Ruthie takes advantage of the afternoon lull by treating herself to a glass of freshly squeezed lemonade. Seated at the counter, she opens her iPad and searches the internet for the best small towns in the United States. She spends thirty minutes reading about charming places in faraway states like Maine and Colorado. If she sells the diner, with nothing keeping her in Lovely, she can finally fulfill her dream of traveling. She’ll put her house on the market and rent a storage unit for her furniture. Combined with the profits from the diner, she’ll have enough money to comfortably live on for the rest of her life.
Her mind wanders, and she imagines herself driving across the country in a pink vehicle. Something sporty, like a Jeep Wrangler or a Mini Cooper, customized in the exact shade of hot pink. She’ll tour every state from Virginia to Louisiana to Wyoming, hitting all the popular small towns. If she finds one she loves, she’ll buy a house and start a new life. Lovely will always be her home. If things don’t work out, she can always come back here.
Ruthie is so lost in her daydream, she doesn’t hear Jamie enter the diner until he’s seated beside her. “I can’t hold Trixie off any longer, Ruthie. She’s on her way over. Can you at least let her inspect the kitchen?”
Ruthie snaps shut the cover on her iPad and spins the stool to face Jamie. “I was just going to call you. I’ve—”
The front door bangs open and a tiny woman with a beehive of auburn hair enters the diner and strides toward Ruthie with an outstretched hand. “Hey there, hon. I’m Trixie Bell. You’ve waited on me before, but I was incognito.” She barks out an obnoxious laugh that Ruthie thinks is wonderful.
“It’s nice to officially meet you.” Ruthie shakes Trixie’s callous hand, an indication of her work ethic.
“I’m so sorry to be such a pest. I’ve hounded poor Jamie to death. I can’t help myself, I’ve fallen in love with your diner. I’m hoping to ease your reservations about selling.”
Ruthie smiles. This woman is a younger version of herself. “I’m sorry it’s taking me so long to decide. This place means the world to me.” Her throat thickens. Is she really going to sell her diner?
Trixie places a hand on Ruthie’s shoulder. “Oh, honey. I know how you feel. I had to get rid of my diner in La Joya, Texas. We’re right on the southern border, and I was concerned for my safety with all the illegal immigrants coming across.”
Ruthie makes a mental note not to tour the southern border on her trip across the country. “How awful for you. I’m sorry to hear that.”
“I’m sorry for our country.” Trixie dabs at her wet eyes with a tissue. “I promised myself no more boohooing. I just can’t help myself.”
Ruthie gives Trixie’s shoulder a reassuring pat. “No worries. This is a difficult time for you.”
“For all of us. Our country will never be the same,” Trixie says, blowing her nose.
Ruthie casts a nervous glance at the Realtor. “Jamie mentioned you’d like to see the kitchen.”
“Yes! Please!” Trixie says, dropping the wadded tissue into her cross-shoulder bag.
As they tour the kitchen, Ruthie explains about the upgrades to the appliances she’s made in recent years.
Trixie gives a nod of approval. “I can tell you’ve kept everything in good working order.”
When they reach the office, Ruthie pulls Trixie inside and closes the door on Jamie. “Jamie won’t approve of us having this conversation, but we’re gonna have it anyway. I never got married, and I never had children. My customers are my family. They mean the world to me. They count on certain items being available to them. People come from miles away for my cream cheese Danishes. I can’t ask you not to change the menu, but can you promise you’ll keep at least a few of the more popular items?”
Trixie draws an X over her heart. “You have my solemn word. I may add to the menu, but I have no intention of getting rid of anything. As long as you share your secret recipes.” She giggles. “The diner is perfect as is. If you accept my offer, I’m hoping you’ll allow me to shadow you for a couple of weeks, to show me how you do things and introduce me to your customers.”
Ruthie’s shoulders sag as the tension leaves her body. This is the right choice for her. The diner will be in expert hands with Trixie Bell. “I would like that very much. And I’ve decided to accept your offer.”
“Really?” Trixie says, bouncing on her toes. “That’s amazing. I’m beyond thrilled. Does the end of July work for you to close?”
“That date works fine. Let’s tell Jamie. He’ll be thrilled.” When Ruthie opens the door, Jamie falls into the office. “Were you eavesdropping?” she asks with fists buried in hips.
