Chapter 1: Meeting The Cruz Family

  “A powerful ideal/philosophy is only powerful when a person cherishes it more than anything else.”

  The morning sun crested over the rolling hills, casting a golden glow across the countryside. Victor Cruz stood on the porch of his modest farmhouse, sipping his coffee and enjoying the tranquility that had become the hallmark of his new life. The air was crisp, carrying the scent of pine and the promise of another peaceful day.

  It has been four years since Victor had moved to this secluded part of the world after retiring from the military, seeking joy in the quiet life, away from the chaos that had once defined his existence. He lives in the small village called Oakridge, a place where very few resides. Everyone sees one another as family, and there were hardly any disputes worth mentioning.

  Before now, Victor’s life had been a whirlwind of deployments and high-stakes operations, each mission leaving an indelible mark on his soul. When his wife left him, taking with her their children, he had felt alone. But there was a type of tranquility in the midst of his solitude that he adored, among the fields and forests, he eventually found a semblance of peace.

  As the man took another sip of his coffee, his eyes scanning the horizon. The distant sound of a car engine broke the silence, drawing his attention. It was rare to see a vehicle on the narrow dirt road that led to his home. With his curiosity piqued, Victor watched as a moving truck followed by a sleek sedan appeared, making its way towards the empty house next door.

  "New neighbors," he mused aloud, setting his mug on the porch railing. It had been a while since anyone had lived in the old farmhouse. He wondered who they might be and what had brought them to this quiet corner of the world.

  As the vehicles arrived next door, Victor observed a woman emerging from the sedan. She possessed striking beauty, with dark hair flowing down her shoulders, exuding an urban sophistication that contrasted with the rural setting. Following her, two children – a boy and a girl – joyfully exited, their laughter echoing through the surroundings.

  Victor observed the woman guiding the movers. Catching his eye, the woman hesitantly waved, to which he responded with a nod. When their eyes met for the first time, it was only for one second, Victor felt his heart race unexpectedly. At his advanced age, he was surprised by the rush of emotions she stirred within him. Something about her captivated him.

  The day moved leisurely, with Victor following his regular routine, yet his mind was preoccupied with thoughts of the new neighbors. As the sun began to set, Victor wrapped up his tasks in the kitchen. He was getting ready a welcoming present. Taking a freshly baked cake out of the oven, a delightful scent wafted through the room. Baking had become one of Victor's simple joys since retiring, a way to keep busy and engaged.

  With the cake carefully boxed, he made his way next door. The evening air was cool and still, and he could hear the muffled sounds of the woman settling in with her children. He knocked on their door and waited.

  The door immediately opened with woman standing by, surprised by the sudden visit. “Good evening, you’re our neighbor, right?”

  Victor nodded yes in reply. “Yes, I live next door to you. My name is Victor Cruz, feel free to call me Victor”

  “Oh, I wouldn’t dare” the woman replied, flustered. “I-I think Mr. Cruz would be better. I have to mind my manners” she added.

  “My name is Sarah D Almaty. A pleasure to meet you” she introduced herself.

  "Mr. Cruz, what brings you by?"

  Victor held up the cake with a warm smile. "Thought I'd officially welcome you to the neighborhood. I baked this myself. Hope you like cake."

  Sarah's eyes widened, and for a moment, Victor saw a flicker of something—anxiety, perhaps—cross her face. But she quickly recovered, taking the box from him with a grateful smile. "Thank you so much, Mr. Cruz. That’s very kind of you."

  "It's nothing," Victor responded, his gaze unwavering. He sensed that something was off; her initial response had not escaped his notice. Years of disciplined training had honed his ability to observe others' actions and even the most subtle behavioral cues. It was evident to him that Sarah was more than just a newcomer looking for tranquility in the city. There was a tale behind her relocation, one she was not prepared to divulge.

  The way how she neglected to introduce her children, despite them being in earshot, or how those kids decided not to show themselves also gave Victor something to think about. “They’re a mysterious bunch” the old man thought to himself.

