“Everyone always has opinions. That’s what happens in small towns.” He smiles. “But they’re good opinions. They want you to stay, Eleanor. They’ve wanted that since you walked into town with your pencil skirt and pearls and tried to order fancy wine at a honky-tonk bar.”
I laugh. “That was so embarrassing.”
“That was so adorable.” He comes around the table and pulls me to my feet, wrapping his arms around me. “You’re adorable. Infuriating, but adorable.”
“You keep calling me infuriating.”
“Because you are. It’s one of your best qualities.”
I tilt my head up and kiss him, just a soft brush of the lips. “I should go,” I say reluctantly, “before I fall asleep standing up.”
“Go. Sleep. I’ll pick you up at seven.”
“For what?”
“It’s a surprise,” he grins. “Trust me.”
“I do,” I say.
And I do trust him, completely. It’s the strangest, most terrifying, most wonderful feeling in the world.
I drive back to The Rusty Spur in a daze. Everything looks brighter, somehow, more real. The mountains are greener, the sky bluer, the air sweeter. Or maybe I’m seeing it all for the first time, without the filter of fear and uncertainty. I park in the lot and sit for a moment, watching the building’s weathered wood and the big neon sign with its cowboy boot and spinning spur. This is mine, not because I inherited it or am obligated to run it, but because I chose it and want to be here now.
I get out of the car and walk to the side entrance, but before I can go inside, I hear someone calling my name.
“Eleanor!”
I turn to find Dolly hurrying across the parking lot, her platinum hair catching the morning sun.
“Dolly, what are you doing here so early?”
“I could ask you the same thing.” She stops in front of me, slightly out of breath. “I was driving past and saw your car, and I’ve been worried about you, sugar. You’ve been kind of off all week.”
“I know. I’m sorry.” I stop to take a breath. “I had something to figure out.”
“And did you figure it out?”
“I did.” I smile. “I’m staying, Dolly. I turned down a job offer in Switzerland, and I’m staying in Copper Creek for good.”
Her face transforms. There’s surprise, then joy, and then something that looks like tears about to fall.
“Oh, honey.” She pulls me into a tight hug, and I’m having a hard time breathing. “That’s just wonderful. So wonderful.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner. I should have.”
“Hush. You told me now, and that’s what matters.” She pulls back, studying my face. “Does Wyatt know?”
“He knows. I told him this morning.”
“And?”
I can feel myself starting to blush. “And things are really good.”
Dolly’s grin is triumphant. “I knew it. I knew you two would work it out. Mavis would be so happy.”
“You think?”
“Oh, honey, I know it. She wanted this for you. All of it. The bar, the town, the people. You belong here, Eleanor. You always did. But you had to figure that out for yourself.”
