Old Castle Road Trip: Chosen Family, #3

By Amanda Daire

Best friends, Elanna and Khrista, go on a last-minute road trip to reunite grumpy old Gerard with his long-lost love and to find--or lose--themselves along the way.

An elderly man with a second shot at finding love.

A mom of three teens seeking solace from a husband whose problematic behaviors threaten to shatter the image she so carefully cultivated.

A best friend searching for answers to her career questions.

A weekend in the city turns into a cross-country road trip, with plenty of bumps along the way.

On their quest to reunite Gerard with his old flame, will Elanna and Khrista be able to weather all the storms in their path?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Pink Elephant Press
• Release date: Oct 8, 2022
• ISBN: 9798215427279

Book preview

1

KHRISTA

Khrista

Khrista exchanged a meaningful look with her best friend Elanna as they stood in line at the island’s famed Happil-TEA Ever After Tea Room, waiting to order. Customers crowded the shop, mainly parents who craved adult contact and caffeine, but the line had shortened as owner and town matriarch Clarice took orders and served her guests with an ease that stemmed from decades of experience.

Unfortunately, there had been a pronounced lull in the chatter at the precise moment Gerard, affectionately known as the town grouch, began to—loudly—voice his usual complaints.

Khrista leaned toward Elanna as they watched Gerard waving his arms and gesturing at the chalkboard menu hanging on the back wall, then at Clarice, the bakery case, and at something behind the counter. His voice rose and his shoulders stiffened. Should we step in?

Elanna shook her head, her blonde hair swaying gently before settling back into magazine-cover perfection. Clarice knows how to handle him. And the rest of the spectators need to learn how to coexist with grumpy old Gerard.

Khrista turned back to listen to Gerard’s complaints. His deep voice continued to rise as Clarice waited patiently for him to finish his ranting so she could take his order.

And these blasted cats. Cats here. Cats there. Cats everywhere. There’s cat hair on your counter, for crying out loud. And don’t you dare tell me I’m not seeing and hearing goats when everyone knows you’ve got something going on back there. What kind of establishment is this?

Clarice nodded sympathetically. It’s the same establishment you’ve been coming to every day for decades. And the cats have been here nearly half that time. They’re available for adoption if you’d like to give one a nice home…

Gerard made an indistinguishable sound.

Khrista wished Clarice would slip up and explain the goat thing that had been baffling all her customers, but Clarice maintained her composure with only the slightest grimace and allowed Gerard’s accusation to bounce off her armor.

Gerard shook a crooked finger in the air. The health board ought to get in here and see what all goes on.

They have been, I assure you. We are well within compliance. In fact, they’ve invited me to present a workshop to new businesses.

Gerard continued, as if Clarice hadn’t spoken. "And so much tea. Tea this. Tea that. What about a good old cup of coffee?"

I have coffee I can offer you, but as I’ve told you and as you have made sure I’m aware, it’s not my specialty. This is a tearoom, Gerard.

Someone in this town ought to open a coffee room. Tea… His mutters blended until Khrista couldn’t make out individual words.

The young women in the line behind Gerard and in front of Khrista shifted impatiently, mumbling to themselves about how he should be put in a home. Khrista’s mild amusement over Gerard’s trademark attitude fled as she listened to them gripe about only having so much time before they had to pick their children up from preschool and how it was so unfair that Gerard was being placated at their expense. Their complaints grew louder, poking and prodding at Khrista’s irritation with every sigh and dramatic hand-on-hip.

Sure, Gerard could be a pain, but he was harmless. And he had been a resident of this island long before any of those young women were even born.

If similar loud-mouthed gossips hadn’t forced her out of her teaching job, would Khrista have had their children in her classroom this year?

Despite Elanna’s advice, she opened her mouth to stand up for Gerard, but her friend’s hand on her arm stopped her. Elanna never liked to make a scene.

