Chapter 3
When I get to my new apartment that I rented online before I arrived, I looked out at the view.
"I am finally home. I made it just like I said I would." I sighed to myself.
I got to work quickly on organizing my things that were shipped here last week. I had the landlord let the movers in and drop off my things. I wanted to get everything done before my girls got here from spending the summer with their dad. They weren't too pleased with moving all the way to Alaska, but they will adjust in time. I was sure of that.
After I unpacked and organized a few rooms, I walk outside and I look at the view of the Katchemak bay and the mountains from my front yard. I instantly get goose bumps from the sight I have waited all my life to see. I realize it is better than I could ever imagine. It is an overcast day, but I am still happy to be here. I walk from my place on Bartlett Street to the coffee place "All Hopped Up". I buy a large coffee and head back to my place to relax. I am going to need some quiet and relaxation time now, because in 5 days, the girls arrive.
The girls were on time. They slowly walked out of the terminal and gave me a hug. They have an attitude already. I can see it written all over their faces.
"Girls, I have some fun already set up for us! I have two days until I start work, and I thought we could go four wheeler riding around Beluga Lake today."
The girls' eyes instantly light up. "Yes! Then we could go to the beach, I want to see if I can find some sea glass like we did in Seattle a few years back!" exclaimed Cara.
""Yeah, mom, can we?" asks Emily.
"Of course we can, girls. We can do a lot here! There is a lot of fishing and hunting and a bunch of out doors things to do." I say, getting excited by the minute.
I can tell that the girls will be just fine here. They will love every minute of the rest of their time here. We get to the luggage claim and collect their things.
"Oh, and girls, you have your very own rooms now. No more sharing rooms!" I tell them as we leave. They scream with joy, turning quite a few heads.
The town was buzzing about the new arrival. "She is medium height, long brown hair, and man, she is hot!" a fellow fisherman was saying. "I hear her name is Bailey and she has two teenagers. They were riding four wheelers around by Beluga Lake yesterday. Her girls are pretty too. I will have to keep a close eye on my boys!"
John listened at the bar for a while with little interest. "Probably another girly-girl trying to fit in with the boys to find a husband. She will calm down once she gets her man. Then bye-bye romance and cool girl."
John slid off the stool and walked out of Duggan's into the cool Alaskan air. He walks to his truck with a lonely heaviness to his heart. Ever since he left Seattle, Gia has been calling him non-stop. She says she is sorry for cheating on him and she will never do it again. "I don't believe her," John thinks to himself. "I guess this is what I get for cheating on a girl a long time ago. I felt terrible for doing that, but you can't change the past. I don't blame her for the way she left either. "
He rounds the corner while in thought and runs right into a small object in his path. "Hey, watch where you are going, man. Are you trying to kill me? You are way to tall to be walking around not paying attention!" Bailey complains while rubbing her nose. John stares at Bailey for a moment, caught up in her beauty and her weird colored eyes. "I am so sorry, I should have been paying attention. My name is John. What is yours?"
"Bailey, my name is Bailey." I said with a sniff. "I didn't mean to snap at you either. You just surprised me."
"Let me buy you a drink, Bailey." John said. "It will take your mind off of your injury and maybe we could get to know one another. I hear you are new in town."
"Why yes, I am new in town." I said. "But…I am meeting some friends here in a few minutes and you look like you are on your way out. Maybe some other time?"
"Sure" says John as he backs away letting me pass. "See you around."
I wave as I pass. There is no way I am getting involved with that!