The Calendar of New Beginnings by Ava Miles Read Free Book Online Page A

all, the company would pay out her remaining vacation time.
    That slapped Moira back. Taylor wouldn’t even give her the professional courtesy of two weeks to transition everything. Well, so be it.
    When Moira ended the call, she noted it had only taken two minutes and thirty-eight seconds to change her life. But she felt free. And lighter.  
    Turning off her cell phone, she went back inside. Matt and Natalie were waiting for her, anxious looks on their faces.
    “I quit,” she told them, “and Taylor is such a bitch she won’t even let me stay around for two weeks to help transition a new person.”
    “She probably already has someone in mind,” Matt said, frowning. “Well, at least you’re done with her. You don’t want to work with someone like that. How much vacation do you have?”
    “Six weeks,” she told them. “Plenty of time to find a new job.” And the payout would float her financially so she wouldn’t have to dip into her savings. Something to be grateful for.
    “I’m proud of you for not staying in a miserable position any longer.” Natalie gave her a hug. “You’re going to find an even better job in no time.”
    “Damn skippy I will.”
    Caroline, Jane, and her mom came over, followed by her cousins, Meredith and Jill.
    “Looks like there’s a celebration, and we’re missing out,” her mom said, ruffling Danny’s hair when he ran over to join them.
    “I’ve had it with my boss,” she said, reaching for her whiskey again, “so I just gave my notice, which she accepted. I’m going to find a new job with a nice boss.”
    “Good for you,” her mother said, putting her arm around her. “I didn’t like how that Taylor woman has been treating you. If I were her mother, I would have sent her to time out. Matt, pour me a little of that whiskey so I can toast Moira’s decision.”
    There was a chorus of agreement from her family. Moira already felt better. She always did when she was with them. When Andy returned with Lucy, she’d have to share her news with him. He was always reminding her life was too short to stay in a bad situation, something Kim’s death had taught them all.
    “And do you know what?” she said, lifting her glass. “I’m going to take a spa day in Aspen and then spend some time in Dare Valley. Natalie, do you think I could use one of your cars? Caroline, you’ll have to drive back without me. Mom, can I stay with you?”
    “Of course you can, honey,” her mother said in delight. “You deserve some time off in between jobs. Once you’ve rested, you can look for a new job. Maybe you’ll find something in Dare Valley.”
    Her siblings all looked at her—they were well aware of their mom’s hope that all her chickens would come home to roost.
    “Who knows?” she said to be agreeable to her mother. The last thing she wanted was to take a pay cut or a title dip, something she’d expect from the smaller job pool in Dare Valley. “There might be something.”
    Either way, Moira was going to find the best damn job out there.

Chapter 4       

    Lucy lurched up in bed when a harsh pounding broke through her consciousness.  
    Was someone coming for her?
    Her gaze flew to the door. For a moment, she didn’t know where she was. Congo? Her vision was blurry, which only pumped more adrenaline through her system. Then she recognized her old pine dresser, topped with a photo of her and her parents cross-country skiing. A younger George Clooney smiled wickedly at her from the poster her mother had left on her purple walls.  
    She was in Dare Valley. Recovering from the attack. Right. That was why her vision was wonky.
    “Lucy!” her mother called from the other side of the door. “Time to rise and shine.”  
    The jarring wake-up call was another reason she couldn’t stay with her parents. Ellen O’Brien did not believe in sleeping. She said people died in bed, so best not spend too much time there. The door cracked open, causing her to jump.
    Her