I wasn’t checking social media and was overall spending way less time on my phone.
I liked Golden Falls.
I’d wanted to find a place I was excited to settle down in and plant roots, but I couldn’t get out of the habit of moving around. It’s what I did when the opportunity forParadise Lovecame up, and even now, it was what I was doing for the summer.
Maybe I did default to running, but that was only because I didn’t feel like I had my own safe space to retreat to when things got hard.
It was similar with friendships and relationships. I kept people at a distance, because I knew eventually one of us would move away or get too busy. And then what? I’d tried long-distance friendships. They worked for a while but eventually fizzled out.
Even though I’d been in Chicago for the last four years, I still hadn’t put down roots. As much as I enjoyed the city, it wasn’t the place for me long term. But I couldn’t figure out why. Why could I see myself more in Golden Falls than Chicago? What was I missing?
I had time to figure it all out. But the looming feeling that I should have it all solved by now? It didn’t go away. Society had a timeline, for women especially. Finish school, get married, and start having kids—all before turning thirty. Ididwant that, eventually, but first I wanted to be happy on my own. I didn’t want to fall for the wrong person, again.
It wasn’t lost on me how lucky I was to afford a summer up here in the first place and take the time to be passionate about my career again. I wasn’t about to let this chance go to waste.
The last few months especially, I’d felt an increased sense of anxiety. That my career wasn’t on the right path, that I wasn’t making enough money, that I’d lost touch with people in my life. Maybe it was silly to think a reality TV show would fix all that, but I thought it would encourage me to not think about work and focus on the relationships in front of me.
Turns out, what I needed all along was getting away to a Wisconsin small town. Much more realistic than Fiji.
The cabin truly was equipped to be a summer rental, and it surprised me that it had been empty for what sounded like a couple of years. Surely it had to have been by choice, since a property like this would get booked immediately.
I leaned my head back against the Adirondack chair on the back porch, taking a few minutes for myself and admiring the view before heading downtown for most of the day. The gentle breeze brushed my face, and the warm sun kissed the exposed skin of my legs and arms. I’d opted for a pair of distressed denim shorts, a tank top, and sandals today. Much more casual and relaxed than what I wore to work back in Chicago.
As much as I wanted to sit out here all day, I had to get my day started. My first stop was Hal’s Hardware.
The drive downtown was getting more familiar. I didn’t need my GPS this time. Progress! The overview Lily gave me last weekreally helped. Everything was pretty close to each other and easy to find once I got to Main Street. I typically parked my car in front of Lily’s café and then walked to where I needed to go. Today that was Hal’s.
Lily told me he was a man in his early seventies who’d lived here forever. He ran his hardware store and also owned the building where Lily’s café and Eliza’s yoga studio were.
According to Lily, Hal was nearing retirement and was looking to decrease his responsibilities with managing the building. Lily was hoping for the opportunity to own the building and had been setting aside savings each month so she’d be ready if Hal approached her about a potential deal. She had a feeling he’d say something by the end of the year based on various hints from him.
I pushed open the red wooden door to Hal’s, and the bell over it jingled. An older man with thick white hair, a round belly, and glasses sliding off his nose, wearing jeans and a checkered blue shirt, turned around from the front counter, a welcoming smile on his face. I assumed this was the famous Hal of Hal’s Hardware.
“Howdy, miss. What can I do for ya?”
“Hi, I’m here to look at some paint swatches. I’m picking out a color for Lily’s café. You must be Hal.” I took a few steps toward the counter and stretched my hand out. “I’m Jules. I’m staying at the Richards’s rental cabin.”
Hal easily shook my hand, nodding as he listened. “Welcome to Golden Falls. Anyone who is friends with the Richards family, especially Miss Lily, is good in my book. I can’t believe she’s in her twenties already. I could’ve sworn she just graduated high school.” There was a warm fondness in his voice.
“Lily had nothing but good things to say about you, too. I take it you’re close with her and her family?”
Hal nodded. “Yes, ma’am. Those kids are like grandchildren to me, especially with my own grandson not living in town. It’s been a while since I’ve seen him, but he’s doing well for himself. He’s a couple years older than Lily.” He paused for a moment before adding, “My son left Golden Falls and hasn’t looked back since. Turns out this town isn’t right for everyone, but I have a feeling it’ll be right for you.”
When Hal spoke about his son, his tone wasn’t angry or upset. More so like he’d accepted this was how it all worked out. And while it sounded like there was more of a story there, I didn’t want to push.
“Oh, thank you.” I smiled. “I’m only here for the summer, but I’m trying to make the most of my time here.”
Hal hummed, and I could’ve sworn there was a twinkle in his eye. After a beat, he added, “Good they’re renting out that cabin again. It’s a beautiful property.”
That was the second time someone mentioned there had been a period of time when the cabin wasn’t being rented out.
“It really is beautiful. I’m so glad I’m able to stay there and get to know this town. I haven’t been here long but can already tell there’s something special about Golden Falls.”
The corner of his lips twisted upward. He stepped from behind the counter and waved his hand for me to follow him to the back corner of the store.
“I’ll likely need to order whatever paint you pick out since my in-store supply is limited, but go on ahead and take a look. Feel free to come and get me if you have any questions.” Hal extended his arm to showcase the wall filled with paint swatches to choose from. My gaze zeroed in on the section of pastel yellow.
“Perfect! I’ll be sure to ask if anything comes up. Thanks so much, Hal.”
