Orene pressed her hand against the thick banister and climbed the stairs to the second floor. The stairs creaked and groaned beneath them.
At the top, Orene opened the double doors on an armoire that nearly reached the ceiling. Solid wood, it had to have been a bear to get up those stairs. The ornate woodwork around the mirrored door reflected the light from chandelier.
Orene retrieved a neat square of white sheets and handed them to Natalie. “There are fresh towels in the bathroom. Use whatever you like. I’m not one of those ‘hang ’em because they are pretty but don’t use them’ types. I’ve always thought towels just got better with use. A little washing never hurt one that I ever heard.”
“Excellent point.”
Orene walked to the end of the hall, and opened a door that faced the front of the house. “I think you’ll be very comfortable in here.”
The four-poster bed was so tall there was a step next to it. Natalie wondered if she got points for sticking the landing on the dismount. It was an unusual-style bed. Very simple, yet elegant.
“Orene, it’s beautiful. I feel like a princess. Are you sure I can’t pay you something for my stay?”
“I wouldn’t hear of it.”
“Will you at least join me for dinner?”
“I ate hours ago.” Orene tossed her head back, peering through her bifocals, then with a tsk, said, “Yes. I think I’d enjoy that. I’ll join you.”
“Wonderful.” Natalie dropped her overnight bag in the rocking chair next to the door. “I’m starving. You’ve got me salivating over that fried pork loin already.”
“I’ll just make a quick call so they can be preparing it as we walk down. They like it when I do that.”
“Well, then, by all means.”
They went back downstairs, and Orene used the phone on the wall in the kitchen to call the restaurant. Natalie couldn’t quite make out the conversation, but the little lady came out grinning. “You’re in for a treat. He’s putting aside two dishes of fresh cobbler for us too. He makes the best. Follow me.”
They walked out of the house and down the street like a little parade of two.
Natalie paced herself to Orene, who took two and a half baby steps for every one of hers, leaving Natalie wrestling with a crude cha-cha trying to keep from rushing her. Having worked with geriatric patients for years, she used to be pretty good at it. As she took another half step to slow down, it bothered her that she was out of practice.
She hadn’t thought about that job in a long time. Sometimes it was hard watching someone’s body wear down while their mind was sharp, but she loved working with her patients to navigate the complications of growing old. She never tired ofhearing their stories and found it interesting the memories that lasted the longest.
A whiff of something savory hung in the air outside the restaurant, making her stomach rumble.
She grabbed the Trout & Snout door handle and let Orene lead the way inside. They were met with a wave of hearty hellos as they made a beeline for what was clearly her regular table.
“Hey there, Miss Orene. I’m guessing you already called your order in ahead?” The smooth accent was way more Southern than anything Natalie had heard in Virginia before, but it was nice. Almost like a song the way each word stretched out, and despite the fact the place was packed, the waitress was cool as a cucumber. Not in a hurry at all.
“Of course, darlin’. You know me.” She patted the girl’s arm. “Amanda, honey, this here will be a new neighbor of ours. First time I’ve ever set eyes on her, but she’s practically family already. This is Natalie.”
Natalie hitched a breath. Apparently, the old wives’ tale about everyone in a small town knowing everybody was accurate.I prayed for a fresh start. Here we go.
“Well, hello there, and welcome to Chestnut Ridge.” Amanda’s smile brightened as she lowered her order pad to her apron with the Trout & Snout logo embroidered across the front. “Always nice to make a new friend. You’re going to love this town.”
“Oh, she’s been here before, only a time or two. Amanda, Natalie here was married to Jeremy.”
“Jer—” Amanda’s mouth dropped wide. “You’re…” Speechless, she stood still as if her battery had just died, thengrinned and clapped her hands together. “My goodness. It is nice to finally meet you.” She slid into the seat across from her, scooching Orene over with a nudge. “Welcome. This is the best place on earth. We loved Jeremy. Everyone misses him so much. I’m sure you do too.”
“Every day,” Natalie said. “Nice to meet you.” No wonder Jeremy loved coming here to escape. It was like a warm hug, which was what she needed right now.
“Jeremy’s wife? I can’t believe it,” Amanda said. “I’m so glad to finally meet you. This is just great. Dessert is on me tonight, ladies.” Amanda got up and snagged a tea pitcher, topping off glasses at every table as she headed to the kitchen.
The words “Jeremy’s wife” played on a loop in her brain. Not widow. Wife.
“Wow, she is a bundle of energy,” Natalie stated, realizing that may have come out wrong. “And very nice.”
“Yes, she is. An extraordinary gal, that one.” Orene smiled and waved to someone else across the room. “That guy over there, he runs the gas station and garage down on Mills Street. He took it over from his daddy about ten years ago. A little bit of a blessing, really. His daddy didn’t know a thing about these new cars with all the computers and stuff. Like that Mustang of yours, take him an old classic—he could take it down to the lug nuts and rebuild it like nobody’s business.”
