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On Friday morning, Marla awoke at eight o’clock. As was becoming her ritual, she sat at the kitchen table in her pajamas, sipping her morning coffee. She enjoyed watching the fog clear on the lake as the sun rose into the sky. A light wind was blowing, and the sun-glistened waves danced across the lake’s surface. There was a fishing boat in sight, and Marla squinted to see it in the distance. Despite the serene scenery, she was still feeling mostly turmoil. While she still felt anger toward Charlie, she also grieved the loss of her marriage. His betrayal and the way he had poorly cared for her left her hurting deeply.
She took another sip of coffee as her cell phone rang. She didn’t recognize the number. “Hello?”
“Hi, is this Dr. Devereaux?” asked a friendly, masculine voice.
“Yes, this is Dr. Devereaux,” she replied.
“This is Griffin Jones. I’m the CEO at St. Joe’s North Hospital. Dr. Bartlett gave me your number and told me that you’re an ER doctor.”
“Oh, yes. Dr. Bartlett told me you would get in touch with me. Thank you for calling. I am looking for a job in the ER. I just moved here from Cincinnati, and I worked as one of the ER physicians there,” she explained.
Griffin replied, “Yes, Dr. Bartlett gave me a little bit of your history. We are in need of a full-time ER physician to work nights. Dr. Paine is our other full-time ER doctor, and he works mostly day shift, but I’m sure he would give up a few day shifts to you to have your help. We’ve had a few part-time docs fill in, but the docs are all still overworked. Does that sound okay to you?”
“Yes, that works for me.”
“If you don’t mind me asking, why did you move to Guntersville?”
“I inherited a lake house from my grandparents.”
“Oh, you and your family?”
Marla knew he was trying to figure out why a single woman would up and leave a job in the big city to move to small-town life. She felt a pain in her stomach as she answered. “No, it’s just me. I’m going through a divorce, so Guntersville is my new home.”
Griffin was quiet for a few seconds. Then he said, “I’m sorry to hear that ... about your divorce. But on a positive note, we’d be happy to have you work in our ER.”
Marla exhaled and smiled. “Thank you. I would love that. When can I start?”
“Can you come by my office today to get your credentialing and privileging paperwork done?”
“Absolutely. Just tell me what time.”
“Anytime will work. My assistant can prepare the forms for you, and you can complete them any time today. Once the onboarding process is finished, you can start working shifts. I’m hoping we’ll be able to put you to work by next week.”
“That sounds wonderful! I’ll make my way to the hospital in the next hour.”
They disconnected the call, and Marla felt a surge of hope. “Thank you, God,” she whispered. Not only had she moved into the lake house and met a few new people, but she was now also planting herself into the community by working there. Marla could feel herself starting to sprout roots in this new place. It felt scary and reassuring at the same time. Just keep moving forward, she told herself.
Marla plugged the hospital address into her cell phone map, and then drove toward the hospital. She found the hospital quickly and made her way to Griffin’s office. After meeting him, getting a tour of the hospital, and completing the necessary paperwork, she headed back to the lake house. On the way home, she could feel her stomach growling and remembered that she had skipped breakfast. Glancing at her cell phone, she saw it was one o’clock. No wonder I’m starving, she thought. She drove down Main Street looking from left to right. Halfway down the street to her left, she spotted Millie’s Deli. She remembered seeing it on her way to the Piggly Wiggly earlier in the week. Pulling into a parking spot along Main Street, she got out, locked her car, and crossed the street to the entrance of the deli.
Upon entering the deli, the aroma of freshly baked bread overcame her senses. She took several deep breaths in through her nose as she reveled in the smell. Her stomach growled again and started to burn. She looked around the deli. The place was quiet except for the faint sound of country music playing on a radio. There were several small tables scattered throughout the eating area that seated no more than four people. Each table held a little fresh flower centerpiece atop a gingham tablecloth. The front of the deli had a large window displaying a picturesque view of Main Street, and the walls in the eating area were decorated with a country theme with pictures of flowers and fields and other wall hangings. At the rear of the eating area was a counter that held a cash register, a cookie display containing the “cookie of the day,” and a donation box for the local animal shelter. Connected to that counter was a glass display case showing various baked goods.
Marla walked up to the display case and observed the cookies, muffins, cupcakes, and cakes. Her stomach growled loudly again, and she walked to the counter to order food. Behind the counter, she could see into the kitchen through a window. Above that window was a menu of items to choose from.
Marla started to read through the menu when she heard a distinct southern accent.
“Welcome to Millie’s. What can I get for you?”
Marla’s eyes diverted from the menu to the young lady behind the counter. Tall and slender with straight auburn hair that rested on her shoulders, the girl was attractive and appeared to be in her late twenties. Her eyes were light blue and sparkled. Marla glanced at her name tag, which read, Millie. The girl smiled at Marla, and Marla noticed how straight and white her teeth were. She wondered if she had worn braces in her younger years.
Marla smiled back at her and asked, “Hi there. What do you recommend for lunch?”
The girl grinned. “Well, I make a really good chicken salad. I add grapes and pecans to it. Do you like chicken salad?”
“Yes, chicken salad sounds great,” Marla answered.
The girl eyed Marla and said, “You’re not from around here, are you?”
Marla smiled and shook her head. She replied, “I used to visit my grandparents here when I was a kid. But you’re right, I’m not from here. I’m from Cincinnati, and I just moved here.”
