Page 217 of Banter & Blushes

“I think you already know the answer to that one,” he took another drink.

“I think you do, too.”

CHAPTER 6

Elva naturally woke up before the sun and her alarm clock. Checking the time, she decided to startthe day. “There’s no time like the present,” she was known to say. How else did she expect to get so much accomplished on any given day?

Walking downstairs she surveyed her tidy house. Though she spent more time at the restaurant than her own home, it was warm and inviting. Framed photos of her parents sat on a small mantle above the fireplace. She enjoyed having everything just so. It was quiet and restful. “Is it too quiet?” She asked in the empty kitchen, recalling the conversation with Josephine the day before.She doesn’t even have a dog. Her friend’s voice replayed in her mind.

Shaking the idea away, “I don’t have time for a dog. It wouldn’t be fair to him or her.” She knew that was true. Still, she loved dogs. Her hands fluffed her shimmery silver hair in the back. She loved the no fuss hair cut she got a year ago.

Squeezing some fresh lemon juice into her glass of water she sat on her sun porch waiting for the first rays of light to take her walk in. Soon she laced up her shoes and was out the door.

When she was a little girl living in a one-bedroom apartment with her parents, all she wanted was a house of her own and a town to call home. When she moved to the Landings she knew she was meant to live there for the rest of her life. The community greeted her and her mother with open arms. The success of her restaurant wasn’t only because of the lack of competition, but her warm smile that greeted every diner. She knew everyone there by name. A pseudo grandmother for many, confidant and friend, she embraced the community that embraced her back.

Walking down Landings Lane, she admired all the flowers and pops of color on her neighbor’s front porches. Each home was similar to the next, tidy cape cods with large front and back porches. Trucks going to work slowed down when they saw her. A few honking their horn, others waving out the window like they did every morning. “Good morning,” she smiled at each of them.

She was a constant in the Landings. Out on her walks every morning regardless of the weather. Taking in all the sights and fresh air she could before tending to her work. She loved everything about being part of this town.

“Good morning,” she hummed in a singsong way to Bob getting out of his truck at the hardware store.

Raising his coffee cup in the air, he simply answered with “mornin’ Elva.”

Bob was gruff, but he was a good man. Liked to have things the way he wanted them, but she couldn’t fault him for that. She was the same. Her idea of the way things should be was less rooted in not changing anything and more in changing everything for the better. To her growing their little town was not only inevitable but a gift they could share with others. The gift of experiences their small-town atmosphere, celebrations and even her famous hot chocolate over the holidays.

Walking by the docks she stopped to soak in the early morning sun warm on her face. The boats were already out for the day leaving empty trucks parked in the lot in their place. She did worry about how the Landings would look with more construction. At their meeting they agreed to the building of a few new businesses and townhomes that would surely be rented to summer tourists looking for a quiet escape from the outside world. Building up the North Shores area wouldn’t affect the south end of the Landings, the historic fishing village. There wasn’t any space to build on there, anyway. All the houses were passed down through the generations with few ever going up for sale. She was lucky enough to purchase her own home after an elderly resident without any family left was placed in a nursing home. The timing just worked out.

Huh, she turned her head to the side. Looking onto the horizon. She hoped she didn’t end up exactly the same way. No one to take care of her and no one to pass anything onto. That was a thought she never had before.

Going through her life as an independent, strong woman she didn’t put much time into thinking about a romantic partner or family for herself. She kept herself busy, married to her work. She recalled the conversation they had yesterday again, letting it play in her mind. She looked at the community as her family. Still, it wasn’t the same, was it?

Lowering herself down on a memorial bench looking over the water she let out a sigh. Not that she didn’t have the opportunity for romance. She certainly did. There was someone a long time ago. An almost happily ever after. But when her dad got sick she switched gears to taking care of her mother and fulfilling her father’s long lost dream of owning a place of his own.

“Henry,” she whispered his name, feeling it rest on her lips. It was a long long time since she even thought of him. She wondered where he was now. She silently sent him happiness. He was a good man, she just wasn’t ready for that kind of life. Never believing that Prince Charming was going to ride in and save her, she did her own saving. She wasn’t sorry for it, either.

Years of speculation left everyone wondering how she didn’t have her own love story, especially after all her matchmaking success in the Landings. She never spoke of Henry or her personal heartbreak. Instead she just looked to the future. Each day is a new opportunity for happiness and personal growth. Hmm, her mind wandered to Mitch. He was a mystery. Witty and sharp. Handsome, too. She couldn’t deny she felt pulled to him. But to what end? They were both focused on their perspective lives. She didn’t see anything happening there other than a good friendship, perhaps.

“Is this seat taken?” A soft voice startled her as she looked over to see Mitch standing next to the bench.

“Please,” her hand patted the seat. “It’s a beautiful morning.” Her heart felt like it was racing. How long was he standing there? What was he even doing there? “You’re up early?” She asked, hoping he would fill in the blanks.

“We are starting the foundation today. I like to get to the job early.” He smiled proudly, looking across the water. “My crew isn’t here yet, so I figured I’d come down and soak in a few minutes of sunshine. I see you beat me to it.”

“Well, great minds think alike,” she laughed at the coincidence of them arriving to the same bench. Checking her smartwatch she saw it was nearly seven. “What time will your guys be there?”

Checking his own watch he answered, “in the next thirty minutes. They had an issue with the trailer, so they are slightly behind today.” Clearing his throat, he remembered she was managing this project. “I promise that isn’t normal. We will be right on track with the project timeline.”

Smiling she patted his arm with her hand, “I am sure you will.” Before standing up.

“Was it something I said?” He joked at her leaving when he arrived.

“Just need to finish my walk so I can start my day.” Before turning to leave, she had a thought, “care to join me?”

He wasn’t sure the last time anyone asked him to walk with them. “That would be nice, thank you,” he answered politely. She struck him as the polite type. She had manners and etiquette that he didn’t want to offend. “I have to tell you that I normally only walk Dozer,” he started as they stepped onto the tree-lined Main Street. “It’s nice.”

“You look like you work out plenty,” her cheeks blushed the moment the words left her mouth. Did she really just say that? “I just mean…” she trailed off, not sure what she meant.

Holding back a smile, he nodded, “I do. Weights in the gym mostly. Some cardio. I like to stay fit.” He hoped it didn’t bore her. He could talk about workouts all day. “You are in great shape, too. I hope you don’t mind me saying.” He complimented her.

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