking this, but how old are you?" Emily asked hesitantly.

I sighed, "I'm twenty one. I had Riley when I was sixteen." I said shortly, ending any chance of that conversation to continue.

Emily nodded and gave me a sympathetic look, "How long are you going to stay here for?"

"I'm hoping that this is the place we'll stay. We both already like it here; it just depends on if I can get a job." I told her.

She was quiet a moment and then spoke quietly, "My husband owns a mechanics shop with a group of his friends. They're looking for a receptionist at the moment because none of them know how to sound professional over the phone. I could give you the address for the place if you'd like?"

I gaped at her, "Really? That would be so great; thank you so much." I gushed; it was official. Emily Uley was now my favourite person here.

She smiled back at me, "Don't mention it. They're really quite desperate and they haven't got the time or money to advertise."

"I'll go there straight after this." I said eagerly and then moved the topic back to the boys, "So you don't mind watching him over the holidays?" I asked.

"Of course I don't mind; Matt's been so bored by himself. None of my friends have children and he misses his father so much while he's at work. They seem to get along great as well."

We organised times and agreed on having Sunday's off. I thanked her over and over again. As we were about to leave she gave me the address for the mechanics shop. We said goodbye to them, happy to know that we would be seeing them shortly.

"I have to go out somewhere for a while. Do you want to come?" I asked Riley as we headed for the car.

He thought for a moment and shook his head, "I wanna go back home to draw. I'll be good; I know the rules."

"You promise you'll be good?" I hated leaving him alone.

He rolled his eyes, "Mommy I'm not stupid."

"I know but you're my little man." I said tenderly, kissing his forehead.

Hesitantly I left him at the house and I hoped desperately that I wouldn't be too long. As I drove to the mechanics shop I couldn't help but feel positive about this job; I mean my resume had enough on it to land me a job quickly.

Would it be enough here, though?