The Sunset Cottages by Nicole Ellis

Author:Nicole Ellis [Ellis, Nicole]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Leaping Rabbit Press

13

Cal

* * *

Cal arrived at Willa Bay First Lutheran a few minutes before five o’clock. He’d been attending the early evening Alcoholics Anonymous meetings there since he’d arrived in town, a very different activity than his prior habit of going out to happy hour with colleagues from work. The box of donuts and industrial-strength coffee provided at the meeting may not have been on the same level as some of the fancier fare he’d consumed at restaurants in downtown Seattle, but, with the exception of the sugary carbs, going to a meeting was a much healthier choice overall.

He entered the building, poured himself a cup of coffee, and grabbed an old-fashioned donut out of the box on the table. He walked toward the rows of chairs set up on the far side of the room, greeting acquaintances he’d made over the last year. After taking a seat near the front, he settled in to eat his donut and relax. When he’d first started going to AA meetings, he’d found that every place and group had a different feel to it. This particular group made him feel the most at home.

A few minutes past five, the meeting leader – a petite woman in her late sixties with a commanding presence – walked to the front of the room and greeted the crowd. Before she could say anything more, the door behind them creaked open and someone entered.

The leader paused and smiled warmly in the direction of the door. “Welcome. Have a seat. We’re just getting started.”

Along with most of the other attendees, Cal turned to see who she was talking to. As soon as his eyes landed on the newcomer, he whipped his head back around to face the front, hoping the tall, dark-haired man hadn’t seen him. What was Antonio doing here?

As soon as the thought entered his mind, he chided himself. Antonio was probably there for the same reason as Cal. A better question was, did Tia know her brother was in AA?

Cal hadn’t seen much of Tia in the last two weeks, ever since Antonio had arrived in Willa Bay. They’d gone out together only one time since their first lunch date at the coffee shop. With all of her holiday work commitments, Tia had been too busy for much more. One day last week, though, she’d brought her brother to see the cottages under renovation, and had introduced him to Cal.

Antonio had the same schmoozy, easygoing vibe that had been prevalent in the commercial real estate brokers Cal had worked with – but he’d been nothing but polite when they’d met, and appeared to be sincerely happy to spend time with his sister. Tia, however, had been on edge ever since her brother had arrived in town.

Cal turned his focus back to the meeting. The leader had turned things over to another member of their group, who led them in reciting the Serenity Prayer. Antonio sat silently the entire time. After the meeting, Cal debated with himself

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