  "If you ever need anything, don’t hesitate to ask," Victor added gently. "We look out for each other around here."

  Sarah nodded, her smile a bit more genuine this time. "I appreciate that. Really."

  As he turned to leave, he glanced back and saw Sarah watching him, a thoughtful expression on her face. He walked home, his mind turning over the brief interaction. She was hiding something—of that he was certain. But whatever it was, it was clear she needed space and support, not prying questions.

  The next day dawned bright and warm. Jack settled into his favorite rocking chair on the porch, a book in hand but his attention often drifting to the comings and goings along the road. He always keeps a cooler filled with cold water and a basket of homemade sweets near his entrance gate, offering refreshment to any passerby who might need it. The sun could be harsh in these parts, and Victor enjoyed the brief interactions with his neighbors.

  Throughout the day, Victor observed Sarah as she went about her business. In the morning, she drove to get groceries, her children in tow. Later, she dropped them off at the local school. Seeing how Sarah engaged with the other parents and neighbors brought a sigh of relief to Victor. One of his fears was that the woman might not have fit in with the rest of the people close by. Despite her reserved personality on the surface, she was surprisingly extroverted, always quick with a smile or a friendly word.

  When evening approached, Victor noticed Sarah walking up to his gate with a pie in her hands. She looked nervous as she took hesitant steps towards him.

  "Hi, Mr. Cruz" she called out softly. "I wanted to thank you for the cake. It was delicious, so I made you an apple pie."

  Victor’s heart warmed at her gesture, but he couldn't help but feel a twinge of regret as he replied, "Sarah, that’s very kind of you, but I’m actually allergic to apples."

  Sarah's face flushed with embarrassment, her eyes widening in surprise. "Oh, I—I'm so sorry. I didn’t know." She stumbled over her words.

  Victor gave her a reassuring smile. "It’s alright, really. It’s the thought that counts. Why don’t you keep the pie? I’m sure your kids will enjoy it."

  She nodded quickly, still looking flustered. "Thank you, Mr. Cruz. I’m sorry again." She turned and hurried back to her house, the pie clutched tightly in her hands.

  Later that evening, Victor saw Sarah approaching his gate again. This time, she carried a different pie, her steps more determined than earlier.

  "Mr. Cruz!" she called out as she reached his gate. "I made a strawberry pie. I hope this is okay."

  Jack couldn’t help but chuckle at her persistence. "Sarah, you really didn’t have to go to all this trouble."

  Sarah grinned, her eyes reflecting a mix of hope and apology. "I wanted to. To make up for earlier."

  The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

  Victor took the pie from her hands, appreciating her effort. "Thank you, Sarah. It looks wonderful."

  In truth, Victor wasn’t particularly fond of pies of any kind, but he wasn’t about to refuse her again. He cut a slice and took a bite, giving her a warm smile. "Delicious," he said, his voice sincere despite his true feelings about pie.

  Sarah clapped her hands, visibly relieved. "I’m glad you like it."

  As they chatted for a few minutes, Victor felt a deeper connection forming. He admired her resilience and kindness, qualities that mirrored his own. Conversing with the young woman before him, caused him to question what his own daughter was doing currently. Ever since his divorce, he has not made any contact with her.

  Victor saw some of his own child’s qualities in Sarah, and he knew then that he would do whatever it took to protect her and her children, even if it meant confronting the shadows of her past.

  The week flew by with Sarah and Victor casually greeting each other. Sarah seemed to blend into the neighborhood almost too well, causing Victor to think more about her past. What was she doing here? Why did she come to the middle of nowhere? Who was the father of her children? She was a woman of many mysteries, kind to a fault.

  On a Friday evening, Victor engaged in a conversation with a neighbor of similar age. The neighbor, a man in his late fifties, had long brown hair reaching his shoulders, brown eyes, and a strong muscular build.

  “Say Xavier, have you spoken to the new woman in our village?” asked Victor curiously.

  “No I haven’t, but I’ve heard rumors about her quickly spreading” Xavier replied, lowering his voice.