Khrista bit the inside of her cheek. Her face grew hotter, and she feared igniting the room with her temper if her words blazed out of her mouth.

Are you ready for me to take your order, Gerard? We have a line building up behind you. Clarice’s calmness soothed Khrista’s frayed nerves like a lullaby, forcing the kindling flames into a simmer.

Everyone’s in a hot rush these days. Gerard spun around to scowl at the people behind him. Khrista smiled reassuringly, hoping he’d feel her warmth. Obviously, he was having a bad day.She scanned the room for his twin sister, Geraldine, who normally kept him out of trouble, but Geraldine was nowhere to be found.

Well, I’m not about to leave without getting my caffeine. You know what I like.

Clarice’s grin threatened to swallow her face–always so genuine. She knew and truly loved everybody on this island, no matter how much chaos kicked up in their wake.

Take a seat, Gerard, while I help the people behind you. I’ll bring the tea over to you as soon as it’s ready.

Now how are you going to make my blasted tea if you’re standing here taking orders from these people? He gestured widely, his joints looking a little stiff, but irritation punctuated his gesture. You need to hire more help. And in the meantime, you should serve the ones who got here first.

The sooner you step away, the sooner I can get to your tea. But everyone else would like theirs as well.

Grumbling and shoulders slumped, Gerard shuffled away. He paused at the edge of the table area to scowl at the crowd once again before storming off to find a seat.

About time. That man is a menace, one woman, whom Khrista didn’t know, bellyached loud enough for everyone to hear.

Khrista’s gut burned and she could no longer hold back.

That man used to run this island, and he did a darned good job of it. Let’s not speak ill of our seniors.

Elanna’s discomfort zinged palpably as her tense giggle and lighthearted attempt at distraction sought to smooth over the peace Khrista had unintentionally crumpled. Did you all see that Clarice added chocolate raspberry cold brew tea to the menu? I haven’t tried that yet, have you? Sounds delicious.

The young women ignored Elanna’s attempt at small talk and conversed quieter among themselves in response, but not before casting a glare at Khrista’s angry face. Once they’d placed their orders, they strode past Gerard, who hadn’t made it to a table and was shooing cats away from him as the over-friendly felines gathered around his feet. The women Khrista had chastised kept their faces shielded from Khrista’s glaring view.

Imagine if I had to deal with those people at my old school? Khrista cringed at the thought. I’d rather be shamed out of a job I once loved than have to cater to people like that.

I guess that’s the silver lining you’ve been looking for, Elanna teased. But you would have loved their children the same way you’ve loved all the children.

Her best friend was right. Khrista never would have held the actions of the parents against the kids. She would have done her best to teach kindness and tolerance and respect. Khrista appreciated Elanna’s chipper response, as she was still reeling at the onslaught of unresolved feelings over her job loss all those months ago. When would she learn that burying things didn’t dull the sharp edges?

As Khrista and Elanna stepped closer to the counter, Clarice greeted them with a bright smile and an exaggerated eye roll. Nice to see your friendly—and patient—faces.

Elanna glanced over at Gerard and shook her head. Gerard’s having a bad day, huh? You can get his tea. We’ll wait.

Clarice dissented. "He needs to be patient. If I start giving into him on every little thing, he’ll really become a menace."

He has seemed more cranky than usual lately. Everything okay with him? And where’s Geraldine? Elanna asked.

Clarice let out a long sigh. She was here with him when they first came in, but she threw up her hands and said she couldn’t take his complaining anymore, and then she marched out. I’ll make her tea as well, because I’m sure she’ll be back in a few minutes. Probably just needed some fresh air.

Khrista remained quiet, still ticked off at the nerve of those women, while Elanna carried the conversation. "I don’t blame her. I don’t know how she deals with him all the time. She’s such a positive person, and he’s, well, he’s Gerard. I guess he absorbed all the negativity in the womb."

It’s always been that way, Clarice said. The odd couple. The grumpy twin and the cheerful one. But you know as well as I do that they both have hearts of gold.