The girl replied, “I knew it. Your accent is northern. Well, I’m Millie, and this is my place. Welcome to Guntersville.”
“Thank you.”
“Where are you staying?”
“I inherited my grandparents’ lake house on Surprise Valley.”
Marla was still trying to get used to the friendliness of the people who lived here.
Millie asked, “Will you be working here?”
“Yes, I’m an ER doctor, and I’ll start working at St. Joe’s North soon.”
Millie’s eyes lit up, and she exclaimed, “That’s great! My husband is Dr. Paine. He is the ER doc there now. He’s totally overworked, and we’re both going to love having you here. Maybe I’ll even get to see him now.” She leaned forward and extended her hand to Marla.
Marla took her hand and smiled.
Millie said, “We’re grateful to have you here. If you need anything, you let me know.”
Marla exhaled and felt the warmth of Millie’s words. She said, “Thank you. It’s nice to be wanted.”
Both ladies chuckled. Millie asked, “What can I get you to drink?”
“May I have a cup of coffee?”
“Sure thing. Your lunch is on the house. Welcome.”
Marla beamed. “Thank you. That is very kind.”
“Just have a seat anywhere, and I’ll bring your coffee over in a minute. I’ll bring your food out when it’s ready.”
“Thanks,” said Marla. Marla turned to look at the eating area. The tables were empty, and she guessed she had just missed the lunch crowd. She walked over to a table by the window and took a seat. The view of Main Street was picturesque and quaint. Across the street, she saw the county clerk’s office, the post office, and the bakery. There were a few passersby on the sidewalk, but the roads were mostly quiet with only an occasional car driving by.
Marla inhaled deeply and then exhaled slowly. Her nerves were still fragile, and her ability to trust had been shattered, but she was slowly finding strength in this town. The people were friendly and kind, and she was already starting to feel as if she belonged here.
Millie brought her a cup of coffee with sugar and a small carafe of cream. She smiled and said, “Your food will be right out.”
“Thank you.” Marla went back to surveying Main Street. She could see old fashioned light poles spaced evenly up and down the street. Imagining them decorated with lights, evergreen, and red bows at Christmas time, she looked forward to seeing the town then. I bet it will be so festive, she thought. She looked toward the other end of Main Street and saw a man on a bike coming toward the deli. Her attention was diverted back to the table as Millie brought her food.
“Here you go,” Millie said. “I added a couple of my homemade rolls for you.”
“Thank you.”
“Enjoy,” said Millie as she walked back to the kitchen.
Marla picked up a roll and spread soft butter on it. The bun was warm and smelled like freshly baked bread. These rolls must be that wonderful aroma I smell in here, she thought. She took a bite and closed her eyes. The taste was delicious and comforting. Her taste buds tingled with delight.
Marla heard the door to the deli open but didn’t turn around as she continued to eat. In a few seconds, she looked up when she heard a man talking to Millie. It was Micah. Marla felt a little shock go through her body as she looked at him. He was in cycling gear, and she was taken aback at how tight his cycling shorts were. She couldn’t help but notice his backside and muscular legs.
Micah placed an order for some muffins and then turned toward Marla. When he recognized her, he waved and smiled.
Marla smiled and waved back.
Micah walked over to her table and asked, “How are you?”
Marla swallowed her bite of chicken salad and responded, “Pretty good. I’m still getting settled.” She could feel her face flush as he drew closer to the table. For some reason, his presence intimidated her.
“I’m glad I ran into you,” he said. “I was going to text you today to see if I could come by the garage to get the rest of my stuff. Would it be okay if I come by Sunday afternoon, say around five o’clock?”
Marla took a sip of her coffee, trying to calm her nerves. She didn’t know why seeing him stirred up excitement in her. Clearing her throat, she replied, “Sure, that should work. I should be home then.” She remembered Delaney inviting her to Sunday dinner at two o’clock, but she thought she should be home by five.
“Great,” he said. Then he added, “I’ll see you Sunday at five.”
Marla nodded and replied, “Okay.” She asked, “Did you find a place to live?”
Micah pursed his lips. “Yes, I did.”
Marla looked at him, feeling sorry she had booted him out of his rental.
“I feel so bad for making you move.”
Micah shook his head back-and-forth. “Don’t feel bad. I found a great place, and I’m happy there.”
Marla pursed her lips and furrowed her brow. She said, “Okay. Well, I’m glad then.”
Micah smiled as he turned away and walked back to the counter. He picked up a bag Millie had left for him on the counter and yelled a thank you to her back in the kitchen before he walked out to his bike.
Marla watched him with fascination as he loaded the muffins in a zipper pouch on the back of his bike. He glanced toward the window where Marla was sitting and saw her looking at him. He waved.
Marla realized she had been caught staring at him, and her face flushed again. She smiled and waved back as she watched him ride off.
On her way home, Marla stopped at a few of the boutique shops. It had been a while since she had taken the time to browse. For the first time in a long time, she realized that although her heart still ached, she was feeling content and somewhat peaceful. She wasn’t worried about where Charlie was or when he’d be home. She would be going back to the quiet lake house and wouldn’t have to face Charlie’s condescending attitude. After browsing for a while, Marla tried on several clothing items. She ended up purchasing a couple handmade sweaters, knee-high, brown suede boots, and a new pair of jeans. Charlie wouldn’t have approved of her choices, but she didn’t have to care about what he thought anymore. Happy with her purchases, she made her way home.