Fortunately, this did not seem to scare off their new friend in the least. By contrast, Eleanor’s aspect lightened when she saw this good-natured ribbing, She smiled and playfully fluffed her hair.
“Oh, I didn’t realize I was acelebrity,” she said, fluttering her eyelashes. “I did bring these fancy chocolates as a thank you, but if my presence is the present…”
“We’ll take them,” Diana said hurriedly, as everyone laughed.
The last of their group to arrive was Miriam Landers. The older woman, who sported her typical stylish silver pixie cut, bustled in. She’d long since given up on knocking, at least at Diana’s house. Despite the decades between them, Diana and Miriam were particularly close, since they didn’t have kids keeping them busy. Diana also privately thought that Miriam, who had lost her beloved husband years ago and was retired, might sometimes get just a bit lonely.
“Oh, drat,” she said by way of greeting. “I lost track of the time and now my new friend will think I’m one of those batty old ladies who is always late.” She shook her head at herself. “You never get a second chance to make a first impression, Miriam!”
Contrary to Miriam’s proclamation, Eleanor was looking intrigued and delighted by the little cannonball that had just burst her way into the scene. Diminutive Miriam had soft features that made her look like the stereotypical grandmother… right up until you took in her vibrant clothing choices and the way mischief perpetually sparked in her bright gray eyes.
Without waiting for an answer, Miriam bustled over to Eleanor.
“Hello, darling,” she said. “I’m Miriam, and it is entirely Diana’s fault that I am late.”
“Hey!” Diana protested without any real heat.
“I like the look of you,” Miriam went on, waving a finger up and down Eleanor’s form. “Yes. You have a good energy. We’re going to have to keep you. You’re one of us now.”
Eleanor, Diana could see, was fighting back a smile. June and Cadence didn’t bother with trying to hide their own grins and were chuckling into their mojitos.
“I see my evil scheme is working, then,” Eleanor said seriously, which made Miriam cackle with delight.
“Oh yes,” she repeated. “We shall be keeping you. Anyway, I’m Miriam, town elder extraordinaire.”
“Miriam is a fixture around here,” June chimed in. “And she’s got the most gorgeous garden in town.”
“Flatterer!” Miriam accused the younger woman, although she looked simply thrilled by the praise.
“Okay, you crazy kids,” Diana said fondly… and partially because she knew it would make Miriam squawk in playful outrage over being called a kid. “Let’s eat before everything gets cold.”
Cheerful chaos briefly reigned as everyone filled plates and glasses and took a seat around Diana’s expertly festooned table.
“Still glad I invited you?” Cadence teased when she nearly bumped into Eleanor. The newcomer assured the group that she was having a great time, something echoed in her smile.
It was not until after dinner, however, when Diana and Eleanor were tidying in the kitchen while the other women worked around the dining room table, that Diana saw another side to her new friend.
Diana was washing the glasses that couldn’t go in the dishwasher, Eleanor drying them neatly, when Diana’s phone chimed in her pocket. She glanced at it to find a text from her sister.
KYLIE: Scoping dates for a possible dress shopping jaunt to Boston. Do you have anything major coming up? Astrid says she has a work trip the second week of July, so I’m hoping to get us booked before that. What do you think?
Diana fought back the instinctive grimace that crossed her face. Whenever she felt anything other than complete happiness for Kylie, she felt like she was the worst sister in the world. Distracted with self-recrimination, she let her gaze drift over to a large empty spot on her wall.
Maybe Cadence was right, she decided suddenly. Maybe treating her house like a way station instead of a real home was holding her back. She would buy a statement piece for that wall. Maybe even this weekend.
When Diana turned back to the dishes, she found Eleanor’s eyes on her. The other woman’s gaze was knowing and a little bit sad, but entirely lacking in judgment.It can be hard, she seemed to say, although she turned back to her task without a word.
Between her resolution and this unexpected gesture of camaraderie, Diana’s burdens suddenly felt lighter. She was veryglad, she decided, that Cadence had invited Eleanor into their little circle of friends.
Cadence was, to tell the full truth, feeling pretty darn pleased with herself as the women gathered around Diana’s living room after the main course to sip their drinks and nibble on desserts and the fancy chocolates that Eleanor had brought. It wasn’t as though their group had been missing something, per se, but it was clear that the newcomer slotted right in like the perfect puzzle piece.
“So,” Miriam said, tucking her feet, clad in hand-knitted socks, up underneath her. “Time to be nosy. Eleanor, tell us about yourself. What brought you to our little town?”
A flicker of sadness crossed Eleanor’s face.
“Ah, well that’s not exactly fun dinner party talk, I’m afraid,” she said. When a stricken look crossed Miriam’s face, Eleanor extended a hand and patted the other woman consolingly on the arm. “Oh, no, don’t feel bad for asking. Anyone would have. I’m just here to… well, to find my new self, ever since my husband—my ex-husband, I mean—asked me for a divorce.”
Her phrasing made part of the story already clear. This had not been a mutual decision.