Though Khrista had loved the island since she’d discovered it over twenty years ago, she’d grown jaded since suffering the brunt of the gossip in recent months. Every day she worked on forgiving the past, but she could see how someone like Gerard would grow bitter over time.

Despite his crabbiness, though, Khrista would never forget the bags of food she had caught him anonymously leaving on her doorstep during a tough time when she struggled to make ends meet with a young daughter to care for so many years ago, or the electric bill that had been paid when she teetered dangerously close to having the lights turned off. Though he never admitted or allowed her to acknowledge his generosity, she’d always hold a soft spot for him. Even when he annoyed her.

Elanna slid a fifty-dollar bill across the counter. This is for his next few visits. Maybe that’ll cheer him up. A random act of kindness.

Clarice laughed, her shoulders bouncing in merriment. It’ll probably infuriate him.

Elanna glanced in his direction, and Khrista followed her gaze to the table he’d claimed. They watched him brush a cat off a chair but then reach down to scratch the gray tiger between her ears.

Really, though, Khrista said, concern for Gerard replacing her anger. Is he okay?

Clarice sighed once again. Well, your mother may have inadvertently stirred up a little drama in old Gerard’s life.

A nostalgic ball of fear gathered in Khrista’s belly. She hadn’t worried about her mother embarrassing her since their reconciliation and Daisy’s move to Old Castle to be closer to Khrista, but had that lack of trepidation been a mistake? The old feelings of her youth returned, and though she thought she had banished them all to the rocky past, they slipped her back in time to the days when Khrista did not get along with her mother.

She visualized a big red stop sign in her mind, her signal to put the past back in the box it belonged in and focus on the present, which included a mother who was no longer estranged or abusive and who had done her own healing since the death of her cruel husband.

It’s not that dire. Wipe that nervous look off your face. Clarice started processing some of the orders she had taken, but spoke in a loud whisper over her shoulder. During a slow moment here in the tearoom a couple of weeks ago, Daisy showed Gerard the power of the internet. You know how obsessed and proud your mother is of her online sleuthing. She thought if she could help Gerard connect with some friends from his past, maybe he’d find some good cheer. Well, Gerard connected right away with an old classmate, and the old classmate got him in touch with another old classmate who just so happened to be an old love of his.

Khrista and Elanna gasped at the same time. Khrista spoke first. "Gerard is in love!"

So why is he grumpy? Is she married? Elanna asked.

Clarice shook her head, a mischievous grin appearing. Actually, she’s widowed. And she invited him to come see her. He’s been grumpy as anything ever since.

Is he planning to go?

She lives out in Oregon, where he grew up and went to school before moving here after he discharged from the military. Trust me, if I had the time to help him realize this dream of reuniting with his old lost love, I’d jump at the opportunity. The only time I’ve ever seen his face light up is when he’s talked about this woman or when he’s drinking my butterscotch tea. And can you believe it? His face gets brighter talking about her than when sipping my tea.

I do love how he claims to hate your tea while also making sure he never misses a day. Khrista glanced back at Gerard as he used a napkin to scrub a spot on the table.

Elanna pulled out her phone and slid to open a browser. Khrista sensed her friend was firmly entrenched in planning mode—Elanna’s favorite mode of all. I want to help him. What does he need for this to happen? A ride to the airport?

Neither Gerard nor his sister Geraldine had driven for many years, and both were too proud to ask for help. Luckily, the small island afforded them the convenience of walking to all the stores they needed.

Elanna tapped into her calendar and drew her eyebrows together the way she always did while thinking. I know he’d never ask for a ride, but I’m sure we can come up with a plan to convince him to let us help.

Khrista collected napkins from the dispenser as a gleeful thought erupted. Girls’ trip into the city?

