Chapter Twenty-Two
NATALIE DROVEdown the mountain with Paul in the back of the shiny red car. The curves were a little more precarious going down the mountain, but the fleet car handled them with ease. The sun shone brightly and the cows were now grazing closer to the road. She reached for her sunglasses in the top of her handbag and slid them on.
“So what brought you to Chestnut Ridge, if I may ask?” Paul asked.
Why is that question so hard to answer?Maybe because it was a bundle of things.
She glanced in the rearview mirror. “Well, I lost my husband a few years ago.”
He nodded but didn’t let her off the hook with just that. He sat quietly as if waiting on the rest of the answer.
“I don’t have any family, and neither did my husband, but he had a hunting cabin that he really loved.” He was still watching her. “I needed a change, so I will be staying there for a while.”
“A change, huh?”
“Yes, sir. Something positive.”
“Well, I’m sorry for your loss. Losing a loved one is the hardest thing.” He shook his head and looked out the window. “I know that firsthand.”
His voice softened, and she instantly felt a connection with him. “I’m sorry for your loss. How long ago did you lose your wife?”
He lifted a frail hand, a slim gold band still on his ring finger. “It was eons ago. I was a younger man at the time, but not as young as you. It changed the course of my life, and some of it has been really good.”
“Well, then there’s hope for me.”
“Yes, and you will be okay eventually. It’s not an easy thing to go through. I’m sorry you’re experiencing this so young.”
“Thank you.” She’d learned how to politely acknowledge the remarks about her loss with a gentle smile that no longer came with a bucket of tears.
Paul passed the crumpled bag he’d been carrying over her seat. “This is for you. They are fresh eggs. You’re not one of those vegans who doesn’t eat eggs, are you?”
“Not a chance. You brought me eggs?”
“I’ve got some chickens. They lay more eggs than one man can eat. Practically more than the town can eat, I think.”
“Thank you. That’s so nice of you, and there’s nothing I don’t eat. Oh, except black licorice. Just never could get the taste for that.”
“Never cared for those black jelly beans myself.”
“Well, we have something in common already.”
“I was assured we would hit it off,” he said.
Orene probably called and filled him in already.“Well, it’s very nice to meet you. Can I assist you inside the pharmacy today, or will we just be picking up at the drive-thru?”
“Just a pickup.”
“Drive-thru it is.” She turned into the pharmacy and pulled up to the window. “We’re picking up prescriptions for—” She couldn’t even finish the sentence before the pharmacist looked past her and began a conversation with him herself.
“Mr. Grandstaff. Good to see you, sir. We have your order ready. Just one moment.” The woman sprinted from the window, gathering little bags and stapling them together.
Natalie twisted in her seat and smiled at Paul. “Grandstaff. That’s such a lovely name.”
“Yes. It’s a good name. Has served me well.”
The pharmacist returned to the window and slid the stack of prescription bags out in the tray. “Here you go. You’re all set. Everything has been posted to his account.”
Natalie took the bags and the signature pad and handed them to Paul.
