Chapter One
Tomas
This is ridiculous.
Across the table from me, Edith Abercrombie rambles on about her book club’s latest selection. Now, don’t get me wrong, I love the crotchety old woman. In some ways, we’re absolute soul mates.
But all I wanted to do early this Tuesday morning was sit here, sip my coffee, scroll through the morning news on my tablet, and eat my breakfast in peace.
Apparently, that’s not happening.
Nearly every morning before I go in to work, I eat breakfast here at Alacea’s Diner, which is owned by a very nice guy named Bob. Most days lately, I can’t stand the dark silence of my home where memories of my old morning routine start to inevitably peck away at my heart.
Unfortunately Edith, and most everyone else in town, also knows this fact. My breakfast habits, that is, not my morning funk. They usually feel they have to sit down with me so I’m not “lonely.”
They don’t understand that I’m not looking for company. Except I don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings by asking them to leave me alone.
I force a smile as Edith stops talking long enough to sip from her own coffee cup. “It sounds like you already have a full house for book club tonight,” I tell her. “Besides, I don’t have a lot of time for pleasure reading right now. We’re going to start receiving our holiday stock soon and I need to plan my displays.”
That’s hopefully enough to deter her.
For now. Usually, claiming something about work makes people back off.
Her grey eyebrows adorably lift. “But sweetie, you’re all alone in that huge house every night! I can always make room on the sofa for you, believe me.”
“I’m not alone. Jester keeps me company.” And my house isn’t huge. It’s a three-two, the same house I was raised in, and it’s only a couple of blocks from my store.
Although it has felt pretty empty the last three—
No.Notthinking about him right now.
It’s exactly the kind of weakness Edith would seize upon to insist I show up at her book club tonight, and she won’t hesitate to try to enlist help from everyone else if she senses even the slightest weakness in me.
She nudges her wire-rimmed glasses up her nose. “You’re all alone with your cat, honey.”
“Having a cat means I’m not alone.”
Her lips purse. “How are your parents doing? I e-mailed Paulette yesterday but she hasn’t e-mailed me back yet.”
“They’re out in Wyoming right now. She probably doesn’t have cell service, much less Internet. They’re enjoying Yellowstone.”
Her eyebrows lift again. “Ah. Are they having fun? I’ve missed them.”
“I know Dad’s having fun. Mom’s probably just glad to be retired.” I force another smile, something I’m pretty good at doing. “I’m sure there’s a ‘misery loves company’ aspect to him passing the store to me that she’s enjoying like crazy.”
Don’t get me wrong. I love my parents, and I don’t begrudge them their nomadic lifestyle, either. They’ve earned every bit of their retirement. Mom was principal of Maudlin Falls High for over twenty years after teaching there another ten years before that.
I like even better that they don’t live here full-time anymore. Otherwise, Dad would be in the store every day, just wanting to “help” while doing anything but. For the past six years, they’ve been on the road and enjoying their life. Meaning I’ve had free rein to bring the store into a more modern age without having to spend most of my time trying to talk my dad into the changes first.
Mom confided in me that was one reason she put her foot down about wanting to buy the condo in Arizona that’s their new “home.” When they visit Maudlin Falls, they’ll sometimes stay with me, but usually prefer their RV, which they can park in my backyard.
We all need our personal space.
Edith chuckles. “She might have mentioned something about that when she finally put her foot down and made Ronald officially hand it over to you.” Her smile fades. “How soon before you get sick of it? Of running a store in a small town?”
I shrug, sitting back in the booth. “I’m not going anywhere. This is my home and where I belong.”
“But don’t you miss…” Fortunately, she lets her words drift into the abyss. “Wereallyneed to find you a new boyfriend, sweetie.” She sharply nods, as if that’s that.
