Lacy’s eyes widened as she absorbed the implications of his words. “So, you mean… there is a possibility that this might take weeks, maybe months, to fix and not just days?” she asked, her voice tinged with worry.

  Phillip glanced over his shoulder at her. “Yeah, pretty much,” he replied. “It’s not uncommon for old houses like this to have outdated wiring that needs attention.”

  Lacy's mind whirled with a mix of emotions. The realization of the possible work that needed to be done and the overall cost she hadn’t budgeted for made her head hurt. Here she was thinking that she would have inherited a ready-to-move-into house with everything up and running, only to find herself depleting the meager funds she had to make the space livable.

  “God, I hope that’s not the case,” Lacy sighed. “I still need to paint both inside and outside.”

  “Have you already hired a painter?” Phillip asked, straightening up and dusting off his jeans and his hands.

  “I was planning to make it a DIY project,” Lacy admitted, her voice almost a whisper. The words hung heavy in the air, the absurdity of the notion sinking in as she said it aloud. The sheer scale of the task seemed overwhelming now, and doubts crept in her mind.

  Phillip ran his hand over his neatly trimmed beard contemplatively. “Painting the entire house, both inside and outside, is no small feat.” His voice filled with a mix of caution and encouragement. “It’s going to require a lot of time, effort, and skill. Are you sure you’re up for it?”

  Lacy’s eyes met Phillip’s, determination flickering within them. “I know it won’t be easy,” she replied, her voice brimming with a newfound resolve. “But I can’t afford to hire a professional painter right now. Besides, I’ve always had a knack for arts and crafts. How hard can it be?”

  Phillip chuckled softly, a warm smile gracing his lips. “Well, painting a small canvas is one thing, but an entire house is an entirely different ball game,” he said.

  Lacy looked at the peeling paint and shook her head as a loud sigh escaped her lips. “I simply can’t afford a painter right now.”

  Phillip’s brows furrowed, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. After a brief pause, he spoke, his voice filled with sincerity, “Lacy, I can see that you’re in a tough spot, but you’re only going to wind up paying more in the end if you go it alone. I have experience in painting, and before you say you can’t afford me,” he rushed out, silencing the protest on her lips. “I’ll help you with the painting at no cost, plus I have a painter buddy who owes me a favor, I’m sure I can get him to come in and give me a hand.”

  Lacy’s brows furrowed as she stared at him. “Why are you helping me?” she asked.

  “Consider it my way of giving back to my community,” he replied with a slight shrug of his shoulders.

  “But you barely know me,” Lacy argued.

  Phillip chuckled, the hearty sound reverberating in his chest. “Do you always look a gift horse in the mouth?”

  “Only when it looks too good to be true,” she quipped.

  “Fair enough,” Phillip conceded. His expression turned serious then. “I don’t want you to take this the wrong way, but I feel a pull to help you in any way I can. I don’t know your life story, but somehow, it just feels like you came looking for an electrician back at the hardware and got me because…I don’t know…it doesn’t make much sense to me either,” he said, brows knitted in confusion. “But yeah…I feel like I was meant to help you.”

  Lacy didn’t know what to say at his revelation, but she eventually managed to say, “Thank you. You don’t know how much this means to me. I’m touched.” She placed her hands across her chest to emphasize her gratitude.

  Phillip tipped his head forward in acknowledgment. “Let me go take a look at those switches in the hallway.”

  Lacy followed after him, her heart brimming with new hope that everything would work out.

  As Phillip fiddled with a switch, Lacy couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle. “I never thought I'd be so anxious about electricity,” she said, shaking her head.

  Phillip grinned, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Well, it's the little things that make a house feel like a home, right?”

  Just as they shared another laugh, the sound of footsteps echoed through the hallway. Lacy turned to see David and Maria entering the room.

  “You’re back.” She smiled at them. Maria produced a timid smile, but David hardly acknowledged her, his gaze fixed on Phillip, eyes narrowed, and mouth set in a grim line.

