One Moment (The Little Hollow Series Book 1) Read online

  One Moment

  Copyright © 2016 Danielle Dickson

  All rights reserved

  This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and events are fictitious in every regard. Any similarities to actual event and persons, living or dead, are purely coincidental. Any trademarks, service marks, product names, or named features are assumed to be a property of their respective owners, and are only used for reference. There is no implied endorsement if any of these terms are used. Except for review purposes, the reproduction of this book in whole or part, electronically or mechanically, constitutes a copyright violation.

  Cover art by Kari Ayasha of Cover to Cover Designs

  Cover photo by Zachary Stone Photography

  Formatting by Abigail Davies

  Edited by Lucii Grubb

  “Tommy! No no no! Wake up...Wake up...Connor, help him!” My eyes shot open as her voice lingered in my head. Running a sweaty palm over my face and through my hair, the nightmare still echoed in my mind. Glancing over at my alarm clock, I see that yet again I hadn’t made it past five a.m.

  I couldn’t remember the last time I’d had a full night of undisturbed sleep. It was starting to takes its toll, the stinging in my eyes told me that much. Waiting for my eyes to adjust, I sat up looking around my pitch black room and sighed. I knew trying to get back to sleep was pointless, I never could no matter how many times I tried.

  Stretching my arms above my head, I pulled the covers off and got out of bed, not even bothering to change. I stopped at the bathroom on my way to the makeshift gym in the guest bedroom, or what should have been the guest bedroom, to brush my teeth.

  As soon as I lifted the dumbbells, the memory of that night starts replaying again. It was hard to concentrate with the image of my old best friend circling around my mind as tears streamed down her face, screaming at me to do something.

  Trying to rid my head of it all, I push myself harder and harder until my eyes start swimming with speckled white lights. Stopping to take a few deep breaths, I wonder if it’s not just the sleepless nights that made me feel this way.

  Every year I went back to the place that haunts my every nightmare. It wasn’t good for me. I couldn’t change what happened that night but it still didn’t stop me going back every year, torturing myself in the process.

  Every time I came home, I always had an intense feeling of loneliness. I always had the same question rattling about in my mind. Why couldn’t I just move on?

  Pouring a cup of water out of the cooler, I took a big gulp before going back to do my next set. Even after all these years, the thought of going back to that place has me on edge.

  After a long shower, I got dressed and slipped on my work boots and made a mental note to call my mom later. I’d kept putting it off and I wouldn’t be able to for much longer. I knew that she worried about me but I didn’t mean to make her worry, I just liked my own space. She wanted me to settle down, get married and have kids but whenever I went out on a date, it just felt forced, like something was missing. I just never had that connection that you’d expect to have with someone you’d want to spend the rest of your life with.

  Leaving my apartment and getting into my truck, my mind whirled with memories that I still couldn’t shake. Gripping the steering wheel, I tried to get rid of the thoughts before I got to work. It was dangerous for me to be distracted when out on a job, not only for me, but for the other guys too.

  I scanned the parking lot as I pulled in, seeing that nobody was here yet and hoping they wouldn’t be for another ten minutes.

  I needed to get my head in the game.

  Jumping out of my truck I made my way inside the trailer that held my office. I noticed a bunch of sticky notes all over my computer and sighed at the extra work load. I was struggling to fit everything in already but this could only be a good thing, it meant our name was spreading which equaled more business. The problem was that we were already booked solid for the next couple of months and I hated to turn down good business.

  As I worked my way through them I heard the first car pull up outside onto the gravel and I realized I hadn’t put the new schedule up for this week. Most of the guys were still on the same jobs they were on last week so they knew what they were doing. But I’d pulled a few more guys in to help get a couple of the jobs done on their deadline. I didn’t like the thought of a job being rushed and with time being of the essence, we needed all the help we could get.

  Today we were starting on a job laying down a new roof and as tired as I was, I’d need to make sure I was alert. I ran my fingers through my hair before opening the document on the computer and printing out the new schedule. Pinning it to the break room notice board as a few guys came in.

  “Morning, boss.” I hated to be called that but he was a new kid so I let him off.

  “Morning, Tate. I’ve got you with Gerry and H. today in downtown. You ready for your second week?” He nodded enthusiastically at me and I waved goodbye as I grabbed the keys to the work truck, heading out to wait for Dalby and Mac. They arrived as I was sorting through the tools in the back and immediately started helping me.

  “You look like crap, rough night?” Dalby looked at me out the corner of his eye before climbing into the truck. I turned to Mac.

  “Good morning to you too, a pleasure as always. I didn’t get much sleep last night so thanks for pointing that out. Get on in, I’ll close up.” He lifted his brow in question before relenting and getting in next to Dalby. I never could keep anything from him, he was perceptive, although some would call it nosey. I got in myself and started the truck, it spluttered to life and I pulled out of the parking lot to head to the Sweeney’s house to start on their roof.

  I just hoped the memories of this morning would stay away.

  It was hot today, really hot. We had two fans blowing around the salon but all it seemed to be doing was blowing out hot air.

  “…and then he said ‘ya’ll need to stop interfering’, can you believe that?” That’s the second time Nora, a particularly nosey old bat, has told me this today.

