Inside Granny and Pops’s, Elizabeth leaned against the front door. Ryder didn’t kiss her. Why didn’t he kiss her? Her heart had been pounding so hard she could barely breathe. But thank goodness he hadn’t. Because the way he made her feel…She wasn’t sure she would’ve stopped him.
She glanced at herself in the hall mirror. “You know darn well you cannot let him kiss you.”
“Is that you, Beth?” Granny called from the family room.
“It’s the boogeyman, Granny.” Her voice wavered with bottled-up tears. No, she’d not cry. Women bound for Fortune 100 companies did not cry. Women carrying the kissing virus were bound for a life without romance. She’d have to buck up. “He’s demanding chocolate cake for a ransom.”
“Chocolate cake?” Granny appeared in the doorway in her yoga pants and oversized UT T-shirt. At eighty-two, she looked youthful, at rest in her soul. Elizabeth felt restless, full of turmoil. “You’re in luck. I have one slice left.” She made a face as she moved toward Elizabeth. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” Then, “Oh, Granny.” She fell into her warm, soft embrace and wept.
8
She’d overslept, forgetting to set her alarm the night before. Her room was filled with the thin light of morning and the fragrant smell of eggs, bacon, and coffee from the kitchen. Yet she wasn’t hungry.
After crying in Granny’s arms, never confessing what bothered her, then washing down chocolate cake with a glass of milk, she hauled herself upstairs for a warm shower and a dab of antiseptic on her leg. Why, oh why, did his “not kiss” upset her? She was glad he didn’t. Honest. The last thing she needed in Hearts Bend, Tennessee, was for her heart to be bent.
She always knew the name of this town meant more than the place where the road curved around the Cumberland River in a heart shape.
When she came down dressed for work, Pops and Granny sat at the kitchen table with oversized smiles. Sure enough, Granny had told Pops about the tears.
“Sleep well?” Granny said.
“You don’t have to pretend I wasn’t a mess last night.” She took a glass from the cupboard. “I was just overtired.”
“Sure,” Pops said with a nod. “I’ve seen your granny that overtired many a night.” He winked at her. So, they were having some fun at her expense. It came with Dorsey territory.
Pouring a glass of milk, Elizabeth reached for a couple of slices of bacon, then started packing her lunch. “Any leftover salad, Granny?”
She’d been eating far too much, and she didn’t have the money to buy a whole new wardrobe for school. Her slacks, skirts, and suits were expensive.
“Hey, Pops,” she said, retrieving Sunday’s leftover salad and roasted chicken from the fridge. “I found your and Granny’s initials at the old fire tower.”
“You went to the tower with Ryder?” He cocked one eyebrow. A Dorsey special talent.
“He’s fixing it up.” She pointed to her leg. “I fell through one of the boards.”
“Couples have been carving their initials in those old boards when they got engaged for decades. Before Cheatham WMA was even established.”
“Did he propose?” Granny got up to refill their coffee cups. “Matt, there’s more bacon.” She set a couple of slices on his plate. Pops never refused bacon.
“Propose? Who?” Elizabeth whipped around. “Ryder? No. He was just showing me the tower. He’s going to save the boards for posterity.”
“So all those tears last night were about posterity?” Pops this time. Gee whiz, folks in her family were way too intuitive.
“I’m going to work.” She collected her lunch and handbag and headed for the door. “I’m working at Ella’s tonight.”
“Beth?” Pops called after her. “You know we’re proud of you. Graduating from MIT with honors was no small feat. We’re proud you got into Wharton.” Those words stung a bit, but she didn’t correct him. She was going to get into Wharton. “We just want you to consider the good opportunities in Hearts Bend. There’s no place like HB, Beth. This town is special. Same with Ryder. Don’t say no to a good man like him out of hand.”
“Will told you about the CFO offer?” she said.
“He ran it by me. I’m still chairman of the board.”
“Pops, I’m grateful. I agree, this town is special. It boasts a major clothing line—O’Shay’s Shirts—a country music star, a pro football player, and good grief, a part-time prince and princess, but that doesn’t mean this town is for me. Not now, anyway. There’s a whole world out there to explore. When I was sick—” Her illness was starting to sound more like an excuse than a reason. “Never mind.” With watery eyes, she peeked at Pops. “I want to make my own way in the world. Just like our ancestors who landed on this plot of land a hundred and sixty years ago.”
“Well, there you go. Matt, we said we’re proud, so now let’s believe in her.” Granny patted Elizabeth on the shoulder. “Maybe Pops and I will head to the diner for supper tonight.”
“That sounds lovely.” Elizabeth headed out, feeling more emotional than the conversation warranted. Maybe she should heed Granny’s warnings and rest a bit more.
