“They have pie? Blueberry?”
I slow-blinked at her, not picking up the bait. She amused me more than any woman I’d ever met.
“The veg-a-holic? And, of course, breadsticks. Who doesn’t eat breadsticks? Probably the people who eat mac and cheese pizza.”
I chuckled, shaking my head. “Probably.”
The waitress came over and took our order, then I turned my full attention to Jessica again. “So how do you like Majestic Falls so far?”
I really wanted to say,so tell me everything about you and what you do in Colorado, but I figured that might be too forward. Pushy.
“So far, everyone’s been very…friendly. Of course, I’ve pretty much met you, Maple, and our waitress. From what I’ve seen, the town is adorable, and the shop is cute.”
I glanced out the window. The sun had set, but the street was lit by the posts lining the sidewalks, the decorated storefronts visible in the suffused glow. “It’s a great place to live.”
“What’s your favorite thing about it?”
I shrugged. “There’s no place like it, as I’m sure you’ve noticed. The scenery is breathtaking, and the lake is…perfect. I’ve lived here so long that I sometimes have to slow down and appreciatewhat’s around me. The mountains, the water, all the trees, our quaint town. There really is no place else like it.”
“Yeah, I think it’s like that everywhere. We get so used to our surroundings we don’t notice how unique they are. It’s easy to get caught up in the rush of life and forget.”
“True,” I agreed. “Whenever I catch myself in that cycle, I try to be more present. Get out in nature and touch grass.”
“I know what you mean.” Her fingers trailed back and forth along the edge of the table, her brows drawn together. Her head shook slightly before she aired her thought. “I guess…for that matter, we can forget how special the people in our life are…until they’re gone.”
“Spoken like a life coach. Or someone who’s experienced loss.”
“Guilty. Both of those.” She grimaced, looking sad again as she traced a crack on the slate tabletop with her fingernail.
I barely quelled my urge to cover her hand with mine and offer support.
“I just lost my mom to cancer,” she continued. “Then Doris.”
Two people she loved, lost in such a short span of time… “I’m sorry—”
She shook her head and briefly held up a hand to stop me. “Losing my momwashard. Probably the hardest thing ever. But I’m healing. They say you never really heal completely from that, and I think it’s true. But I’m doing okay. Getting there. And Doris…”
She hissed out a hard breath through her teeth. “I didn’t really know my grandma. When I was little, she and my mom had some sort of huge disagreement that turned into a lifelong rift. I don’t even know what it was about. I’m sad I didn’t know her, though.”
My heart ached for her. I couldn’t stop myself. Now, Ididcover her hand with mine, giving it a squeeze. I hoped she knew I was here to support her, even if we’d just met. Affection for Jessica grew inside me, something more than being attracted to her, and that surprised me as much as anything today.
But my foremost concern was her wellbeing, so I shoved aside anything else I felt.
“Maybe, you can get to know her through the people whodidknow her,” I suggested.
“Maybe. I hope, wherever she and my mom are, they’re figuring out things between them. That thought actually makes me happy. And…now that I’m here, I’m looking forward to hearing stories about Doris. I’m sure Maple has a few.”
“Yes…” I nodded, studying her face and wondering. Didn’t Jessica know? “She is—was… My grandma was Doris’ girlfriend.”
“I bet they were something together. Troublemakers. I can…” She hesitated, studying my face.
I waited, watching slow realization dawn.
“Oh. Wait. You mean… Like not just friends?” she said slowly. She sat back, both hands dropping to her lap, and her headtilted. “They weren’t old lady versions of Thelma and Louise? They were…in love? Like a couple?”
“Yes,” I said simply while I gauged her reaction. I would go to the death fighting for my grandma.
One side of her mouth lifted, then she chuckled. “You’re looking at me like you expect me to freak out. That news surprises me, but it doesn’t bother me.”
