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“Do you want to go in?” Ellis gestures toward the front door with its brass doorknob.
I shake my head. “Later, after I show you the rest of the main shops.”
“I’m holding you to that.”
“You know, you’re pretty sadistic behind that big smile and friendly countenance.”
“What?” She laughs. “I’m just making you face things you’ve been avoiding. Cause that’s what good friends do.”
I stick my tongue out at her. The door to the bookstore opens, and I hiss. “Get ready to see that tax in action,” I whisper.
“Mrs. Ethel.” I force a strained smile for the salt and pepper-haired woman with a dour, oval-shaped face with protruding cheekbones and thin pale pink lips turned down in the corners. Her small eyes narrow.
“Daphne Blume. I’m surprised to see you back in town. Are you visiting?”
“I’m here to stay for a while, actually.”
“Oh. Of course. After your…. What do they call it when one isn’t properly married … an uncoupling? I’m sure familiar places and faces will do you some good. We all watched it on television. It was shameful how he treated you. You’ve always loved books and coffee. We know that was your brain baby. I still remember how you’d get excited over the new flavors we’d get in.” She chuckles, and I smile.
“Such a shame your fellow couldn’t commit. That piece of paper people dismisses so easily these days protects more than a woman’s reputation.” Her words paint a picture. I’m the town’s precautionary tale. When you don’t fall in line and you buck tradition, the risk you take is being abandoned and disrespected. I cringe mentally, but I’ll be damned if I let her know she’s gotten under my skin.
“It’s sad when things don’t work out. But thankfully, I discovered that before I took his last name.”
She sputters like a kettle rattling around on a burner about to blow. “It’s always good to look at things with a silver lining,” she says in a condescending tone. “You haven’t been around, so you might not know your old bestie is now an eligible bachelor. Newton and Nell have a really good connection going.” Ethel Lawson might as well have pissed on New’s leg.
“That’s nice for them.” Ethel’s icy blue eyes narrow as she studies me like a human lie detector. Satisfied with whatever she sees, she nods.
“I agree.” Her bright white smile returns. “What do you plan to do?”
“I’m not sure yet, Mrs. Ethel. For now, I want to settle in and take in all the changes that’ve come to Emerald Ridge.”
“We have so much more to offer than we did when you were younger. Oh.” She glances to my right. “Pardon me for being so rude. Who’s your friend?”
“This is Ellis Richmond. My best friend since college.”
“Hi, Mrs. Ethel. It’s nice to meet you.” Ellis holds out her hand, and they shake.
“We’re happy to have you in our town. I know Daphne will give you the grand tour. Be sure you two stop by Richmond’s just off Main Street on Magnolia Drive.”
“We will, Mrs. Ethel,” I assure her.Heaven forbid we forget her family’s establishment in our exploration.I picture Mr. Loren with his silver-shot dark brown hair and map-lined face. His hawkish nose, thin pale pink lips, and bushy eyebrows always made him seem sterner than he was. As an adult, I recognized he was simply quiet and soft-spoken. I think he should be considered for sainthood after all the years he’s put up with his wife and smoothed the feathers she’s ruffled.I know opposites attract, but that arrangement seems masochistic.
“I’ll let Nell know you’ll be coming by sometime today. She’s the manager now and oversees the place more and more.”
“That’s wonderful. I’m looking forward to catching up with her.” The curly-haired, brown-eyed girl with a bright smile and soft voice was always my go-to partner for class assignments. With her curvy frame, and thick chocolate-brown hair, Nell’s always had an understated beauty. I’m surprised she’s not already married with a few kids, but I know there are slim pickings in our age bracket.
Mrs. Ethel straightens. “It was lovely talking to you ladies, but my lunch is almost up. Welcome back Daphne. It’s nice to have you back.” She places a gentle hand on my arm and squeezes before she walks away.
“Wow. That was straight out of a Hallmark movie,” Ellis whispers.
“You’re seeing the small-town tax in action.”
She shakes her head. “Why was she warning you off, New?”
The name still makes my heart lurch. “Since his divorcee a year and a half ago, he’s the most eligible bachelor. A hometown boy with a heart of gold, steady pay, and good father energy is a steal.”
“That doesn’t explain why she thought the two of you would be dating.”
“Everyone expected us to end up together.”
