Read Online Shiftr: Swipe Left for Love by Ariana Hawkes - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Ariana Hawkes
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like I needed to detox,” Lauren said.
“No, pasta is amazing,” Raven said. And it was – rich, delicious and very filling.
“What does your husband do?” Caitlyn asked.
“He’s a carpenter and a volunteer firefighter for the Hope Valley fire service. A lot of the guys around here do the same kind of thing.”
“Sounds like there’s a real community going on here.” Lauren nodded.
“There is. Hope Valley is a tight community, but there’s also an additional bunch of us out here in the national park. We hang out a lot and look after each other’s kids. I’m sure you’ll meet everybody in the next couple of weeks, and then you’ll be in and out of each other’s houses all the time.”
After dinner, Lauren put Willow to bed, then they settled into her comfy leather couches and chatted for a couple of hours, until they figured that she was tired.
“I can pick you up tomorrow morning and take you to meet Lori at her store, if you want?” Lauren suggested as they got up to leave.
“That’d be great,” Raven replied. “Caitlyn is planning on driving around town all day looking for work, so I’d appreciate the ride, and the personal introduction.”
“Great. I’ll look out for some job vacancies for you as well, Caitlyn. What line of work are you in?”
“Well. I’ve been working in a hardware store ever since I left school, but to say I’m sick of it would be an understatement,” Caitlyn said with a laugh. Lauren shrugged.
“New town, new career. What are you interested in doing?” Caitlyn blushed.
“You know, no-one’s asked me a question like that since I was in junior high, and the careers advisor advised me not to set my sights too high.” Lauren frowned, and her eyes narrowed with sympathy.
“That’s terrible.”
“That’s what happens in nowhere-ville.”
“What are your passions though? What do you care about?”
“I’ve always been interested in the environment. I think I’d like to work on an organic farm maybe, or in some kind of eco business.” Lauren put a finger on her lip, thinking.
“For starters, you could try the organic supermarket. They might have roles in all kinds of things, like buying products or marketing.” Caitlyn nodded.
“That would be great.”
“And Dalton, one of the guys who lives around here has been looking for an assistant in his organic vegetable business. He’s away right now, but I’ll introduce you when he gets back?”
“That would be amazing too.”
“Ok, we’d better leave you in peace,” Raven said. “But I’ll see you at 10 tomorrow? And thank you so much for everything.” Lauren enveloped each of them in a warm hug and said goodnight to them.
“It’s weird, but I feel like I’m home,” Raven said as they drove back, very slowly, along the narrow track in the pitch darkness.
“I know exactly what you mean,” Caitlyn said with a contented sigh.
*
Raven slept deeply that night. There turned out to be two single beds concealed beneath the comforter, and an extra comforter in the wardrobe, so Raven didn’t have to endure Caitlyn’s legendary thrashing about in the bed all night long. But when she woke up, the queasiness that had eased off over the last couple of days was back with a vengeance. She got up early and went to sit outside, hoping that the fresh air would make her feel better, but it was relentless, like sea sickness. Every time she thought it had gone, another wave would roll across her stomach, leaving her weak and shaky. Somehow, she managed to get herself through showering and dressing, and she waited for Lauren to arrive, cursing her bad luck.
“Morning, hon,” Lauren called chirpily as she arrived in her truck. Then her dark eyes widened as she saw Raven’s face. “Hey, are you ok?” she hurried over and sat on the edge of the porch next to her.
“Yeah, I will be in a moment,” Raven said, wiping her hand across her forehead. It was damp and clammy, and her stomach
“No, pasta is amazing,” Raven said. And it was – rich, delicious and very filling.
“What does your husband do?” Caitlyn asked.
“He’s a carpenter and a volunteer firefighter for the Hope Valley fire service. A lot of the guys around here do the same kind of thing.”
“Sounds like there’s a real community going on here.” Lauren nodded.
“There is. Hope Valley is a tight community, but there’s also an additional bunch of us out here in the national park. We hang out a lot and look after each other’s kids. I’m sure you’ll meet everybody in the next couple of weeks, and then you’ll be in and out of each other’s houses all the time.”
After dinner, Lauren put Willow to bed, then they settled into her comfy leather couches and chatted for a couple of hours, until they figured that she was tired.
“I can pick you up tomorrow morning and take you to meet Lori at her store, if you want?” Lauren suggested as they got up to leave.
“That’d be great,” Raven replied. “Caitlyn is planning on driving around town all day looking for work, so I’d appreciate the ride, and the personal introduction.”
“Great. I’ll look out for some job vacancies for you as well, Caitlyn. What line of work are you in?”
“Well. I’ve been working in a hardware store ever since I left school, but to say I’m sick of it would be an understatement,” Caitlyn said with a laugh. Lauren shrugged.
“New town, new career. What are you interested in doing?” Caitlyn blushed.
“You know, no-one’s asked me a question like that since I was in junior high, and the careers advisor advised me not to set my sights too high.” Lauren frowned, and her eyes narrowed with sympathy.
“That’s terrible.”
“That’s what happens in nowhere-ville.”
“What are your passions though? What do you care about?”
“I’ve always been interested in the environment. I think I’d like to work on an organic farm maybe, or in some kind of eco business.” Lauren put a finger on her lip, thinking.
“For starters, you could try the organic supermarket. They might have roles in all kinds of things, like buying products or marketing.” Caitlyn nodded.
“That would be great.”
“And Dalton, one of the guys who lives around here has been looking for an assistant in his organic vegetable business. He’s away right now, but I’ll introduce you when he gets back?”
“That would be amazing too.”
“Ok, we’d better leave you in peace,” Raven said. “But I’ll see you at 10 tomorrow? And thank you so much for everything.” Lauren enveloped each of them in a warm hug and said goodnight to them.
“It’s weird, but I feel like I’m home,” Raven said as they drove back, very slowly, along the narrow track in the pitch darkness.
“I know exactly what you mean,” Caitlyn said with a contented sigh.
*
Raven slept deeply that night. There turned out to be two single beds concealed beneath the comforter, and an extra comforter in the wardrobe, so Raven didn’t have to endure Caitlyn’s legendary thrashing about in the bed all night long. But when she woke up, the queasiness that had eased off over the last couple of days was back with a vengeance. She got up early and went to sit outside, hoping that the fresh air would make her feel better, but it was relentless, like sea sickness. Every time she thought it had gone, another wave would roll across her stomach, leaving her weak and shaky. Somehow, she managed to get herself through showering and dressing, and she waited for Lauren to arrive, cursing her bad luck.
“Morning, hon,” Lauren called chirpily as she arrived in her truck. Then her dark eyes widened as she saw Raven’s face. “Hey, are you ok?” she hurried over and sat on the edge of the porch next to her.
“Yeah, I will be in a moment,” Raven said, wiping her hand across her forehead. It was damp and clammy, and her stomach
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