Page 18 of New in Town

She throws her hair up in a high ponytail and pulls on her worn bootcut jeans and a gray vintage wash tee. Trading sneakers for boots today, she slides into them and races down the stairs. Following the walkway around the corner, she pulls open the bakery door and is greeted by a rush of sugar, spice, yeast, and coffee roast.

“Maddie! Welcome, I’m glad you stopped in,” Lou booms from across the room. He’s leaning over dough on a butcher block counter, kneading in a practiced rhythm. Raising a flour covered hand, Lou points to a wooden stool nestled in a corner beside the counter containing the coffee pot.

“Good morning, thank you for the invitation,” she replies as she perches atop the stool.

“Consider it an open invitation. Grab a mug, and in just a moment, my famous chocolate cinnamon twists will be done for you.”

“Chocolate and cinnamon together? That sounds wonderful.” She fills a coffee mug and brings it up to her face, inhaling deeply. “I wish this smell made its way upstairs, too.”

Lou chuckles as he wipes his hands and moves to pull a tray from one of his stainless-steel ovens. He slides a small, twisted pastry from the tray onto a plate and brings it over to her. “The previous resident always raved about how good the apartment smelled when I had the ovens running.”

“Did you know him well?” she asks, eyes widening at the mention of Henry.

“Very. You’re sitting on his stool.” Lou studies her for a moment, his eyes settling on her face. “Did you?”

“Not really, no,” she whispers.

“He was a good friend. Started most mornings together, just like this. And we had a lot of good talks, like about his daughter.”

“He talked about his daughter,” Maddie echoes, pressure building behind her eyes.

“Talked about you plenty, Maddie.” Lou delivers the statement with a softness that nearly breaks her. He nudges the plate containing the fresh pastry closer, waiting for her to peel her gaze off the brick floor.

“How long have you known?”

“I knew he was sick, and that he was leaving the apartment to you. He was so worried you wouldn’t come, I promised I’d look out for you when you showed up.”

“And does anyone else—”

“This was between Henry and me. Just like it will stay between you and me, if that’s what you want. As far as anyone else is concerned, you’re simply the new vet in town who happened across some empty real estate.”

“Thank you, Lou. I think… I’d like to know about Henry. If you are okay with talking about him,” she replies.

“You got it, kid. Now eat up before you offend me that you haven’t tried that twist.”

* * *

Her thoughts are racing as she pulls into the entrance for the ranch. She comes back to the same question as always, why? At least talking to Lou might give her more direct answers than the letters.

One look into the vast property before her though, and her brain begins to settle. She is enthralled by the way the dirt drive winds deep into the valley. For the first time this morning, she slows down and takes her time. She moves through the ranch, eager to take in every inch of the landscape. She absorbs the rolling green fields, the crystal-clear river, and the mountains, taller and more assuming than the ones that stretch down into town.

She follows the drive past the beautiful, classic white farmhouse and over the ridge to the barns. She parks beside three trucks in a line as a pretty blonde woman, clad in denim, an oversized graphic T-shirt, and cowgirl boots, approaches. A smile blooms across her face as Maddie jumps down out of the Jeep to meet her.

“Hi! I’m Laurel,” the woman introduces herself. Maddie recalls that this is the name Grey said for Brett’s fiancée the other day.

“I’m Maddie, I appreciate you giving me a call to come out,” she replies.

“We are happy to have you here! I’m not from this town either. Actually, I’m not even from this side of the country. I can understand how the town may have you feeling. But it’s not like that at Hayes Ranch, you’ll love everyone here. Come on, I’ll show you around!”

Laurel leads her through a glass and iron garage door into the first weathered wood barn. “This whole place is stunning,” she breathes, taking in the intricate herringbone floor and shiplap walls.

“I wish I could take credit for some of the modern touches and beautiful style, but it was like this when I got here,” Laurel beams.

They make their way through the third structure and stop at the entrance to the fourth. “These are the stables. I take care of most things in here with Floyd, our team lead. Well, our abdicating team lead.”

“I thought that was Brett?” Maddie asks as Laurel leads her out of the sunlight and into the barn.

“He owns the ranch. Then appoints a team lead for the ranch hands. It’s been Floyd since Brett was a kid though, so he’s earned his retirement.” Laurel stops just inside the entrance and turns to Maddie. “You’ll meet Brett today. He’s out with a few guys fixing a fence in one of the pastures, but he’ll make sure to be in before you leave.”

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