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After the older lady left, she shrugged and took my hand back in hers. “People are friendly here. Trust me. You’ll get the hang of it soon enough. Maybe one day you’ll feel like a real Pine Bluffian.”
“Pine Bluffian?” I said with a little laugh.
“What else are we supposed to call ourselves? Bluffites?”
“Good question. I’ll brainstorm.”
“Oh,” she said. “Did I tell you I joined the planning committee for the renovation of the library?”
“No,” I said slowly. “What’s that involve?”
“I’ll get to help make decisions about the community’s needs, influence design choices, that sort of thing.” She looked at me meaningfully, eyebrows raised. “We could use some extra help, if you’re free.”
“Lee…”
“What?” She batted her eyelashes at me innocently. “I’m just saying.”
“I thought you said my job is to rest while I’m here.”
“This is different. This is volunteer work.”
I sighed deeply, remembering the Andy fiasco. “I just left a library reno.”
“I know. Just think about it. No pressure. No commitment.”
“Oh, look. A taco truck. Is this the one?” I pointedly changed the subject.
She laughed and bumped into me with her shoulder. “As if Pine Bluff is big enough to support two taco trucks.”
“Fair.”
We got in line and ordered before taking our tacos to a nearby picnic table to eat. I’d chosen the beef barbacoa and Lena had chosen a marinated chicken for herself.
I took my first bite and groaned with a mouthful of taco. “This is incredible.”
She beamed. “I knew you’d like it.”
“Lena, hi.” A woman stopped by our table and gave us a big smile.
Lena swallowed her mouthful of taco and took a quick sip from the bottle of water she’d bought. “Hi. Ms. Fairburn. How have you been?”
“Never better. I’m sorry to interrupt you on your… date?”
Lena shook her head and grinned. “Not a date. This is my best friend from college, Kieran. He’s visiting for a month or two.”
“Oh, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to assume. It’s a delight to meet you, Kieran. Now, Lena, I wanted to thank you again for that chocolate and strawberry cake you made for Nicholas’s birthday. It was a hit. Everyone loved it.”
“No problem. I’m glad it was well received.”
“We were wondering if you’d be willing to make some of your brown butter cinnamon rolls for a baby shower I’m throwing soon.”
“I’d be happy to. Can you text me the details? I’ll get back with you about it tomorrow, if that’s okay.”
“Perfect.” With that, Ms. Fairburn nodded at us. “Have a great evening, both of you.”
When she left, I laughed and shook my head. “A date, huh?”
“We’ll probably get a lot of that sort of thing around here. Pine Bluffians are hungry for gossip.”
