Muriel studies me, her expression soft but her gaze sharp. “You’re worried about leaving? Child… you ran from Whynot and never looked back. What’s going on with you?”
I swallow hard. “I don’t know.”
“Yes, you do.”
She stares at me, daring me to deny it.
Heaving out a sigh, I pick at the corner of the tablecloth. “I left Whynot because it wasn’t big enough for me. It didn’t offer enough. But now… I’m seeing that it might have something for me.”
“Sam,” Muriel says with a knowing smile.
I nod, worrying at my bottom lip. “I don’t know what to do,” I confess. “I came here to help you, and I’ve loved every bit of it—even when you’ve been bossy as hell. But Sam…” My voice falters. “He’s made me reconsider all the things I thought were important in my life, and now I’m not so sure DC is where it’s at.”
“You have some pretty deep feelings,” she surmises.
I nod again, letting it spill out. “Sam loves this place. Like, it’s a part of who he is, and watching the town rally around him… it’s making me realize I might have left something precious behind.”
“Community,” Muriel says.
“Exactly. And I could never ask Sam to give that up, so I have to consider perhaps coming back, right?”
Muriel folds her hands on the table. “Dreams can bloom in more than one field, honey. You just gotta decide which dirt feels like yours.”
I stare at her, throat tight. “And what if both fields offer me something I want?”
“Then you got yourself a good problem.” She chuckles, the sound rough with age and affection. “You’ve always followed your heart and your passion, Penny Bean. Time to decide which one’s drivin’ the bus.”
I manage a small laugh, but it trembles. “You’re not making this any easier.”
“Wasn’t tryin’ to. Now go on. I think you need to talk to Sam about this.”
“No,” I say, pushing to my feet. “I’ll do it after I get off.”
“I’ve got it covered here,” Muriel says, staring at me in a way that makes me afraid to argue.
“But—”
“But nothing. I’ll just oversee things. I even promise I’ll sit my butt in a chair and not move around.”
I note there are currently only three customers in the diner and we have two waitresses on shift.
“Okay, but if I hear you lifted one finger, I’m goingto take you home and chain you to the couch.” I lean down and kiss her cheek. “Try not to start a mutiny while I’m gone.”
Muriel waves her hand. “Too late. I already told Floyd he could bus tables if he stops flirtin’ with the customers.”
♦
I’d texted Samthat I was coming over, so he’s on the front porch swing waiting for me when I pull in. I smile when I see the laptop balanced on his knees and wonder how much of his writing he actually does at his desk. He looks up as I park, his smile slow and easy across his face.
He puts the computer aside and stands up to meet me at the top porch step. “I know we had plans later tonight, so I’ll admit… I’m a little worried as to what has you leaving the diner early to come talk to me.”
“Something big’s happened and you’re the one person in the world I want to share it with,” I say.
I climb the steps and he tugs me into his arms. His kiss is soft, grounding, and it steals my words.
When he lifts his head, he smiles. “Okay… lay it on me.”
“I got a call from DC.”