  “Um, Phillip, these are my children, David and Maria…David, Maria, this is Phillip. He’s the electrician who’s going to work on restoring light to the house.”

  David, a scowl still etched on his face, glanced from his mother to Phillip and muttered, “Yeah, whatever.”

  Lacy's smile faltered, and she quickly interjected, “David, that's not how we treat a guest. Apologize.”

  David's mouth set in a grim line, as if he was preparing to ignore his mother’s reprimand. “Sorry,” he finally muttered.

  Phillip’s friendly smile remained, despite the tension in the room. “It’s a pleasure to meet you both. I’ll try to work as quickly as possible so I can get out of your hair.”

  “Okay,” Maria’s soft voice cut the silence that had descended.

  “How was the park?” Lacy asked, trying to ease the tension.

  “It was a disaster.” David frowned.

  “Come on, David,” Lacy sighed. “You have to give it a chance.”

  “Why should I? I didn't even want to move here in the first place. Everything's different, and I hate it.”

  “The park was nice,” Maria interjected, as if trying to quiet the storm brewing.

  “That’s great, Maria. I’m happy you liked it.” Lacy managed to smile at her daughter before looking at David. Her voice grew sharper as she retorted, “David, we've been over this. We moved here for a reason, and it's not going to change. You need to adjust and find the good in this new place.”

  David's face flushed with anger, and he clenched his fists. “You don't get it, Mom! You don't know what it's like to leave everything behind! To lose everything you’ve worked so hard for!”

  The room fell silent for a moment as David stormed away, his footsteps echoing down the hallway. Lacy sighed heavily, questioning her decision to uproot their lives. She turned to Phillip with a look of embarrassment.

  “I’m sorry you had to witness that,” she apologized while Maria quietly exited the room.

  “You don’t have to apologize. He’s a teenager, and they’re always moody at this age.”

  Lacy looked at him with skepticism.

  “I remember when my daughter just turned fourteen, her mother and I had a tough time. Those are years that whenever I look back at them, I shudder.” To emphasize the point, he cringed as his body shook.

  “You have a daughter?” Lacy asked.

  “Yeah. She’s twenty-one now and a whole different person,” Phillip replied, his tone full of pride.

  “I don't know what to do anymore. He's so angry, and I feel like it's all my fault.” Lacy sighed.

  “It gets better,” Phillip responded, and Lacy gave him a look of disbelief.

  Phillip placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, his voice filled with empathy. "Lacy, don't blame yourself too much. At his age, they’re often angry about a lot of things. It’s a tough transition, but it does get better as they become young adults and are able to see past the stained-glass windows blocking their view.

  Lacy shook her head, tears welling in her eyes. “I just want him to be happy again. I want our family to be happy. But with his father gone, I don’t know if that’ll ever be possible again.” She hung her head in despair.

  Phillip squeezed her shoulder gently, offering reassurance. “Give it time, Lacy. With patience and understanding, things will fall into place. You’ve already proven that you have the strength and perseverance to make the difficult choices in order to protect your family. I mean, look…you chose to move halfway across the country to a house with no electricity.”

  Lacy laughed at his obvious teasing in his latter statement and the smirk on his lips.

  “Just call me crazy,” she joked.

  After their laughter had died down, Phillip spoke with seriousness and sincerity shining through his eyes, “You’re doing the best you can.”

  Lacy wiped away her tears, searching for hope in Phillip's words. She took a deep breath, determined to face the challenges ahead. "I hope you're right, Phillip. I really do."

  Chapter Eight

  Nikki

  Nikki’s heart raced with a mix of excitement and nervousness as she stared at her reflection in the rearview mirror. The early morning sunlight cast a warm glow on her face, highlighting her determined expression. Her blue eyes sparkled with anticipation, and she brushed a lock of her blond hair behind her ear.

  “All right. This is it—your shot. Make it count,” she whispered to herself, her voice filled with a combination of self-assurance and determination. Taking a deep breath to steady her nerves, she reached for her laptop bag and purse. She swung open the car door and emerged onto the bustling sidewalk.

