I turn to Buddy and ask, "What ever became of Shelby Rae?"
He seems to tense at my question. "She married Matt Jones just like she always wanted to," he says with a melancholy look on his face.
It dawns on me that Buddy always had the biggest crush on Shelby. He pined for her bad when we were in high school, but, much like myself, she only had eyes for one boy. Matthew Jones loved her fiercely and unconditionally just like Colton used to love me. Shelby and I always talked about getting hitched, moving next door to each other and having babies that could grow up together. Dreaming about the future when you're a kid is fun. But once the future becomes the present, those dreams are quickly extinguished by adulthood.
"Did she have the baby?"
Buddy nods with a smile. "A little girl. Lillian." His grin widens as he adds, "Looks just like her mama."
"And where are Shelby Rae and Matt living now? I'd love to get in touch with her again."
Buddy's smile instantly disappears. "They moved out of the county when Matt took a firefighter job." He swallows hard, and I have a feeling some bad news is about to come out of Buddy's mouth. "Matt died two years ago in a house fire. He was on the top floor, and it collapsed underneath him. They couldn't get him out in time."
My hand goes to my mouth as I gasp in shock. "Oh, no!" I can't even picture Shelby Rae without Matthew. They were like two peas in a pod, inseparable and one of those couples that made everyone within a one-mile radius instantly jealous of their close relationship. "And Shelby Rae? Where is she now?"
"Last I heard she was in the process of movin' back here to town to be close to her mama since her daddy died a few months back."
So much heartache. So much tragedy. My heart instantly hurts for my best friend. "Well, you let me know the moment you hear she's back in town."
Buddy gives me a sad smile and says, "Sure thing."
* * * * *
BY EIGHT O'CLOCK, the crowd has cleared out. "Another slow night," Buddy mutters under his breath. He looks stressed out, and I try to think of a way to help. A few ideas have been swirling through my head over the past few days.
"Remember when Sheila would sell cakes and pies during the lunch and supper crowds?" I ask Buddy.
He nods. "Yeah. People drove from all over the county for her sweet potato pie."
"Well, what if I make some cakes and pies for you to sell?"
"Really? You'd do that?" Buddy asks, instantly perking up.
"Sure. I'd love to help. And I have all of Colton's mom's old recipes. You remember how great her apple pie was."
He rubs his stomach and licks his lips, smacking them together. "Her apple pie was the best I ever tasted." He thinks my proposition over for a few moments. "I think it sounds like a great idea, Penny. When can you start?" he asks eagerly.
"How about tomorrow?"
"Sure." He frowns for a moment before saying, "The oven in the kitchen is broke. You can use the burners on the stove, but that's about it." Buddy scratches his chin, and then gets a big grin on his face as he turns to me. "But I have the perfect place in mind for you to bake. You'll have all the space you need, two ovens and plenty of counter space."
I agree to his plan, but I have a sinking feeling I'm going to regret it.
* * * * *
COLTON
AFTER THE BAR closes, I leave and walk up the hill to my house. I was anxious to get the hell out of there tonight. Penny always has me on edge, and I silently curse Buddy for hirin' her. There's a part of me that wants to stay far, far away from her, and then there's this other part of me that wants to pull her into my arms and keep her close to me forever.
It feels like I'm bein' split in two, and I hate it. My brain and my heart are runnin' in different directions, and I'm a complete mess when I'm around her. She seems to bring out the best and worst in me at the same time. How is that even possible?
I'm about ten feet from the house when I hear Mack growlin' and barkin'. Groanin', I jog towards the house. I completely forgot Ruby Sue's promise earlier to stop by tonight. I watch in amusement at the sight before me. Ruby Sue is attemptin' to climb up the porch steps, but Mack isn't havin' it. He's standin' his ground, not lettin' her pass. He lets out a loud, long howl.
My dad always told me that dogs are great judges of character. Mack doesn't like Ruby Sue, so maybe I should take that as a sign.
Shakin' my head, I yell, "Mack!"
Ruby Sue looks frightened as she retreats back to the bottom step. She stumbles and almost falls in her ridiculously high heels. I'm quick to catch her and hold her upright.
