Page 123 of The Perfect Distraction

Chapter Thirty-One

Beth had two hours before Colton was due home, and she had a lot to do. After she’d dried her tears, locked up his house, and walked across the driveway to Aunt Jenny’s, she went straight to work.

Having already done some preliminary research, she reopened the tabs on her laptop and found what she was looking for. She spent the next hour drafting emails and inquiries to the school districts of Harbor Springs, Petoskey, Charlevoix, and Boyne City. Luckily, she’d stored a current resume on her laptop, and she attached it to all the emails.

After she sent the last one, she sat back feeling better than she had an hour ago. At least now she had a plan and was actively pursuing it. Next, she made a list of all the other items she’d have to tackle to achieve her goal. Teachers were nothing if not organized. Not to mention making lists made her feel better.

One of the most important entries on her list involved Aunt Jenny, and she picked up her phone to make the call.

“Hello, dear,” Aunt Jenny said, her sweet voice soothing to the ear.

“Hi. How’s Uncle Brad?”

“He’s doing okay, but I’m afraid he still has to lay low for a while. How about you? I’ve been hearing bits and pieces from your sisters.”

She laughed. “Of course you have.”

“According to them, Harbor Springs is full of hot, rich men!”

Beth rolled her eyes. “That had to be Becca.”

“And Brooke mentioned something about Colton’s brother. Mason, is it?”

“Yes. What did she say?” The idea that Brooke might be interested in someone other than Kyle made her happy. And the fact that Mason was Colton’s brother was an added bonus!

“She said that he had a sweet smile. Oh, and that he seemed to really like her cookies.”

Beth giggled. “That’s one way to put it.”

“How are things with Colton?”

“Actually, that’s what I called about. I have a favor to ask.”

“Fire away.”

Beth spent the next several minutes explaining her plan to Aunt Jenny, and at the end, she made her promise not to tell the rest of the family.

“Oh, honey. I’m so excited for you, and yes, you can stay in our house for as long as you need to. Sadly, I’m not sure when we’ll be able to get up there again, and I’ll feel better knowing that you’ll be looking out for the place.”

“So, you don’t think I’m being foolish?”

“Of course not. You’re following your heart, and in my experience, that’s always a good plan.”

Leave it to her aunt to put it so succinctly.

“Thank you so much for everything. And I’ll come over to visit as soon as I get home.”

“No rush. I know you’ll have a lot to do.”

Beth glanced down at her list and nodded even though Aunt Jenny couldn’t see her. “I feel better now that I’ve talked to you.”

“I’m glad.”

After they hung up, Beth breathed a sigh of relief. Knowing she had a place to stay should she need it was a huge weight off her shoulders. Feeling good about what she’d accomplished, she went upstairs to prepare for Colton’s arrival. He was taking her to dinner at the City Park Grill in Petoskey, and she felt like dressing up.

She slipped into the new dress she’d bought for the occasion, a blue and white polka-dotted shirt dress with buttons down the front and a full skirt that swished around her legs. Becca would probably label it “retro,” or worse, “old-fashioned,” but it made her feel pretty and feminine, and she’d liked it immediately.

Instead of wearing her hair straight or in a ponytail like she had most of the summer, she used a wide-barrel curling iron to give it soft waves that curled over her shoulders. Her skin was sun-kissed from being outside so much, so she added a touch of mascara and some lip gloss, and she was good to go.