  Nikki took a moment to compose herself. She adjusted the lapels of her tailored charcoal pantsuit, feeling the smooth fabric against her fingertips. The suit hugged her slim frame perfectly and gave her an air of professionalism and confidence. The crisp white blouse underneath added a touch of elegance, and the silver pendant necklace shimmered delicately against her collarbone.

  As she turned to face the towering Arlington Journal building, its modern glass facade gleamed in the morning sun. The emblem of the renowned paper, proudly displayed above the entrance, served as a reminder of the prestigious role she was about to embark on.

  “Nikki, there you are,” a familiar voice called out, breaking her reverie. Nikki turned to see Veronica striding toward her with a warm smile. Her salt-and-pepper hair was neatly styled, and her eyes sparkled with admiration. “I was a bit worried you would change your mind at the last minute.”

  “Hi, Veronica,” Nikki greeted, accepting the woman’s embrace. “You know I would never do that, right? I am a woman of my word,” she affirmed when they separated.

  “That’s true. I don’t know where this undue doubt came from,” Veronica wholeheartedly agreed.

  “I just hope I’ll be able to do a half-decent job as editor-in-chief,” Nikki voiced her concern.

  Veronica placed a reassuring hand on Nikki’s shoulder. “You deserve this opportunity, Nikki. You’ve worked tirelessly chasing down those stories that kept this paper as a serious contender in the world of journalism. I can’t think of anyone else who deserves this as much as you do,” she spoke with conviction.

  Nikki’s lips widened in a smile. “You just boosted my confidence.”

  “Glad I could help.” Veronica smiled back. “Let’s go up.” She gestured toward the building. The two women entered the building, and after Nikki collected an access badge at the reception desk, she and Veronica entered the elevator and made their way up to the fifth floor.

  Nikki stepped into the bustling newsroom of the Arlington Journal. Her heart pounded with a mix of excitement and nervous anticipation. The scent of freshly brewed coffee mingled with the smell of ink and paper, creating a familiar and comforting atmosphere she had missed during her time away.

  As she walked farther into the room, the clicking sounds of the keyboards slowed to a halt as heads turned in her direction. Most of the faces she glanced over had knowing smiles while a few of them, which she noted seemed to be new hires, wore curious expressions.

  Veronica stepped forward then. “Ladies and gentlemen, as you are aware now that I am managing director of the Arlington Journal, I must appoint a new editor-in-chief. It also meant I had to hire the best, and I could think of no other who deserved it as much as this woman standing beside me. Most of you already know her, but now I am introducing her to her new role and capacity. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the new editor-in-chief of the Arlington Journal, Nikki Murphy.”

  Loud cheers rose up.

  “Welcome back, Nikki!” The words rang out, rich and warm, from Ron, one of her previous mentees.

  Nikki felt overwhelmed with joy at the warm reception, and her hand flew to her chest as she smiled.

  “Thank you all so much,” she started. Her eyes scanned the sea of faces until they landed on her best friend. Ava’s eyes were lit with intense joy, but there was a shadow of concern in them too, which caused Nikki to quirk a brow.

  “Let’s get you settled into your new office,” Veronica spoke, breaking the silent conversation between the two women.

  “Okay,” Nikki turned to the woman. Veronica guided her through the maze of cubicles toward the coveted corner office that was once Veronica’s.

  “I didn’t get the chance to change it much,” Veronica admitted, her voice tinged with a hint of nostalgia as they crossed the threshold. “But you have complete freedom to rearrange it, buy new furniture, anything you like. This space is yours now.”

  Nikki’s gaze swept across the room, taking in every detail with wide, appreciative eyes. At the heart of the room stood a grand cherrywood desk, its polished surface gleaming from the natural light streaming into the room. A high-back chair, upholstered in rich leather, stood proudly behind it, exuding an air of authority. A cozy gray couch beckoned in one corner of the room, accompanied by a tastefully designed coffee table.

