“It smells delicious,” Clover said as she passed.
“Morning,” the server called. She was about my mom’s age, wearing jeans and a gray sweatshirt and a name tag that said Joni. “Have a seat anywhere.”
I led Clover to a booth by the window. We sat across from each other, and silence descended between us. Joni delivered two glasses of water, said she’d be right back, and scurried away.
I let my attention wander up and down the street of my new hometown. My rental house was several blocks away. Tonight would be the farthest I’d slept from her since she returned from her work trip.
Clover put her chin in her hand. “It’s not Omaha.”
“No.” Coal Haven’s main street didn’t stretch much more than five or six blocks. “To be fair, I wasn’t getting out much in Omaha.”
Joni appeared. “Hello.” She tapped her pen against her notepad. “I’m gonna be that guy and ask if you’re the new couple that moved into the old place where the Henkes leased the pastures.”
Clover’s eyes lit and then died. Did she recall the papers we’d signed this morning? “Yes. Actually, we aren’t together like that.”
Joni peeked at Clover’s ring finger. “Oh, dang. I’m sorry. I presumed too much, and that’s why I shouldn’t open my mouth.”
“No, it’s fine. We were mar— We’re just friends.”
We were married.
Joni smiled. “That’s sweet. One of you is a Duke, right?”
She chatted a little more, mining for information that would likely get passed along to regulars, like the ones sipping their coffee. Then she took our order and was gone again.
“We’re going to be the talk of the town,” she whispered.
“I think we already are.”
“Now they’ll just be confused.” She scrubbed her face with a hand and checked her phone. “Jasper said he’s on the way with a load of furniture. That’ll give me time to pick up kitchen utensils, and I’ll work all night to catch up.”
“Same.” I wouldn’t concentrate well today. “When’s your next appointment?”
“I have one next Monday.”
“I can go with you.”
“Oh, you don’t have to.”
I wanted to. “Clover,” I said gently. “I’m in town now.”
“I never know how long I’m going to be waiting, and you’re so close to getting everything shored up for all your pitch meetings.”
“I’m ready for those.” I had some polishing to do on my programs, but I wasn’t worried. I should have been, but I wasn’t. “What time?”
“I got one right at eight.”
“I’ll be there.” A knot loosened in my chest. I had another date set to see her.
“And Christmas?” she asked. “You still have other plans? You’re always welcome at Poppy’s.”
“I’ve got plans,” I lied. I’d spent the day alone before. This year would be no different. Only it felt like the loneliness would crush me. But that was for me to deal with, not her or her family.
She narrowed her eyes. “Do you have plans for Christmas Eve?”
I gave my head a little shake. My parents usually went out, and Elijah had never included me in his life, not that I would’ve joined him. I should tell her I was tied up. She hadn’t asked what, so I hadn’t had to lie even more. But I could only be so strong. “No. Nothing for Christmas Eve.”
“Then come over. We’ll have pizza. I don’t want to ruin a big dinner for you the next day.”
