But I don't know what I want!
"The conflict in your present is trickier." Esmeralda looked at Eden with piercing pale blue eyes. "Don't make hasty decisions." Then she smiled. "But don't give up too easily either."
"Wh-what's that supposed to mean?"
Eden didn’t believe in clairvoyancy. The woman had probably given dozens of customers the same advice today, but she couldn’t help wishing someone could give her the answers as to what she was supposed to do with her life.
"It means your Heart Line and your Money Line may be at odds with one another."
Meaning my heart wants a life here with Rudy, but my head knows I need to leave Providence to find a job to support myself.
"Don't be afraid to take risks. In love and in business." Esmeralda reached across the table and grabbed Eden's other hand. She studied the palm. "Aha. Yes." The older woman nodded. "Just as I thought."
"What's just as you thought?" Eden leaned forward, searching the woman's face. If the eccentric woman had any words of wisdom for her that would make the decisions she faced easier to make, she'd love to hear them.
"You'll have to walk by faith for a time and follow your heart, but it will all work itself out."
Walk by faith? That doesn’t sound like something a true clairvoyant would say.
But Eden liked the counsel to follow her heart.
Esmeralda released Eden's hands and sat back in her chair. "Phew! You creative types are exhausting sometimes."
Creative? Am I a creative type?
Was that why she hated analytics so much?
Eden stood, still staring at the woman, wondering how much stock she should put in her words.
"Oh," Esmeralda leaned forward again. "You should really think about starting your own business."
"What?" Eden stumbled into Rudy.
I don't want to own my own business. Do I?
"It will bring it all together for you."
"What business?" Eden's mind raced, trying to figure out what the woman could possibly mean. What kind of business?
Esmeralda waved her away. "Time will tell. You'll see."
"Come on." Rudy took her hand and started to lead her away.
"But what about you? You need to have your palm read."
"Ach! I've read his a dozen times." Esmeralda waved a hand in dismissal. "It will never change unless he starts living for himself, instead of trying to fulfill someone else's dreams."
"Love you too, Esmeralda." Rudy tugged Eden out from under the fortune teller's canopy.
Did Esmeralda mean the way Rudy followed Parker's life plan?
Of course, this was a small town. Everyone knew Rudy lost a buddy and made a lane change in his professional life. They had probably all heard about her conflict with her dad too.
She let him lead her to the car show where he became absorbed with inspecting every car. Classic cars, sports cars, jacked up trucks, and even a couple of vintage tractors. Each one was unique and fun to explore.
They munched on Italian ice, snow cones, and cotton candy all morning and into the afternoon before deciding they'd better eat something healthy. Sitting on a blanket under the tree near his family, they shared a plate full of street tacos.
Other than repeatedly checking the time on his phone, Rudy seemed content to stay by her side, holding her hand. She was equally glad to be by his. More than one resident of Providence gave them curious looks, often followed by a smile and a nod of approval. Each time this happened, Eden felt her grin grow. She liked being recognized as Rudy's girlfriend.
