“I’m willing to do my part.”
“Well, there you go. You just passed the first neighbor test. Welcome to Chestnut Ridge.”
That’s the kind of people Sheila needed to be meeting. She hoped she would come and experience it at some point, but she was definitely a city girl.
Chapter Twenty-Six
IT HADbeen a long time since Randy took a whole weekend off work. Even longer since he’d done so to meet up with a woman. But as much as he’d like to think this might turn into a date, he knew she had reached out because she needed his help. He was just glad she’d called him for it.
His truck was loaded to the gills for the day trip.
Guns, ammo, targets, fishing gear, a cooler, a change of clothes in case they did go fishing, a nicer shirt in case he could talk her into letting him take her out to dinner, and snacks, because he didn’t like to be anywhere without some healthy snacks. He had no idea what kind of food she enjoyed, when she wasn’t downing half-dozens of Krispy Kreme doughnuts, that is.
His stomach grumbled. He reached into the grocery sack in the passenger seat until his hand landed on an apple. He pulled it out and took a big bite.
Good stuff, right there.
He chomped while he drove, the roads beginning to lift and curve the closer he got to the Blue Ridge Mountains. It was a pretty drive. It would be beautiful when the leaves were in full color in a couple more weeks.
He wiped his sticky fingers on his jeans and drank the rest of his coffee, which was only lukewarm at this point.
The sign for Chestnut Ridge welcomed him, and an arrow to the right led him straight down Main Street. He stopped and topped off his fuel tank, then called Natalie.
“Hey. I hope I didn’t wake you. I made better time than I thought I would. I’m already here in town.”
“That’s great. You’re fine,” she said with a bounce in her voice. “I’ve got coffee on.”
“That sounds good. We’ve got a beautiful day ahead of us.”
“I’m so glad the rain held off. I was afraid you might have to teach me to shoot from the porch.”
“We could do that.”
She laughed, then rattled off the landmarks to get to her place. “I’ll meet you at the red pole gate and lead you back.”
“Is there more than one way in?”
“Well, no, it’s just not a paved road.”
“I’m in my truck. You stay put. I’ll be there shortly.”
“All righty then. Just park at the bridge next to my truck. The cabin is right across the bridge to the left. You’ll see it.”
“On my way.”
He ended the call, excited to see her again. When he looked across the way, he noticed the potted mums in front of the little store next to the gas station. He put the fuel cap back on his truck, snagged his receipt, and then jogged next door. He had a brilliant orange mum in his hand at the register when he saw the cut flowers. “Can I get one of those bouquets instead?”
“Sure. Just set that down. Which do you like?” the woman asked.
“The one with the sunflowers.”
She grinned. “That’s my favorite. Aren’t they just inherently happy?”
“Yes. I believe you’re right.”
Lifting a large bouquet of the cut flowers from a can, she wiped the wet ends with a towel. “Can I add a bow to this for you? Is it for someone special?”
He felt the heat rise in his cheeks. “A bow would be really nice.”