Elanna snapped her head up, and a mischievous look Khrista recognized from their teen years overtook her face. Oh, yes. We’ll take him to the airport and make a weekend of it. We can stay in Boston and do all the indulgent touristy things. I’ve been wanting to do that with you for the longest time, Khrista.

Elanna slipped her phone back into her purse and retrieved her wallet once again, while Khrista considered what it would take to make this work.

It would be a good time to get away. With Kaelyn and Oliver preparing to take their second honeymoon and my mom leaving tomorrow to celebrate her remission and her marriage in Italy with Rafael, plus Matt keeping himself busy on his projects… Khrista looked at Clarice. What do you think?

Clarice responded, I think it would be wonderful. But I don’t know how you’ll get him on board.

They gave their tea orders—peach green tea for Khrista and English Breakfast for Elanna—and Elanna smiled brightly, extending her credit card to Clarice and brushing away Khrista’s attempts to offer her own card. Leave the convincing to me. I’ve been told I can be persuasive.

That’s for sure, Clarice said. Well, if anyone can get him to agree, it’s the two of you.

After Clarice gave Elanna a receipt, the conniving pair strolled toward Gerard, who scowled at a cat that had jumped up on the seat and was now rubbing against his hip. Despite his grouchy face, however, Gerard didn’t move away or shoo the cat.

Elanna drew Khrista a couple of feet away from Gerard. She lowered her voice to ask the question that Khrista suspected plagued both their minds.

You really want to do this? It’s a perfect time for me, honestly. With the kids gone for the next two weeks and Cam working overtime all the time, I wouldn’t mind a little getaway.

Excitement bubbled up in Khrista’s chest. Her mother’s cancer treatments had taken a lot out of Khrista—not that she was about to complain, considering how the treatments had sapped the strength of her newly married mother. Now that Daisy was in remission after undergoing surgery, chemo, and radiation, Khrista no longer took any time for granted and was eager to enjoy life. Matt had worried as Khrista poured herself into the caretaking role, terrified she’d reach a breaking point that would threaten her health and sobriety. It would thrill him to hear about the weekend getaway, especially since she had been venting to him about needing alone time with Elanna.

They had so much still to catch up on.

Sure, the best friends knew more about each other than anyone else did, but Khrista sensed there was so much going on that Elanna hadn’t been able to talk about yet. Every time Khrista broached the subject of Cam and her practically proven suspicions about his mistreatment of Elanna, something had interfered and they couldn’t have the conversation. If they had a full weekend together, she could convince Elanna to confide in her. And maybe then Khrista could actually get her to take the steps she so desperately needed to take.

Khrista wanted Elanna’s happiness. And she also wanted her longtime friend to feel empowered enough to leave a dangerous situation. She had come close before—Khrista desperately wanted to know what had stopped her.

"I am so in, Khrista said. A weekend in Boston with you would be amazing. It would be just like when we were little kids and had sleepovers at your house. Except this time we can have as many sweets as we want."

Elanna laughed. "Well, you can. You seem to eat whatever you want and maintain your figure. If I even look at the sweets for too long, I put on weight."

That’s not even remotely true. You worry too much. Besides, there are worse things in the world than gaining weight.

Elanna looked away, but before the curtain of a façade fell over her face, Khrista glimpsed something.

Her best friend since childhood, Elanna had moved to Old Castle right after Khrista found herself on the island. They had grown up in the same town in Virginia, and neither of them had childhoods worth remembering. But they always had each other, and it delighted Khrista when Elanna made her home on the same island.

Though Khrista had raised her daughter on her own—with the community’s help, of course—Elanna had lived the fairytale dream.

Cam, a police officer who came from a wealthy, well-connected family on the island, had swept the gorgeous, flawless Elanna off her feet. She had slipped into the position of a privileged woman quite comfortably, although she hadn’t known of Cameron’s financial status when she fell for him. She now resided in one of the biggest houses on the island, had three of the most perfect children imaginable, always dressed to impress, and never had so much as a hair out of place.

Some women would—and did—resent Elanna for