He straightens, smoothing back his hair. “Just looking out for my clients.” He produces a file folder. “Now sign this contract before you change your mind again.”
Trixie and Ruthie burst out laughing.
“Give me that.” Ruthie snatches the contract and scrawls her name on the designated lines.
The threesome discusses details of due diligence as they walk to the front door together.
“Toodle-oo!” Trixie flaps her hand in parting. “Call me when you’re ready for me to shadow you. I’m available, just sitting around twiddling my thumbs.”
“Will do,” Ruthie says with a cheek-to-cheek grin. The woman’s enthusiasm is infectious.
Jamie kisses her cheek. “Congratulations, Ruthie. You made the right decision.”
“I think so too. Now that we’ve settled that, I’d like to discuss putting my house on the market.”
Jamie drops his smile. “Are you leaving town?”
“Yes! I’m going on an extended adventure. I may come back.” She hunches a shoulder. “Or I might not.”
“There will be a lot of people with long faces around here. You’re the heart and soul of this town.”
“You know that’s not true. But thanks for saying it anyway.” She opens the door and gives him a shove. “Now get out of here before I cry.”
* * *
Ruthie is in the mood to celebrate. Too bad she agreed to have dinner with Davis. But since he’s the best she’s got, she’ll have to make do. She fastens her hair in a sophisticated updo and puts on her least sexy dress—a pink sleeveless frock with a high ruffled collar. No point in enticing him when she has no intention of sleeping with him.
She’s waiting out front when he picks her up. She slips into the passenger seat of his Porsche. “I sold the diner. I hope you’re in the mood to celebrate.”
“Heck, yes!” He punches the accelerator and speeds off down the road. “I never need an excuse to party. Although I think you’re crazy for selling your business when it’s thriving.”
She pats his arm. “You’re too young to understand.”
The hostess at Vino Bistro seats them in the least desirable corner of the terrace with a view of the parking lot. “Do you have something available overlooking the mountains?” Ruthie asks.
“Sorry,” the hostess says, gripping the menus to her chest. “We have a full house tonight. I may be able to seat you inside.”
Ruthie spots Daniel and Millie sipping cocktails with his family on the lawn. Nearby, at the outer edge of the terrace, a rectangular table is set for a large party, presumably the Love family. Daniel won’t see her if they move inside. Since she’s stuck with Davis, she might as well flaunt her handsome date. And he’s looking especially hot tonight in a pink checked shirt and dark washed jeans.
“This will have to do.” Ruthie waits until the hostess leaves to complain to Davis. “We might as well be eating in the bed of your pickup.”
Davis looks at her from behind the wine list. “What pickup? I drive a Porsche.”
“Now that you mention it, why don’t you drive a truck? You’re the owner of a hardware store.”
His blue eyes go cold. “Driving a truck is not a prerequisite to owning a hardware store, Ruthie. What’s with you tonight? First, you complain about the table, and now you’re giving me a hard time about my car. I thought you wanted to celebrate.”
Chill out, Ruthie, she tells herself. “You’re right. I’m sorry. I’m just on edge. Lots of changes in my life.”
“No worries.” He places his hand on top of hers. “Let’s start over.”
Davis orders a bottle of Veuve Clicquot, and when the waiter pops the cork, every head on the terrace turns toward them. Feeling Daniel’s eyes on her, Ruthie flashes the waiter her most brilliant smile. “We’re celebrating,” she says without telling him the occasion.
As she sips her Champagne, she watches the Love family migrate toward their table. Irritation crawls across Ruthie’s skin when Daniel takes his place at one end, with Millie seated to his right in the place of honor. What difference does it make? Ruthie will be leaving town soon to travel the country.
When she returns her attention to Davis, he is scowling at his phone as his thumbs fly across the screen.
“Is something wrong, Davis?”
“More problems at my warehouse. This may turn into something serious. Fingers crossed we don’t have to cut our evening short.”
Ruthie doesn’t cross her fingers. She wouldn’t at all be opposed to going home. And she won’t have to invent an excuse not to have sex with Davis. She could take the Champagne with her. She longs to curl up on her porch swing with her iPad and begin charting her cross-country trip. There’s nothing left for her in this town. The time has come for her to move on.