Kids whizzed by on bikes, shouting and laughing at each other, while older teens sat on porches, eyes glued to their phones. Dads mowed lawns, and moms dug in gardens or gossiped with neighbors. Folks were friendly here and waved or smiled hello as she slowly walked past. It all felt surreal somehow. She’d grown up in San Francisco, in Pacific Heights, to be exact, and it was worlds away from this small town.
Everyone in Fire Lake was so . . .happy.So light and easy. And it didn’t feel forced. It was as if the outside world, with all its sharp edges, hadn’t penetrated this part of the country.
She walked past the diner and spied Tully through the windows. The woman waved crazily and motioned at Faith, so she stopped and waited. She smoothed out the simple baby-blue sundress she wore, with thin straps and a hemline that fell a couple of inches above her knees. On her feet were a pair of flip-flops she’d bought at some bargain store before she’d made it to Fire Lake. Her hair, she’d left loose, but knew she’d need to put it up soon.
Tully walked out of the diner, smiling from ear to ear. Faith couldn’t help but answer in kind. The woman’s frosted blonde hair was piled at least a couple of inches on top of her head. Large round silver earrings and a thick silver link necklace complimented a navy-blue blouse that was tucked into a short denim skirt with a white frill at the hem. She wore four-inch brown and blue espadrilles, and her toes were painted a bright pink to match the gloss on her lips.
“I’m so happy to see you.” Tully winked and tucked a rag into the waistband of her skirt. “And looking gorgeous if you don’t mind my saying. I swear the color of your hair reminds me of hot apple cider in the fall.”
“Oh,” Faith murmured. “Thank you.”
“Gus says you’re doing real well out at The Dock.”
“Well, I haven’t dropped anything since my second shift.” She paused because she didn’t want to appear too curious, but inside, she was secretly pleased. “When did you see Gus?”
“Oh, he comes in for dinner now and again. I don’t think that man cooks at all. Why just the other night he was here with Jackie Davenport.” The woman frowned and snapped her gum. “Though why in hell he’s taking up with her I couldn’t say.” She rolled her eyes. “Well, I mean, Iknowwhy he’s taken up with her but still.” She threw her hands in the air. “Listen to me monopolizing the conversation. How have you been? Settled into the Lawson House? Did you manage to get that old car of yours fixed?”
“The car has gone to car heaven, but the Lawson House really is a beautiful home. I like it there and Candy is so nice. She lets Taco out while I’m at work.”
“Always been one of my favorite homes in town. Why, it’s been in Candy’s family for generations.” Tully shook her head, lips pursed. “She never married after Davis Peters broke her heart when she was seventeen. Up and left her pregnant to raise a boy on her own. She did the best she could, but he was as wild as his daddy and got himself killed on a motorcycle nearly thirty years ago. She was an only child so I’m not sure what will happen to it when she’s too old to live there.”
“That’s so sad,” Faith murmured. Candy was on the back end of seventy, with more pounds than she needed to carry, and suffering from a host of ailments, including diabetes and highcholesterol. All of which she’d relayed to Faith in their first-ever conversation.
The door opened behind Tully, and an older man with graying hair pulled back into a ponytail appeared. His grease-stained white T-shirt was wrinkled, and he wore an apron loose around his sizable middle. “Table four’s meals are up and table two needs their bill.”
Tully made a face, eyebrows arched. “Frank Edwin Taylor. You walked all the way out here to tell me that when you could have easily dropped off their plates?”
“I cook. That’s it.”
“Lord help me.” Tully sighed when Frank disappeared inside. “I swear to God that man was put on this earth to annoy the ever-lovin’ hell out of me.” She backed away. “Are you going to the parade on Wednesday? don’t want to brag but Fire Lake does July the Fourth proud.”
“I’m scheduled to work in the afternoon, but I am going to try and make the parade in the morning.”
“Okay, sweetie. I’m so glad you stopped by, and I hope to see you next week.” Tully waved and headed back into the diner.
Faith continued down the street, past the quaint shops with the too-cute names — names she was beginning to realize were perfect for this place. She’d just passed the town square when she spied Ford Boone and his young son standing outside of a store tucked between Sprinkles and Cream and the flower shop. The sign above the front door read,Turn the Page, and there was a large selection of the latest bestsellers and beach reads displayed in the window.
As she approached, Ford glanced up; his brilliant blue eyes crinkled in a smile when he spied Faith.
“Hey there,” he said when she stopped in front of them.
“Is that your dog?” Benjamin interrupted, his sweet face hopeful when he looked up at her. “What’s his name? Can I pet him?”
“Slow down, son.” Ford shook his head and ruffled the young boy’s curls. “Maybe say hello and Faith will think about it.” He glanced at her. “It is Faith, right?”
“Yes,” she replied with a smile.
The boy scuffed his sneaker but didn’t take his eyes off of the dog. “Hi Faith,” he said quickly. “Now can I pet him?”
Faith bent low and nodded. “Taco loves little boys.” She winked. “And he especially likes scratches behind his ears.”
Benjamin got down on his knees so that his head was level with Taco’s and began to talk to the happy dog while scratching him behind his ears.
“Nothing like a pup to make a little boy happy. Do you have the day off?” Ford asked as she stood back to give Benjamin room with Taco.
“I do, yes. Off until Monday.”
“Always nice to have the weekend to yourself.”
