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I tried to ignore the tug, something deep inside me telling me driving away so soon might be a mistake.
“Yoo-hoo!”
I turned my head, scanning the crowd to follow the voice.
“Hello, dear!”
My heart swelled at the sight of the kind, elderly woman’s warm smile, and I felt myself grinning at Tootie waving wildly at me from across the street.
I lifted my hand and waved back, then checked the roadway before crossing.
“What were you doing on that side of the street?” Tootie smiled but held me in place with her stare.
I looked around. In reality I was wandering around aimlessly. “Um, I...”
Tootie leaned closer and pulled me in by the elbow. “That’s the Kings’ side.” She waved a hand between us. “No matter. I suppose Bug and I did come to some sort of agreement over you.”
Still unsure what to say, my brows furrowed, and I offered her a confused sort of smile.
Tootie winked. “You’re a Sullivan. I just know it.”
Warmth spread through me, and I fought the urge to let her nephew’s ruggedly handsome face pop into my mind.
“Are you leaving so soon?” Tootie looped her arm in mine, and we walked down the sidewalk.
“I think so. I’m lining up my next job and a place to stay.” I leaned down to whisper. “And we can’t let our little secret get out.”
Tootie’s laughter was infectious. “Nonsense! Let them wonder. This town needs a little fun. A job and a place to stay?” Tootie patted my hand and squeezed. The motherly gesture was unfamiliar and sweet. I hugged her closer. “You let me take care of that.”
Oh yeah. This isdefinitelymy sign.
5
LARK
When Tootie sether mind to something, she was a powerhouse. Within three hours, I was set up with a place to stay and several prospects for seasonal summer work. I stepped over the threshold and looked over my new temporary home. The apartment was small, simply arranged with a living space and kitchen in the middle. It had two tiny bedrooms and one bathroom. The apartment itself was on top of a large barn that was more like a giant storage shed, and the property itself was massive.
It shared a large parcel with an old farmhouse that looked to be well maintained, but empty. The apartment was perfect.
Definitely better than some unknown motel or sleeping in my car.
From the back bedroom window, I could look out over rows and rows of blueberry bushes, and in the distance, just over the trees, I could barely make out the coastline.
She tried to fuss, but I assured Tootie that it was more than adequate, and part of the fun would be opening it up to let the breeze in while I got settled. I glanced at the list of phone numbers that she’d handwritten. I had been assured that all I had to do was mention her name and a job would be mine.
Just like that.That’s how small towns work,sheassured me.
It was up to me to decide whether I wanted to brew coffee or wait tables or sell tchotchkes to tourists.
After opening all the windows to let in a cross breeze, I rifled through my duffel bag and pulled out a pair of gym shoes. Across the expansive yard, at the edge where the blueberry field met a tree line, was a walking path.
Filled with a sense of adventure, I tossed my hair in a ponytail and bounded down the stairs and across the yard toward the path. When I reached the trailhead, my toe brushed across the limestone. A sign indicated the path was part of a thirty-four-mile former railway that had been converted to a path for walkers, bikers, and horses. While thirty-four miles was definitely out of the question, an afternoon exploring and clearing my head sounded perfect.
I pulled out my phone and dropped a pin at the trailhead so, knowing me, when I got lost or turned around, I could at least manage to find my way back. Impressed with my own forethought, I let the path lead the way.
The path was empty, but along the trail scattered signs taught about local wildlife, the old railway, and other random facts about Western Michigan. A slight breeze shook the leaves of the towering trees, and I was transported.
Late-afternoon sun filtered through the canopy, and the heat of the day had yet to burn off. I peeled off my hoodie, comfortable that I was alone, and tied it around my waist. I wore only shorts and a sports bra, but in the time I’d been on the path, I hadn’t seen a single walker, let alone a bicycle or a horse.