  “He didn’t!” I replied, trying to feign interest. My best friend and business partner Keeley gives me her signature ‘really’ look and eye roll. I didn’t know what she was rolling her eyes at, I was the who had to cut Nora’s hair every time, not her.

  “And to think I used to look after the little brat, he should show some respect for his elders!” Same old, same old. Nora was the towns gossip and busy body. She had her nose in every little thing that went on in town. She was always offering to help no matter what it was. It wasn’t out the goodness of her own heart though; she just wanted to be involved in anything and everything that went on around here.

  “Regular cut Nora? Or are we feeling adventurous today?” I asked out of politeness, but I knew she wouldn’t ever change her hairstyle. She’d probably had the same style since the seventies.

  “Oh no, dear, just a trim.” She waves her hand as if the idea is ridiculous.

  Right, just as expected. Why, today of all days she had to book in to have her hair done. Then it dawned on me. She was dropping in to see how I was. Nosey old bat.

  Half hour more and I’m out of here, Keeley said she’d cover my last two regulars so I could go and be by myself. Today, it was just what I needed.

  I dreaded this day every single year. Eight years. Eight years since my life turned upside down. The old familiar ache of guilt and regret started to spread through my chest as my hands began to shake. The heat on top of it all didn’t help and I needed to go, now.

  “Kee, would you finish off Nora’s cut please, I’m starting to feel a little
light headed.” I could see the worry that crept into her eyes so I offered her a smile before turning my head away to apologise to Nora, who gives me an inquisitive look. I made a dash for the back room just before the first tear fell down my cheek.

  It never got any easier.

  Wiping my eyes to get rid of the evidence, I grabbed my purse then said a quick goodbye to Kee and Nora as I made my way out the door for some fresh air.

  My feet took me towards the man made beach automatically. As if it was programmed into my brain.

  It was such a beautiful day out and I smiled politely at people as I passed down main street, trying to ignore all of the sympathetic looks I got in return.

  I couldn’t stand those looks. I wish people would recognize me for all that I’d overcome, I was more than just the daughter of a drunk, the sister of ‘that poor boy’. I was a successful business owner despite it all but none of that seemed to matter. People just remembered the negative.

  I started to slow my pace as I got closer to the beach and my heart tries to fight its way out of my chest. At the edge of the sand, I take my sandals off to feel it running between my toes; the sun had kept it warm. I walked in the direction of the dock which spanned to nearly half way across the lake. Nearing the end, I closed my eyes and relished in the sun’s rays beating down onto my milky white skin. There was nothing I wouldn’t do to turn back time. To change everything.

  “Another year huh, bud?” I whispered into the air.

  “Sammy! Sammy! I’m hungry.” I looked up from the mountain of school work I’d yet to get through and into my little brother’s sweet green eyes before looking at the clock. It was five p.m. already, where did the time go?

  “OK, little bud, what would you like?” Although I already knew asking was a pointless feat. ‘Grilled cheese’ we both sang at the same time. His little face lit up and with a giggle he skipped into the kitchen to get out the loaf of bread and some cheese. He struggled to reach the bread out of the pantry and I stepped forward to help him.

  “No, I can do it,” he said, determined. “Sammy? Am I going to grow big and strong like Connor one day?” he asked as he jumped up to get the food.

  “Of course you are, you need to start eating your vegetables though, instead of grilled cheese all the time.” He pulled a face at me, obviously the thought of anything but grilled cheese was out of the question.

  “I think I’ll be fine with grilled cheese, cheese is good for you, it has calcium in.” He smiled before turning back to reach the bread again. “It’s just, well, Oliver made fun of me again today, he said I was so small he could fit me in his desk and no one would know and then everyone laughed at me.”

  I frowned and waited patiently whilst he jumped up and down, trying really hard to do it on his own. In the end, he motioned for me to help and I went over to him.

  “Well, Oliver obviously doesn’t know that great things come in small packages,” I reassured him with a wink and a muss of his hair before taking down the bread and handing it to him.

  My little brother was born prematurely so he’d always been a little smaller than everyone else in his class. I wished they would stop teasing him, he’s such a sweet, sensitive kid. All he wanted was to fit in.

  “Sammy, when’s mom coming home?” I froze. It’s the same routine every time, I plastered a smile on my face and told him she’d be home soon.

  Seeing his crestfallen face each and every time broke my heart. I knew it would be hours before she came in drunk as a skunk so I had plenty of time to get Tommy sorted and the house in order before retreating to my room.

  Trying to distract him from the momentary glitch in his normally happy mood, I asked if he was done with his homework and with his usual answer of ‘yup’, I turned to make the grilled cheese. He started to tell me about a girl in his class that kept sending him letters. I chuckled at him when he said it was yucky.

  I placed his grilled cheese in front of him and he started munching away eagerly. He was so resilient and as a boy of ten, he’d already been through so much. After our dad had up and left out of the blue five years ago, mom spiralled and started drinking; and I didn’t mean a glass of wine on a night to unwind, she was always drinking.

