I slept better last night, or maybe it was pure exhaustion that took over, because I tossed and turned for the first couple of hours and then fell into a deep sleep.
It’s just as well that Nash isn’t here this morning. I feel like I made a fool of myself last night, pressing him, trying to get him to admit to something he doesn’t feel. I want him to feel something for me—the same thing I feel forhim—but he’s still hung up on a recent breakup. How can I expect him to want to declare anything to me?
I’d like to curl up on the kitchen floor in a puddle of embarrassment, but I need coffee before I do that.
I grab the creamer out of the fridge and pour some into the cup.
When Nash went to get fresh air last night, he left and loaded up on some groceries from the store. Luckily, he got some coffee creamer and some bagels.
There’s a scraping sound, and then the front door opens. I can’t quite see it from this angle in the kitchen, so I grab a kitchen knife and walk to the hallway.
A woman I’ve never seen before walks in. She stops abruptly and stares at me with alarm.
I glance down at the large knife in my hand.
“Who are you?” I ask.
“Who are you?” she asks me.
It’s safe to say that we’re both startled, and we didn’t expect the other one here.
“I’m Magnolia.”
The woman visibly relaxes. “I am Natalie, Nash’s mom.”
I quickly lower the knife to my side, acutely aware that I’m still wearing my pajamas. It’s close to nine in the morning, and I’m holding a butcher knife, which was pointed at her. Not exactly a good first impression.
“I was just cutting a bagel.” I try to downplay the fact that I had the knife angled in her direction when she rounded the corner.
She smiles and walks into the kitchen. “I’m sorry I frightened you. I didn’t know anyone was here. Nash told me to just come in when I got here.”
“Oh. Well, I’m sorry. I didn’t know anyone wascoming, and it scared me when I heard the door open. I think Nash and Max are doing more cattle somewhere.”
I don’t even know what that means, really—doing cattle. Is that what they call it? Probably not, but it’s the best thing I could come up with to describe where they went.
“What do you have planned today?” Natalie asks.
I kind of like that she skipped over small talk and is now acting like we tell each other plans for the day.
“I’m supposed to go talk to a man named Henry and look at a site that could be converted into a distillery.”
Natalie walks over to the fridge, grabbing the coffee creamer. “Do you mind if I steal some of your coffee? There aren’t many coffee shops between here and my home.”
“Go for it. I’ll make a fresh pot too.” I take the last of the coffee out of the coffeepot for her and set about refilling it. “I had planned on going into town, but I don’t know if I have a car to drive.”
Natalie shakes her head. “Oh, that’s no problem. I can drive you into town if you don’t have a rig. It’s not a big deal.”
“You just got here. You’re probably ready to relax or?—”
She cuts me off. “Actually, I need to go into Pine Ridge today anyway. I came here specifically for that, so if you don’t mind tagging along with me on my errands, I’ll show you around town.”
She offers me a smile, and it puts me at ease. This is the woman who turned down a ridiculous amount of money to be with the man she loved. I’m pretty sure I can trust her.
“I would really appreciate that. Thank you. I remember Nash saying that you live over in Fort Rock.”
“I do, but I’m actually in the process of looking for a place in Pine Ridge.”
“Really?” I’m surprised.
