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Tessa merely shrugged as she headed toward the diner at a slow pace. “Not sure. Good genetics, I suppose. Doctor says I’m fit as a fiddle, though, so you can pry my sweet desserts from my cold, dead hands.”
A chuckle, “I wouldn’t dream of it.”
They fell into a comfortable silence after that. The only noise the sounds of passing cars and the crunching leaves beneath their feet. It was easy, walking beside Daniel, listening to the quiet of the night as they traveled to their destination. Everything with Daniel had seemed easy lately. Their conversations, even when antagonistic, often left Tessa with a smile on her face. She was unsure when this shift had occurred, but she rather liked it.
Daniel opened the door of the diner for when they arrived, gallantly gesturing her inside. She hid a small smile as she passed through.My, aren’t we feeling chivalrous today?
She made a beeline for the counter, but Daniel gently grabbed her elbow, pulling her slightly in a different direction. “I thought maybe we could grab a booth. I don’t want Ernie at the counter to overhear the discussion of my book. Everyone in this town is pretty nosey.”
Tessa shrugged and followed him to the booth. They slid in, but neither of them reached for a menu. It was funny. Tessa had only been here a matter of weeks, and already, she had practically memorized the menu. Her mouth watered at the thought of Lily’s famous coffee and a slice of pie. It had become her usual.
Once the two of them ordered, Tessa reached into her canvas shoulder bag and placed the manuscript on the table between them. “So, are we going to talk about the elephant in the room?” The corners of her mouth quirked up.
Daniel returned her smile but pushed aside the manuscript. “We could. Or we could just talk. You know, as two friends. I want to thank you for your notes on my book so far. I went over my file later, and, you know, you’re right. The character is two-dimensional as he is. I will do some edits.”
Tessa felt satisfaction wash over her, along with something else. A warmth. She was touched that Daniel apologized for his defensiveness. It showed an emotional maturity she hadn’t expected from him. “I’m glad you came to that conclusion. So, when you’re not ordering pie, what do you normally get here?”
Daniel gave her a look of feigned shock. “Are you telling me I could order something other than pie?” The two shared a laugh, and he shook his head. “No, but seriously. I usually order the same thing every time.”
“Everytime?” Tessa wasn’t necessarily surprised. It seemed very Daniel-like to stick to one item on the menu. Still, it wasn’t something she could see herself ever doing. “But variety is the spice of life!”
Daniel spread his hands wide with a sheepish shrug. “What can I say? I know what I like. And for me, that’s the double cheeseburger with extra special sauce.”
“The special sauceisto die for,” Tessa agreed as she toyed with the corner of the menu. “Still, sometimes I just want to…I don’t know. Shake you out of your routine a little. You’ve got to walk on the wild side sometimes. Or at least, the moderately unsensible side.”
Tessa wanted to say more, but before she could, Lily walked over and placed the pie-laden plates in front of them. There was a moment where Lily hovered, pretending to straighten the plates until they were just right. But it was evident that she was eager to overhear something worth reporting to the town rumor mill. Tessa had to smile. She wasn’t one for gossip, but Lily somehow made the endeavor endearing.
“We’re good here, Lily. Thank you so much,” Daniel steepled his hands and rested his chin on them, giving Lily an affectionate look. But also a look that kindly communicated, “Please back off.” Tessa had to have him teach her that. It had to take a hell of a lot of nuance.
Lily hesitated for a moment before clicking her tongue in disappointment and venturing from the table. She bustled over to another table nearby, though just within earshot. Tessa had to hand it to her—she sure was persistent.
Daniel leaned in conspiratorially, speaking at a lowered volume. “We could always give her something to talk about.”
Tessa couldn’t fight the mischievous grin that crossed her features. “Oh, I like that sound of that. What do you think? Recounting alien abduction stories or dropping hints about a conspiracy that would rock this town to its core.”
Stroking his stubble, Daniel looked toward the ceiling as he thought about it. “I believe we’re thinking too small. We have to name-drop someone from the town, or it won’t be nearly as interesting for her.”
Tessa’s eyes widened. “I like the way you think, Small Town. But I worry about putting someone else in her path,” she took a bite of her pie and smiled softly, savoring the flavors that exploded in her mouth.
When she opened her eyes, Daniel was watching her, an affectionate grin on his face, “You, uh, really like pie.”
She waved her fork at him and rolled her eyes, “Don’t judge. I choose to revel in the small things. You should try it sometime.”
Daniel’s face grew a bit more serious as he murmured, “Who says I don’t?”
Tessa’s face flushed, and she shifted in her seat, suddenly feeling a bit fluttery under his gaze. She cleared her throat and choked out her response, “You never run out of ways to surprise me, Daniel.”
Chapter eight
Danielstrungthefairylights along the overhead beam carefully. Patty might seem like a sweet old lady, but she was ferocious when it came to the aesthetics of her Harvest Festival decorations. He leaned back, tilting his head to take in the arrangement. The display was really shaping up. It actually looked like a cornucopia now, though the paper-mache vegetables had yet to be added to the base.
He smiled to himself, imagining the child’s choir standing before the display in their Halloween costumes, belting out show tunes for the townspeople. It was an unusual tradition, for sure, but one that he always enjoyed.
Sweeping his gaze across the plaza, he noticed Tessa talking to Patty. They matched each other in their enthusiastic gestures, and the sight was incredibly amusing. Tessa had really made a place for herself here in Lucas, and it warmed his heart to see.
There was something about her—a certain vulnerability—that told him Tessa was desperate to find a place of belonging. By his account, she had found it here, as the townspeople he loved had welcomed her with open arms.
Spinning a hammer in his hands, he got caught up in staring across the plaza at her. He didn’t even notice his friend Randy until he was waving a hand in Daniel’s face.
