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She fiddles with her napkin. “It’s my one night off, and it’s nice out. I was thinking of going for a walk.”
Disappointment settles in my gut, which is ridiculous. This isn’t a date. Jolene can do whatever she wants, even if it doesn’t involve me.Especiallyif it doesn’t involve me.
“Of course you should go. Gotta make the most of your free time. I’ll clean without you.” I lean down to pick up her plate.
She puts her hand on my wrist. “Withyou, Cal. I’d love to go for a walk with you.”
My stomach spins faster than my circular saw, fuzzing up my brain. “Sure. Walk sounds good.”
* * *
We leave as my neighbor walks up the steps to the lower half of our duplex. Anika is wearing her nursing scrubs and looks as tired as I often feel. “Long shift?” I ask her.
“Long but good. I have a date with a glass of wine and frozen pizza to look forward to. And thanks for fixing my cupboard for me. Works like a charm now.”
“Thanks for paying me in homemade salsa. Stuff is addictive.”
With a kind goodnight to Anika, Jo and I head out at a leisurely pace, sharing the sidewalk on this warm May evening. The sky is clear and still light. The huge hickories flash their foliage as we pass the Victorian-style homes standing pretty and proud.
Joan Christie waves as she gathers her mail. Two houses down, little Meryl and her twin brother, Rhys, chase each other around their front yard.
“Cal!” Avett calls from his door. He’s an old friend of E’s and a great neighbor, who’s made a name for himself as a competent vet. “Thanks for fixing the back door. Huge help.”
I salute him. “Thanks for helping when I moved in.”
“Come for dinner soon.”
“Sure,” I say, relaxing into my stride.
“What’s with the big smile?” Jo asks.
I chuckle, not realizing I have a lazy grin on my face. “It’s this place. How much I missed Windfall.”
“Which part did you miss most?”
“The feeling here, I think. Houston is huge and packed with people, and I had my family and work, but I always felt alone there. Here…” I try to parse the contentment this town brings me, the way it settles my soul. “I’m not sure how to describe it.”
“Like you’re wrapped up in goodness? Like you’re living in a big hug? Like you have a place where you belong?”
“Yeah,” I say, sneaking a look at her tender expression. “That’s exactly it.” I can always count on Jo to put my feelings into words. “Are you volunteering to help with the Yard Goat Gallery’s reopening?”
“Of course. Will your brothers be there again?”
I nod. “Javier and his girlfriend too. Ben, obviously, and probably half the town. Guess that’s the community hug you were talking about?”
“Everyone knows your business here, but they go out of their way to help when needed.”
At least this part of my life is improving. No more cartel hit men lording threats over my family. No more hiding and fake names. Lots of work to keep me busy and employed.
“Did you ever consider leaving town?” I ask.
“Never. I mean, I’d like to travel more one day. Visit Mexico, but not the resorts and touristy areas. The smaller towns. Somewhere with markets I can explore.” She gazes longingly at the sky, like photos of her imagined travels are displayed above us. “I’d love to learn more about the food and culture.”
“Everything comes back to food for you.”
“Unexpected, right? But Windfall is my home—the people and mountains and charm. I feel so lucky to have grown up here.”
I nod, understanding exactly what she means, but there’s a pull to brush my hand against hers. To link our fingers. Stroll hand in hand like a couple on this beautiful night.