  “Rumors?” This was the first time Victor heard of such a thing. He leaned forward, for Xavier to whisper in his ears. “I’m not sure where these rumors originate from, but people are saying that the children she brought with her, are not her own. They were kidnapped”

  “Preposterous!” Victor immediately denied that claim.

  “I don’t believe it either, however we can’t overlook the fact that her children does not resemble her at all,” said Xavier.

  Victor doubted the rumors and told Xavier to never speak of it again. “You should strike a conversation with her sometime. Maybe then you’d know she is not the type of person” Victor told his friend.

  “Type of person? You speak as if you know her. Please remember she’s only been here for five days” Xavier reminded.

  In that same moment, a soccer ball came rolling by Xavier’s feet. “Hmm?” the two men looked ahead and saw a boy running their way. The two men looked up to see a young boy, around eight or nine years old, running towards them with an anxious expression. His hair was tousled, and his cheeks were flushed from running.

  "Excuse me, sir," the boy said, his voice timid. "Can I have my ball back, please?"

  Xavier picked up the soccer ball and held it out with a friendly smile. "Sure thing, buddy. What's your name?"

  The boy hesitated, glancing briefly at Victor before answering. "I'm Ethan."

  "Nice to meet you, Ethan. I'm Xavier, and this is Mr. Cruz," Xavier said, gesturing to Victor. "You must be Sarah's son, right?"

  Ethan nodded shyly. "Yes, sir."

  Victor smiled warmly. "It's nice to meet you, Ethan. How are you liking Oakridge so far?"

  Ethan shrugged, his eyes darting between the two men. "It's okay, I guess. It's really quiet here."

  Xavier knelt down to Ethan's level, holding the soccer ball between them. "Do you play soccer, Ethan?"

  "A little," Ethan replied, looking down at his feet. "I'm not very good at it, though."

  "Nonsense," Xavier said with a grin. "Everyone starts somewhere. How about I show you a few tricks? Would you like that?"

  Ethan's eyes brightened slightly, and he nodded. "Okay."

  Xavier stood up and placed the ball on the ground. "Alright, let's start with something simple. This is called dribbling. You just use the inside of your feet to control the ball. Like this." He demonstrated by gently tapping the ball from one foot to the other.

  Ethan watched intently, then gave it a try. He was hesitant at first, his movements awkward, but Xavier encouraged him.

  "That's it, Ethan! Keep practicing, and you'll get the hang of it in no time," Xavier said. "Now, let's try passing. Stand a few feet away from me and kick the ball towards me."

  Ethan did as he was told, kicking the ball with more confidence this time. It rolled smoothly to Xavier, who trapped it with his foot and passed it back.

  "Great job!" Xavier praised. "Remember, it's all about control. Try to keep the ball close to your feet and use the inside of your foot to pass."

  Ethan practiced a few more passes, each one improving with Xavier's guidance. Victor watched with a smile, appreciating Xavier's patience and the way Ethan's confidence seemed to grow with each successful pass.

  "You're doing fantastic, Ethan," Victor said. "You know, when I was your age, I used to play soccer with my friends every day. It's a great way to make new friends."

  Ethan looked up at Victor, a small smile forming on his lips. "Really?"

  "Absolutely," Victor replied. "And who knows? Maybe one day you'll be the best player in Oakridge."

  Ethan laughed, the sound light and joyful. "Maybe."

  As the lesson continued, Sarah appeared, walking towards them with a curious expression. She watched for a moment, then called out, "Ethan! Time to come inside."

  Ethan turned to see his mother and nodded. "Okay, Mom!" He looked back at Xavier and Victor, his smile widening. "Thanks for teaching me, Mr. Xavier. And it was nice to meet you, Mr. Cruz."

  "Anytime, Ethan," Xavier said with a wave. "Keep practicing, and you'll be a pro in no time."

  "Take care, Ethan," Victor added.

  Ethan ran off to join his mother, who gave the men a grateful smile before guiding her son back towards their house. As they walked away, Xavier turned to Victor.

  "He's a good kid," Xavier remarked. "And you know, I think you're right. There's more to Sarah than meets the eye."

