“I have no idea. I’m not that kind of girl either.”
They both laughed, and Natalie was glad the conversation was getting more lighthearted. “I’ll be fine. It has electricity. It’s not like I’ll be sleeping in a tent.”
“I’ll miss you. I like you being here. I’m not ready for you to leave.”
“I know, but we’re going to turn into the Golden Girls before we know it. We both need to move on.”
“What’s so wrong with that? You do pour a nice glass of wine. Didn’t they always eat cheesecake? I do love a good cheesecake.”
“Yeah. Me too. I promise to have a wine rack well stocked at the new place just for you.”
“Are you sure you’ll be okay up there?”
“No,” Natalie said. “But I’m sure I want to try.”
“When was the last time you were there?”
“Five, maybe six years ago.”
“Maybe we should take a road trip and check it out before you go moving out.”
“I can make it work. I know I can.”
“Well, you know what? I’m not going to argue this. I like that the fiery friend I’ve known and loved for so many years showed up today. There’s nothing you can’t do if you put your mind to it.” She snapped her fingers in the air and let out a hearty laugh. “One little mouse and I’d be back in the city. I wouldn’t do it, but I know you can.”
“Thank you for believing in me, and thank you for being there for me through all of this. You are the best friend in the world.”
“You were a saint helping keep me coolheaded through the whole separation and divorce from Dan. Why is it so easy for us to place blame where it belongs when a man cheats, but when he milks you for all you’ve got… you think it’s all your fault?”
“I don’t know. I guess I’d like to believe I was smarter than that.”
“You can’t out-con a con, Nat. He probably loved that you were a challenge for him.”
“Well, I doubt we’ll ever get the chance to know that, from what Randy said today.”
“The handsome detective.” Sheila sat back in her chair. “He likes you, ya know. He’s a good guy.”
“Maybe in another place and time, but it’s just business.”
“Doesn’t have to be.”
“We’re not having this conversation.” Natalie thought of his dinner invitation. She’d keep that to herself, or else Sheila would have her in a little black dress and out the door on a date. “Besides, I’m heading up to the cabin tonight.”
“Already? Tonight? It’ll be dark by the time you get there, and I haven’t had a minute to get used to the idea.”
That was the point, but Natalie didn’t say that out loud. “I’ll be a phone call away.”
“If you even have service.”
“I’ll check in when I get there, even if I have to go back down the mountain to get a connection. Deal?”
“I have a feeling you’ve already packed. Am I right?”
“You are.”
Sheila got up and hugged Natalie. “Deal. Don’t you go silent on me. You need to call and check in every day for a while. Not just for you, but for me too.”
“I wrote the address down on your calendar. I’m here for you, Sheila, no matter where I put my pillow.”
