There are still a few hours until I meet her, and I don’t feel like just hanging out around the house.
I’ll go into town and do some work for the theater. I wouldn’t mind bumping into Violet again; she’s such a ray of sunshine.
I hop in my rusty old pick-up truck and head into town. Main Street seems busier than usual today. It is Sunday, so I guess people are still out and about for the weekend. I park my truck on a side street and head toward the café, hoping that it’s not too busy there and I can grab a table.
Thankfully, there are a couple available. I head over there, put my notebook and pen down, and then go line up. I am keeping my eyes open for Violet. I only talked to her once, but I haven’t been able to get her out of my mind. It’s not just the way her hair catches the light or the freckles dancing across her nose. It’s the way she moves through the café, calm and confident, like sheowns every corner of it without needing anyone to notice. Her laughter, easy and unguarded, has a way of lingering in the air after it’s left her lips.
There is that subtle fire behind her eyes, like she has seen things and has decided to carve her own way through this world.
The cashier looks at me and calls me to the counter; I walk up and order my drink. I get a bigger size than usual as I have a busy day, and I add on a blueberry scone since those are so good. I head to the table and sit facing the door so I can see who comes in and out, keeping my eyes open for her.
It doesn’t take me long to focus on what I came here to do. Before I know it, I have a few pages of what I want to do with the theater, what to add, what I think I need to fix, and what I currently like. It’s important to me to preserve the building’s integrity, maintaining its nostalgia for those of us who grew up with it, while also making it modern enough that kids these days would want to go, too.
I’m hunched over my notebook at one of the small tables, sketching ideas for the theater, seating, renovations, lighting, all of it. Getting my thoughts down on paper. The coffee smells like heaven, and then… Violet’s voice breaks my focus.
“Well, well, well, look who’s pretending to be busy,” she says, standing across from me. “All those notes look like you’re running for mayor or something.”
I look up and grin. “Not exactly. I’m making plans to save the town theater. Big plans, ambitious but exciting.”
Her eyebrows lift, like she’s interested. “You’re buying the theater?”
“Yep, I figured it’s time to bring it back to life. Classic five-screen theater. It needs a lot of TLC, and I am just the guy to do it.”
She glances down at my notebook. “What kind of ideas?”
I like that she is curious.
I gesture to the seat across from me for her to sit. She takes her jacket off and lays it over the back of the chair and pulls the seat into the table as she sits.
“Well the theater needs updated seats, those things are falling apart, I want to update the concession stand too, bringing in some local businesses would be a good idea too I think,” I explain, reaching for my coffee and taking a sip as she smiles and nods in agreement.
“I love the idea of bringing in local businesses, helps the town out and shows how close knit Lavender Creek is,” Violet says as she brushes a piece of hair behind her ear. “What else are you planning?”
“I would like to have a mini arcade. Maybe a photo booth. And I want to have community events as well.”
“These are all really good ideas. I’m glad that you bought the place and not some hot shot from the big city who would tear it down. We all have so many memories there growing up and now others will get to experience that as well,” she says, smiling at me with those beautiful blue eyes.
“So I have your approval?” I ask her with a chuckle.
“You do,” she responds as she stands up. “Just know I’ll be watching to make sure you don’t mess up.” She winks at me.
“What a drag that would be.”
“I’d love to chat more about it,” she says. “But right now, I do have work in my office calling my name.”
“I’ll leave you to your empire. Someone has to keep the coffee flowing,” I say, smiling.
“I’m very organized,” she says. “If you ever want to upgrade that notebook with your doodles, let me know,” she chuckles.
I grin at her. “Noted. But I also have to run. My realtor is waiting for me to check out the theater. Big day.”
“Save the town’s culture while I make sure everyone gets their morning latte. Don’t forget about us little people when you’re famous,” she says, grinning.
“I won’t,” I say, standing up. “But don’t be surprised if I need your opinion on décor. This café looks great.”
“Flattery will get you everywhere,” she says, laughing. “Go save our theater, don’t let me distract you.”
I head for the door, glancing back one last time. There is something about the way she moves, the teasing in her smile, that makes me want to stick around longer.