  Victor nodded thoughtfully. "Yes, there is. And it's up to us to make sure she and her children feel safe and welcome here."

  Xavier agreed, clapping Victor on the shoulder. "Let's keep an eye out for them. After all, that's what neighbors are for."

  As the sun set over Oakridge, the two men stood in companionable silence, watching as the shadows lengthened and the village settled into the calm of evening. Victor and Xavier spent the rest of their days, reminiscing about their time in the military.

  The next day, on a Saturday, Victor decided to take a stroll to the nearby valley, hoping to soak his body in the fresh and relaxing river that was a popular hangout spot in his village. As he approached the river, he was surprised to see a young girl by herself in the water. She appeared frustrated, her face flushed with anger. Victor approached the girl in a swimsuit, sensing something was wrong. He recognized the girl to be Sarah’s daughter from next door.

  "Hey there," he called gently. "Are you alright? Is your mother around?"

  The girl turned away from him, ignoring his questions and moving several spaces away. Victor could tell she was upset, but he decided to give her some space, not wanting to push too hard. Minutes passed as he remained in the water, keeping an eye on her from a respectful distance.

  By midday, the girl took a deep breath and retraced her steps towards Victor. Her earlier anger seemed to have cooled off. She hesitated for a moment before speaking.

  "Hey geezer, Do you know any fun spots around here?" she asked, her voice tinged with frustration. "Is there anywhere with internet access? Life here is so different from the city. It's miserable."

  Victor smiled sympathetically. "I understand how you feel. Moving to a new place can be tough, especially when it's so different from what you're used to. Oakridge is quiet, but it has its own charm”

  The girl showed no reaction to what she heard. Rather than responding, she seemed ready to walk away with a disappointed look. Just before she left, Victor offered, "Feel free to use my Wi-Fi for internet access."

  The girl's expression softened slightly. "Thanks. It's just... hard. I miss my friends and everything I used to do."

  Victor nodded. "It's always challenging at first. But give it some time. You might find things here that you enjoy. And if you ever need someone to talk to, I'm just next door."

  The girl’s smile vanished as she replied, "Thanks. I appreciate it."

  "By the way," Victor said, extending his hand. "I'm Victor Cruz. "

  She shook his hand. "I'm Emily Cruz. We’ve already met."

  “Yes we have, back when I introduced myself to your mother right? Neither you or your brother stepped up then” Victor reminded.

  Emily explained, "We apologize if we seemed impolite. We were simply exercising caution."

  “It’s fine, at least now I know your name. Your mother didn’t seem interested in telling me them” Victor sighed. The two left the river soon after a crowd arrived to play. Victor guided Emily back to the village, engaging her in conversation about her interests and the things she missed from the city. He learned that she loved painting and was quite talented at it. He suggested she try painting the beautiful landscapes around Oakridge, which seemed to intrigue her.

  When they approached Sarah's house, they saw her pacing outside, clearly in distraught. When she spotted Emily, relief flooded her face.

  "Emily!" Sarah exclaimed, rushing over to hug her daughter. "Where have you been? You didn’t tell me you’d be gone for so long!"

  Emily looked away from her mother, slightly annoyed by her mother’s tight grip on her. "I just needed some time alone by the river."

  Sarah hugged her tightly, then looked at Victor with gratitude. "Thank you, Mr. Cruz. I was so worried."

  "You're welcome, Sarah," Victor replied. "Emily just needed a little time to herself. She’s a good kid."

  Sarah nodded, her eyes glistening with tears. "I appreciate it. Really, thank you."

  Later that evening, Victor sat in his usual rocky chair, reflecting on the day's events. The interaction with Emily had given him a new sense of purpose. He thought about his own daughter and the estrangement that had followed his divorce. Maybe, in helping Sarah and her children, he could find some redemption for his past mistakes.

  “I wonder what she’s doing right now” Victor asked out loud. He took out a pen and paper and began writing a letter. He was old fashioned and preferred to send messages this way. “Shawna, I really miss you.”