I pull up behind May-Bell’s SUV and turn to Claudia. “Ready?”
“Is this the closest I’ll ever get to meeting your parents?”
“Yes,” I said. No need to bullshit her. Even if we did something nuts like get married, she’d never meet my real parents.
“Okay.” She lets out a deep breath. “Let’s do this.”
* * *
We survive introductions. May-Bell, always the proper hostess, places dinner on the table and Jad offers us our choice of beers from his two favorite kinds of ale. May-Bell seats me across from Claudia. I don't like it, but Claudia seems comfortable when she takes her seat. She smiles and winks at me.
“Claudia, honey, you ever had venison stew? It's Shep’s favorite,” May-Bell says.
“No I haven't, but it smells delicious. Thank you so much.” She passes her bowl and lets May-Bell serve her a healthy portion.
“I made a tart too. Jad’s watching his sugar so you can take the rest of it back over to Shep’s with you tonight.”
“That’s so kind. Thank you,” Claudia says.
“So tell us a little bit about yourself, Claudia. Where ya from?” Jad asks.
“Um, New York. I live in Manhattan.”
“Oh, quite the difference from our small mountain town. How do you like it out here so far?”
“I actually haven’t gotten to see much of the town yet, but the people down at the Light Grass Lodges were great and Connie?”
“Oh yeah, Connie’s a good friend of mine.”
“She’s underselling it. Connie’s her BFF. They text each other all day long,” I say. May-Bell frowns at me.
“My uh—my brother and I didn’t explore the town much last time I was here,” Claudia says. “But I would like to see more of it. I’ve been by the diner a couple times and Connie was very sweet to me.”
“She knows how to do service with a smile. It's how we say welcome around here.” I almost roll my eyes. May-Bell is laying it on a little thick.
“Well we’re glad you’re back, after your brother passed,” Jad says. He realizes his fuck up immediately and looks up, his eyes darting between me and Claudia. “’Pologies. I didn’t mean to bring it up that way.”
“It’s okay. Really. It’s not something that can’t be taken back and it’s kind of the reason I’m here now.”
“Not many people would send a thank-you note, but I saw Jerry—Sheriff Bingham—this morning and he said it was nice to see you again. We’re all glad you made it out alive. We’re glad Shep was there,” Jad says.
“Jad,” May-Bell warns.
“No, it's okay. It was…a bad situation. A thank-you note didn't seem sufficient. I'm just glad I'm alive to say thank you. Especially to Shep,” Claudia says.
“What do you do in New York City?” May-Bell asks.
“Um, I’m actually in between jobs right now. I was a buyer in women's apparel for Kleinman’s, but I resigned about a month ago. I’ll be looking for the next gig soon.”
“Oh what happened? Why’d you resign?” May-Bell asks.
“Just wasn't the right fit anymore, but we’ll see what else is out there.”
“You looking around here?” Jad asks. “I heard they are still looking for a new children's librarian back in town.”
“Oh no, I—I’m just visiting. I have to head back at the end of the week.”
I'm fine with this answer. This answer is in line with my expectations. I know she’s going. This isn’t a shock or a surprise to me, but Jad responds with another one of his meaningful looks. I can feel the cloud passing over my own face as I stare back at him. I know he has more sense than to go there, but he can't help himself.
