Page 20 of Hometown Girl

As Dina talked, Beth thought she detected a southern accent, which was odd since she and Dina had both been born right there in Northern Illinois.

“Oh?” Beth took a drink of water.

“Weren’t you the one leading the charge straight out of town senior year? I thought for sure you’d be a big-city girl by now. But then I never thought I’d be one, and just look at me.”

“Yeah, I think I heard you were living in Chicago now.”

“I am. I have my own ad agency.” Dina flashed her brilliant smile. “I run into Michael sometimes. He’s still there, you know.” She rolled her eyes. “I swear, that man is a complete idiot for what he did to you.”

Heat rushed to Beth’s cheeks.

“Oh, I’m sorry, Beth. I’m trying to stop being so blunt all the time. My husband says it’s off-putting.” As if on cue, Dina flipped her left hand in the air just long enough for the large diamond on her ring finger to catch the light.

“Anyway,” she went on, “I actually came over here because I heard you bought Fairwind Farm and I just could not believe it. I mean, there’s living in Willow Grove, and then there’s putting down roots in Willow Grove. Sounds like you’re in it for the long haul.”

Beth looked around to make sure no one was listening. She did not want anyone—least of all Dina Larson—thinking she’d done something as stupid as buying a dilapidated farm in Willow Grove. She needed to get as far out of town as she could, and fast.

“I tell you what. It’s brilliant. Absolutely brilliant,” Dina said, cutting off Beth’s mental gymnastics.

Was that sarcasm?

“I told my husband all about it, and he said we should try and buy it from you.” She let out a loud, ill-timed laugh, then studied Beth as if her statement warranted a reply. Beth couldn’t have conjured one if she tried.

“I should’ve known you had a plan, living here all this time. No way you were just hiding out here because some guy dumped you.” She grinned. “That is not the Beth Whitaker we know and love.” She punctuated every other word of her last sentence with tiny swats on the shoulder.

Beth stuttered, noticing a few errant stares in their direction. She supposed everyone knew about her and Michael. They were the homecoming king and queen. That made them Willow Grove royalty. Practically. And it also seemed to give everyone in town a right to have an opinion about their relationship.

“After all, it was you who pushed me to do better during high school. If it weren’t for you, I might not have gotten my scholarship to Northwestern, and then I never would’ve gotten the job at Pierce Advertising, and if I hadn’t gotten that job, I wouldn’t have met my husband and we wouldn’t have started our own agency.” She paused and looked at Beth. “It’s like I owe all my success to you.”

Well, at least she could take solace in that.

“Anyway, I knew you were just biding your time, waiting for the right opportunity to come along. Obviously. I told my granny that, and she didn’t believe me. Said she was sure you were the latest victim of the Willow Grove vacuum. You know how this town is, sucking people back in to watch their lives slowly rot away. You can’t chase dreams here, Beth. It just doesn’t work that way.”

Beth didn’t respond.

“Unless, of course, you have a genius idea like this one. Get yourself a piece of the tourism pie—and then, after you get it up and running, you can add it to your résumé and get out of Dodge. The place will practically run itself if you hire the right help.”

“I didn’t buy—”

“It’s impressive, Beth. Smartest thing ever. Seriously, my daddy always said that old farm was what started it all. Said Fairwind put Willow Grove on the map. People just loved that place when we were kids.”

Beth smiled. “They did.”

“Well, I can’t wait to see what y’all do with it. We’ll be sure to keep checking in on your progress.”

Beth had no doubt.

“And if you do decide to sell ...” She pulled a small white business card from her purse. “Smell that. I sprayed it with this really expensive perfume my husband brought home after his last trip to Paris.”

Beth touched the card to her nose absently.

“Isn’t it the most delicious thing you’ve ever smelled?”

“It’s nice,” Beth said.

“Okay. Good to see you again, Beth.” Dina leaned over and pulled her into one of the top most awkward hugs of all time, then sauntered away.

As she did, she revealed Callie standing behind her, wearing a dirty apron and an exasperated look. “You did what?” She sat down next to Beth, setting a tray of undelivered food on the table in front of her.

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