“Ever had it?”
“Well… no…”
“Eat up.” She grabbed Natalie’s hands and, in a quick sentence, had blessed the food, picked up her fork, and taken a bite.
“Okay.” Natalie pushed the mixture around in her bowl. It didn’t look too appetizing.
Glancing around the room, she saw people were enjoying the food. There was happiness in the space, and out of sheer politeness and a grumble from her stomach, she gave in and took a bite, albeit a tiny one.
Orene smirked. “You like it, don’t you?”
She licked her lips, waiting to decide. “I think I do.”
“Eat like you mean it.” She tapped her fork on Natalie’s bowl.
This town was a surprise at every turn. If Natalie had learned one thing in the short time she’d been here, it was to quit questioning what she thought she knew. It was time to start trusting the journey, because there was something new around every corner. So far, all of it had been good.
She walked with Orene back to her house and then hurried along to pick up Paul and take him grocery shopping. At least there wouldn’t be any surprises there.
Chapter Thirty
TO HERsurprise, Paul wasnotsitting at the gate waiting on her this afternoon. She took quiet jubilation in making it before him. She’d always prided herself on being early to be on time, and darn it if, up until this very day, he’d beat her to it.
“Aha! Not today, my friend.” She settled back in her seat, anxious to see his expression when he saw that she was waiting on him today. She reached over and took her sketch pad out of her tote bag. She’d been thinking about that rusty horse trailer nonstop the last couple of nights. The way Courtnie had repurposed hers and painted it had inspired her. She wasn’t going to open a coffee and tea shop with hers, but what if she used it as a kiosk? A mural showcasing her art and the note cards could be a really clever way to grab customers’ attention. It might also give her an excuse to travel a bit. Now that she had Jeremy’s truck back, she had a way to haul it.
She made a quick outline of a horse trailer, then started penning a mural on the page in front of her, incorporating many of the featured designs that were already bestsellers for her.
A smile played on her lips as she let her imagination take over.
It came together so fluidly that she could hardly wait to get started on the horse trailer with it. She’d have to find someone to help with the fabrication changes. Maybe her neighbor Joe would have some ideas.
It was then she glanced at her watch and realized Paul was late.
That wasn’t like him.
Worried, Natalie wondered if she’d gotten the wrong date or time. She sat there for another ten minutes, then got out of her car and walked up to the gate. There was no intercom, only a keypad. A sign read “No Trespassing,” clear as day.
Although she was a rule follower, her concern was stronger. She couldn’t very well leave. She tried Paul’s number, but there was no answer. Calling Jesse would just mean waiting longer.
She pressed 1234 on the keypad with no luck. Then 0000, but that didn’t work either.
Finally, she pushed on the gate and squeezed her tiny frame between the massive fence panels. The climb up the driveway was much steeper than it looked. She was winded when she made it to the curve where she usually saw Paul veer off to the right.
A black fence ran along the left side of the driveway from the trees as far as she could see to the next bend. There had to be a mile of pastureland on the other side of that fence. It was still green and as manicured as if it were a golf course. Off in the distance, a golden horse grazed, in no hurry at all.
It was a good thing Paul had that cart, because this was a long climb.
A trio of birdhouses rose in varying heights from one of the posts. One sky blue, one orange, and the other a chartreusegreen. She made a mental note to pick up a few birdhouses so she could paint them and put them near the cabin, or on the bridge, in a similar cluster as they’d done here. Maybe both.
She was worried about Paul. Hopefully, he’d just overslept.
As she walked around the next curve, her legs were tiring from the climb.When did I get so out of shape?She stopped, not because of the burning in her hamstrings and glutes, when the house came into view.
Not just any house.
This has to be the castle they were talking about.Natalie remembered Orene saying no one had ever been inside.
Paul Grandstaff can’t live here.