  The floor-to-ceiling glass panels presented a panoramic view of downtown Arlington and the distant mountains. The view alone was enough to take her breath away.

  “Let’s see how these two weeks go first,” Nikki finally spoke up with caution.

  “Okay,” Veronica agreed with a nod. “I’ll leave you to it then. Welcome on board, Nikki.” Nikki smiled gratefully at the woman and watched her exit her new office.

  Settling into her chair, Nikki began to sift through the pile of submissions that had been left on her desk, her mind humming with the possibilities they represented. A knock at the door caused her to raise her eyes to it, just as Ava’s head popped through.

  “Welcome back, boss.” Ava grinned.

  Nikki chuckled, standing to her feet as Ava stepped fully into the room. “It’s good to be back, but I hate that word, boss. It makes me sound like an overseer.” Nikki shuddered.

  “Yeah, well, you’re the boss now. You have to get used to being called that, especially by the newbies,” Ava expressed. The two women walked over to the couch and sat down.

  “What was that look back in the main hall?” Nikki asked her best friend.

  Ava’s lips pursed and her eyes shown with the same concern from earlier. “Nikki, you know I'm so glad you're back,” she said. “But what about Trish, Amy, and Paul?”

  Nikki met Ava's gaze directly, her own eyes reflecting the depth of her conviction. “I'm trying to make it work, Ava,” she said, her voice confident and steady. “I’m not sure how yet, but I’m working on it, and Paul has been so understanding.” A soft smile graced her lips as she spoke about her fiancé.

  “And what about Trish and Amy?” Ava asked.

  “I…I didn’t tell them the reason I’m back in Arlington is to take this job.” Nikki ducked her head.

  “Nikki,” Ava spoke with concern. “You do know that this has the potential to blow up around you, right?”

  “I know,” Nikki confirmed. “I’m trying to find a way to tell them. It just felt like I would be disappointing them by wanting this job.” She sighed heavily.

  “Nikki.” Ava placed a hand on her arm, causing Nikki to look at her. “I’ve met Trish and Amy and, based on what I’ve seen, they’re not like that. I’m sure they’d support you if this is what you really wanted,” she encouraged.

  Nikki nodded simply.

  “Talk to them before it’s too late to come back from this,” Ava encouraged, rising to her feet. “I’m ordering Thai food for dinner later,” she further informed her.

  “Okay,” Nikki answered, a weight resting on her chest.

  “Promise me you won't let this job consume you. Remember what's truly important.”

  Nikki nodded.

  Throughout the day, Nikki's colleagues stopped by her office to congratulate her and express their excitement about working with her once again. The newsroom buzzed with an energy that was infectious, and Nikki couldn't help but feel a surge of inspiration.

  Hours flew by as Nikki read, made notes, and occasionally reached for her phone to check in with Trish and Amy. It was a delicate balancing act, but one she was determined to master.

  With each passing moment, Nikki grew more confident in her decision to stay in Arlington.

  From her glass-walled corner office in the heart of Arlington, Washington, Nikki peered down at the bustling thoroughfare below. She watched as people, like ants, scurried about on their own missions, oblivious to her scrutiny. The cityscape of Arlington, with its sprawl of steel, glass, and concrete, stood in stark contrast to the serene beauty of Camano Island—she hadn’t realized she would have missed that atmosphere like she did. Three days had elapsed since she exchanged the tranquil island life for the pulsating energy of the city, stepping into her new role as the Editor-in-Chief of the Arlington Journal.

  She still hadn’t told Trish and Amy the real reason she was back in the city, even though she’d spoken to them quite a few times already. She knew, like Ava had said, it was important that she told them why she was back in Arlington before they found out on their own. She just couldn’t seem to find the right opening where she could be like, “Hey. Guess what? I’m back in Arlington because I’m the new editor-in-chief for the Arlington Journal.” There was no scenario she had gone over that would make it okay for her to lie to her sister and her niece.

  The shrill ring of her cell phone broke through her contemplation. The caller ID flashed the name “Trish.” Nikki felt a strange knot in her stomach.

 

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