  I went through stages of feeling resentful of my peers, they got to go to parties and do everything a normal sixteen/seventeen-year-old does. Me? I had to quit school two years ago and do all my work from home so I could take on my mom’s hairdressing job that she failed to turn up at.

  Turns out I was a natural and Miss Debbie said she’d put me through the works to get me my cosmetology licence. I really loved the fast pace of the salon. In there, I could dig up all my creativity and just forget about responsibilities for the day.

  Snapping out of my reverie, I noticed I hadn’t even touched my sandwich so when Tommy asked if I was finished, I chuckled and slid it over to him.

  Once he polished mine off mine too, I took our plates over to the sink. “Right, kiddo, go clean your room.”

  I could see the reluctance building up so I turned back and said, “Go on, and I’ll let you have extra time to watch TV.” He gave the biggest grin and threw his arms up in the air with a high pitched ‘Yip’ as he started running down the hall into his bedroom.

  I found myself chuckling, how anybody in their right mind couldn’t be friends with that kid was beyond me. Just as I started the washing up my cell pinged. Gritting my teeth as I dry my hands, I hoped that this wasn’t another text about having to go pick up my mom. I blew out a breath, relieved that it wasn’t and fired back a quick text to my best friend Connor who invited me and Tommy to the little man made beach to watch the sunset.

  You know I can’t!

  Thirty seconds later, my phone was ringing and I answered, hearing the deep gravelly voice on the line.

  “You know you’re going to have to come out sometime, Red. You never do anything for you and don’t give me ‘I’m busy’.” I hated when he called me Red. It was a nickname he’d given to me after we first met in junior high, due to my flaming red hair and apparent feisty attitude.

  “Connor Hartley, don’t you use that name.” Even before I’d finished my sentence, his hearty laugh came over the receiver and the butterflies started deep in my stomach.

  “Ah come on, Sammy, whatever you have to do there can wait. Tommy will love it.” Connor knew my weakness was Tommy and he also knew how to play me on it. All my resolve went out the window as I agreed for him to pick us up in half an hour. That’d give me enough time to sort the majority of the house out.

  “Tommy, change of plans. We’re going on an adventure with Connor!” I called through to him as I started drying the few dishes that were on the side.

  “An adventure?” he shouted. “Where are we going? Who else will be there?” He always got far too excited resulting in him getting the hiccups.

  I laughed and went to talk to him. “It’s a surprise, I’ll only tell you if you clean your room super-fast.” I waggled my eyebrows at him as his face lit up as he started frantically picking things up.

  “And don’t just shove things in your cupboard!” I added as I walked into my room.

  Catching my reflection in the mirror on the wall opposite, my eyes widened. There was no way I was showing my face looking like this. It was just Connor, but there was nothing ‘just’ about Connor these days. I looked down at myself, cheese coated my leggings and my loose tee had seen better days.

  Raiding my closet, I sighed knowing I had only a few items of clothing to pick from. It was warm out so I settled on a pale blue flowing top and a pair of my favourite dark denim shorts. I grabbed a gray cardigan draping it over my purse for later on when it got a little breezy and headed for the bathroom to tame my frizzy red locks.

  Deciding there was nothing constructive I could do in a short amount of time, I shoved it up into a messy bun on the top of my head then put on a little mascara and some gloss. There, much better.

  “Tommy, you ready?” Just as I sh
outed, he came running down the hall with his superman cape on. “Nice accessory, where do you think we’re going?”

  He bounced up and down. “I don’t know but we might need a superhero!” I laughed at him, hearing a horn beep outside he made a beeline for the front door. I grabbed the keys and locked up before following him to Connor’s truck.

  “Con...Connor!” I shook myself out of my daydream and came face to face with one of my most competent workers and best friends.

  “Sorry, Mac, I’m not with it today.” I wondered how long he’d been standing there.

  The six-foot-two hulking, bearded man grinned back at me. “Women troubles?” he drawled, waggling his brows at me. I wished it was just that. I left earlier than Mac and Dalby today to get some paperwork done but truth be told, I just couldn’t concentrate.

  “Could say that,” I said, ignoring what he was insinuating. “How long left on Sweeney’s roof?” He paused for a few seconds, studying me.

  “Not gonna kiss and tell, huh? Okay, I’ll play along.” He shrugged. “I reckon we’ll be done by the end of tomorrow.” I rubbed at the stubble that was on my face having not had the chance to shave this morning.

  “Great. I need to ask you a favor,” I said, preparing for the questions that he was sure to ask. “I’m going away for a few days again and I need you to watch over things.” Mac raised his brow at me as I looked back at him.

  “Where do you go every year? If you’re jetting off to some luxury resort with women, I gotta tell you, as your best friend, I feel a little left out.”

  I chuckled and rolled my eyes. “I’m just going to see my mom for a few days before she jets off again, stop being a douche.” I started tapping away at my keyboard not really paying attention to what I was doing.

  “Doesn’t your mom only live three hours away?” he asked with a suspicious tone.

  I didn’t skip a beat. “Yeah, but I haven’t spent any proper time with her in the past few months and she’s been on at me to visit.” I was lying to him and I was sure he could tell but he didn’t let on.