Hadley glanced at the menu for form’s sake, but her decision was already made. “All right. French dip and fries it is.”
Counting calories could wait, although she’d never been one to worry about her weight.
A server came by, and they placed their orders. Once the menus were gone, a brief silence settled between them—comfortable enough, but still new.
Hadley folded her hands on the table and looked at Kendra. She really didn’t know much about the woman. “So . . . how long have you been in Blue Ridge Hollow?”
“About a year. Not too long but long enough.”
“What brought you here?”
Kendra blew out a breath before shrugging. “I guess you could say I needed a change. A smaller town. Something quieter.”
Hadley nodded in understanding. “I get that.”
Kendra tilted her head as she turned her attention to Hadley. “What about you? I think I heard someone say you came here from Atlanta.”
“I did.” Hadley hesitated, choosing her words. “I just . . . I just needed a fresh start also, I suppose.”
“I understand that.” Kendra gave a small nod, then tilted her head again. “Did you move here alone, or do you have a significant other? A family?”
Hadley shifted, not expecting to get so personal so quickly. “I moved here alone. I . . . I was married, but I’m not anymore.”
It still hurt to say the words, even though it had been three years. This wasn’t the future she’d envisioned, but it was the one she’d been handed. Now she had to make the best of it.
Kendra’s brows lifted. “Oh? Did he . . . ?”
Her throat tightened. “I’m not a widow. I’m divorced.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” Kendra said, though her tone carried more curiosity than sympathy. “What happened?”
Hadley reached for her water, buying herself some time. Her failed marriage wasn’t something she normally talked about with people she didn’t know well.
Finally, she shrugged. “It just didn’t work out.”
Kendra leaned forward. “I get that. If you don’t mind me asking, how long were you married?”
“Not that long.” She took a sip of her drink, hoping Kendra would change the subject before things turned more awkward. Her divorce wasn’t her favorite subject—not by a long shot. It hadn’t even been in her vocabulary. That’s what she used to say, at least.
“What—?”
Just as Kendra started her next question, the server returned with their food, setting the plates down between them.
Hadley let out a quiet breath, grateful for the interruption.
“French dip and fries,” the server said with a smile before stepping away.
Hadley picked up her sandwich. “This looks amazing.”
“It is.” Kendra’s attention lingered on Hadley a second longer before she reached for her own plate. “You’re going to love it.”
Hadley took a bite, the warm, savory meat and toasted bread soaking up the au jus, rich and comforting in a way she hadn’t realized she needed. She was thankful to have something else to focus on.
For now, this would have to be enough.
Max kept his eyes on the road as he drove back toward town, but his mind stayed behind at the cabin.
Images played like a highlight reel in his mind—the dark red smeared along the edge of the sink. The droplets on the floor.
