“Couple of hours.”
“Well, Natalie, you must be famished. The Trout and Snout is right up the block, and it has great food. Tonight’s special is their fried pork tenderloin. It’s my favorite. Good ol’ comfort food.”
“Comfort food sounds perfect right now,” Natalie said.
The woman stepped toward her. “I’m Orene. I’ve lived hereall my life. I was born up in that front bedroom.” She pointed to the upstairs, and sort of gave Natalie the once-over. “You seem like a nice young lady. My husband would’ve liked you at first sight. He had such a good sense of people.”
“Thank you. It’s nice to meet you.” Natalie took the first step down from the porch. “Thank you for the information.” She walked toward her car, wishing she’d made a better plan. This was not how she wanted to start the most significant change in her life.
Disappointment hung on her like a weight, making her tired. Hopefully, a good dinner would perk her up enough to drive to Roanoke to find a room.
Chapter Ten
NATALIE COULDN’Tbelieve she’d put herself in this position. She’d call the hotel as soon as she got to the restaurant. If she couldn’t get a room and had to sleep in the car, it was her own fault. Hopefully it wouldn’t get too cold tonight.
“Natalie, wait a minute,” Orene called out from the porch. “Hang on there.”
She stopped and saw Orene waving her hands in the air. “I mean, it’s not like I could take your money, but dear, I have plenty of bedrooms. I can give you some clean sheets to put on the bed. Why don’t you settle in here for the night? Or two, if that’s what it takes. We can play it by ear.”
“Really?” Gratitude flooded over Natalie. “I’d be so thankful. I can pay you.”
“You’ll do no such thing. You have roots in this town, even if it is by marriage.” Orene pursed her lips. “That still counts. It’s the neighborly thing to do.”
Natalie swallowed back thankful tears. “I appreciate this so much. I’ll clean up after myself, I promise. Thank you.”
“Get your things, and I’ll show you to your room.”
Natalie didn’t waste a second, jogging the rest of the way to the car to get her overnighter.
Orene stood at the steps. “You can walk down to the Trout and Snout from here. You probably passed it on your way in. No sense in driving, plus a nice walk is good for the digestion, you know?”
Natalie hitched the bag on her shoulder as she joined Orene on the porch. “I appreciate your hospitality.”
“It’s my pleasure, dear. Sometimes things just happen the way they’re supposed to.”
And sometimes they don’t.
Orene opened the front door and held it for Natalie. “Come on in, dear.”
Natalie stepped inside. Years had worn the century-old front door smooth above the old metal hardware. She pushed the heavy door closed behind her, taking in the beautiful old home. The ornate millwork adorning the high ceilings was like nothing she’d ever seen.
“It’s good to finally meet you, Natalie. We all wondered why Jeremy didn’t bring you around.”
It had never crossed her mind that people here might know who she was. He never spoke of anyone except his hunting buddies, but even that was just in passing.
“Hunting was really Jeremy’s only hobby,” Natalie said. “It wasn’t the kind of thing we’d do together. It didn’t seem right for me to tag along.”
“Very wise of you,” Orene said. “Women know the value of good friends. A lot of men never experience that. Come on in.”
The original hardwood floors told of years of faithful service to the people who lived here and probably lots of friends and family over the years.
“Your home is beautiful.” Natalie admired the chandelierthat hung in the foyer. It illuminated the front hall and a grand staircase. She could imagine a bride dressed all in white descending the staircase on her wedding day.
“All original, I bet.” Natalie felt her cheeks redden as she realized she’d spoke the words out loud. “This house is absolutely gorgeous. I adore old architecture.”
“It’s home.” Orene sniffed and wiggled her glasses back up on her nose. “And yours for a day or two as well.”
“Lovely.”
