Read Online The Best Thing Yet by McKenna Jeffries and Aliyah Burke - Free Book Online Page B

interrupting her. Once she was done she leant back and they drank their beers.
    “You really like this man.” It wasn’t a question.
    Arissa shrugged.
    “He’ll call then explain what happened to make him leave. I’ll get us another one and you can fill me in on the rest of the cruise,” Jackson said.
    He stood and went to the kitchen. Arissa picked at the label of her beer. She didn’t want to get her hopes up, but she would be willing to listen if Deiter did call. Jackson returned.
    “Turn up the heat,” Arissa said.
    Jackson paused by the thermostat, adjusting it. “This is one thing I will not miss when we move to New Mexico.”
    “Amen. Just three more months,” Arissa agreed.
    Jackson finished with the heat then sat where he had been before. He held out a new bottle. She put down the old one and grabbed the new one.
    “Are you sure you’re ready for the climate change and relocating?” she asked.
    “Yes. I’ve loved all the times we’ve visited McKingley, your family and Deyon. Deyon telling us about the open positions in McKingley Hospital came at a great time. For us both.”
    “It did,” Arissa said.
    The thought of returning to her hometown of McKingley made her happy and apprehensive all at once. She loved the town but hadn’t lived there in a long time. She wondered if she could once again get used to the different pace. Arissa shook off the apprehension. She wanted this. Working in Chicago was draining her. It was time to reconnect with her close-knit family. Emails and phone calls only did so much to keep up with their large extended family.
    “I think Deyon was more excited than we were when we got the jobs.”
    “Deyon has an ulterior motive. Having at least two of her three best friends in driving distance to bug made her dance a jig. She insists she will convince Sarah. But Sarah is stubborn and loves Minneapolis. She isn’t moving from there anytime soon.” Arissa snorted.
    “You’re right. Deyon recorded her dance of joy and sent it to us. She is nutty.” Jackson laughed.
    “Yep, she is,” Arissa agreed.
    “Now tell me about your trip.” Jackson prodded.
     She filled him in on her vacation. Much later, she closed the door behind him. She retrieved her laptop and booted up. As she waited, she picked up her house phone and dialled voicemail for her messages. She listened to all the messages from her family welcoming her back, waiting to hear that one voice she longed for. As they droned on she skimmed through her emails. All the messages were from the familiar names of her family and friends. Even the spam folder didn’t show anything. Clicking off the phone after the last message, she closed her eyes. He hadn’t called. She stood and got ready for bed. After cleaning up, she slid between the cotton sheets.
    He’ll call soon. She went to sleep hoping it was true.
     
    * * * *
     
    McKingley, New Mexico
    Three months later
     
    “Is this it?”
    Arissa startled, looking out of the window then at Tim. “Yes.”
    “It is beautiful. I wonder who the architect is?” Tim murmured.
    “Iona McKingley.”
    “Like the town? I want to meet her,” Tim demanded.
    “Yes like the name of town. And yes, she’s in town, you can meet her,” Arissa said.
    “But no working while you’re here,” Jackson said.
    “You’re worse than Jorge. It’s not work just admiring the house,” Tim grumbled.
    “I’ll tell Jorge on you,” Jackson said.
    “Tell me what?” Jorge said.
    Arissa motioned to Jorge outside her window. He stepped back. She opened the door and Jorge helped her out of the black Chevy Tahoe LTZ. Arissa bit her lips, stifling a grin. When they had arrived in the warmer climate he had gleefully changed his pants to matching Hawaiian shorts. Today’s shirt was red, blue and green.
    “Tim is thinking of work already,” Arissa said, heading for the sprawling house.
    “Christ, Tim. We’re helping our friends move to New Mexico. A beautiful place with scenic views.