Page 2 of Forever In Willow Creek

She had been in Willow Creek for less than 24 hours, but already, the place felt like a world away from Chicago. The constant noise, the honking of cars, the hurried footfalls of pedestrians, none of them existed here. The only sound she could hear was the distant chirp of birds outside and the faint rustle of trees in the breeze.

It was peaceful. Too quiet.

Zoe sighed and stretched, swinging her feet off the side of the bed. The hardwood floor was cold beneath her feet, but she didn’t mind. She needed this. She needed to feel something other than stress, burnout, and the overwhelming pressure of her job.

Her phone was on the nightstand, and she could feel the urge to check her emails, to catch up on what she’d missed in just a day. But instead, she ignored it. She had come here to disconnect, to get some clarity. No more work distractions.

After a quick shower, Zoe decided to take a walk around the town. The weather was beautiful—bright and clear—and the streets of Willow Creek seemed to vibrate with quiet energy. People were out and about, some heading into the local bakery, others walking their dogs or chatting with neighbors. It was thekind of town where everyone knew everyone, and the slow pace of life felt like a balm for her weary soul.

Zoe strolled through the town square, admiring the flowers in the gardens lining the sidewalks and the rustic lure of the old storefronts. It was hard to imagine that a place like this could exist so close to the modern commotion she was used to.

She found herself outside the Diner—Penny’s Place—a small, no-frills restaurant that had a handwritten sign in the window that read, Best Apple Pie in Willow Creek.

Zoe hesitated for a moment, wondering if she was brave enough to go inside. She hadn’t come here to socialize. But the soft buzz of conversation inside drew her in, and she found herself stepping over the threshold without thinking twice.

The bell above the door jingled as she entered, and the inviting, familiar scent of frying bacon and brewing coffee filled her senses. The place was cozy, with mismatched tables and a long counter along the far wall. A few locals were seated in booths, talking in low voices, while an older woman behind the counter smiled kindly at Zoe.

“Well, well, look who’s new to town,” the woman said, her eyes twinkling. “I’m Penny. You’re Zoe, right? I heard you just moved into that little cottage on the edge of town.”

Zoe nodded, her lips curving into a polite smile. “Yes, that’s me. Just arrived yesterday.”

Penny motioned to an empty seat at the counter. “Well, come on in, honey. You need coffee. Everyone does, especially on their first morning in Willow Creek.”

Zoe hesitated for only a second before she sat down. “Sure, why not?”

The woman busied herself behind the counter, pouring coffee from a pot into a mug before setting it in front of Zoe. “The first cup is on me. This town’s full of people who like to take their time. But don’t worry, you’ll get used to it. Might take a little while.”

Zoe chuckled softly, stirring her coffee. “I’m sure I will.”

“Good. Now, I’m guessing you haven’t had breakfast yet?” Penny grinned. “I make a mean breakfast burrito. You hungry?”

Zoe thought for a moment, then smiled. “Yeah, that sounds great.”

As Penny prepared her food, Zoe glanced around at the diner, noticing that there were no strangers here—everyone seemed to know each other. And there, at the back corner booth, she saw him: Luke Harrison.

He was sitting with a group of men, laughing as one of them told a story. The sound of his laugh carried across the diner, and Zoe couldn’t help but smile at the way he looked so at ease, so effortlessly part of the town.

Luke noticed her staring and gave a small, amused smile before returning his attention to the group. Zoe quickly looked down at her coffee, feeling her face flush.

“You’ll get used to him too,” Penny said with a knowing grin, setting the breakfast burrito in front of Zoe. “Luke’s a good guy. Hard-working, always willing to lend a hand. You should stop by his shop sometime. He’s always tinkering with something.”

Zoe took a bite of the burrito, savoring the mix of eggs, cheese, and bacon. It was delicious, hearty, and exactly what she needed. “He seems nice.”

“Oh, he is. But he’s been through some things. Hard to get him to open up about it, but the man has got a good heart. If you’re thinking about sticking around, Willow Creek’s the place where people really take care of each other.”

Zoe paused mid-bite, the words sinking in. “I’m not sure I’m staying for long. Just here to figure some things out.”

Penny’s expression softened, her gaze understanding. “Take your time, honey. There’s no rush. The town isn’t going anywhere, and neither is Luke. You just have to decide what’s best for you.”

Zoe nodded slowly, unsure of what exactly she was looking for in this town. But Penny’s words settled somewhere deep inside her. She recognized that it wasn’t about having all the answers right away. Maybe it was about letting things unfold naturally.

As she finished her breakfast, Zoe’s phone buzzed in her bag. She resisted the urge to check it but couldn’t help feeling the burden of her obligations pulling at her. Tomorrow, she promised herself. Tomorrow, I’ll deal with all of that.

She paid Penny for her meal, giving the woman a generous tip. “Thank you. The food was amazing.”

Penny waved her off. “Anytime, hon. And don’t forget, you’re always welcome here.”

Zoe stepped back outside, the sun was higher in the sky now, casting long shadows over the streets of Willow Creek. She didn’t know what was ahead, but for the first time in a long while, she felt like she could breathe.

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