Page 7 of The Wedding Ranch
“Why don’t you come with me tomorrow? Do you and Bobby have plans?”
“He’ll be golfing. Count me in.”
“It’s only an hour drive. I’ll see if they still have the model homes open, or if anything is for sale down there. Want to plan on leaving around ten?”
“I’ll meet you at your house,” Pam said. “I’m sorry it worked out this way, but at least there won’t be any more wondering.”
“Yeah, and I forgive him. I had a happy six months, eversince Craig brought Mister home. It seemed like he was trying to make things work. It was a relief to feel that way. Maybe that’s why I’m so calm. Or maybe I’ll fall apart tomorrow. It could happen. Just warning you.”
“That’s fine,” Pam assured her. “I’ll be there and we’ll get through it.”
The next morning, Lorri and Pam drove down to Dalton Mill. “I am still shocked. Every time it replays in my mind, I just shake my head.”
“You are remarkably calm. Are you really as at peace with this as you seem?”
“I think I am.” She looked over toward Pam. “I guess that year of second-guessing kind of prepared me for this. And Mister took me off that roller coaster and let me get some life balance. At first, I felt so betrayed. Especially after giving him another chance, but then I realized that what had been making me so happy wasn’t Craig. It was Mister and the changes that I’d made in my life since Valentine’s Day.”
“You have found a better balance in your life between work, play, and family.”
It was an easy drive right down I-95. They took the exit and drove down a long road with open fields on either side.
“It’s not all that far,” Pam said.
“Far enough to put the past behind me for a fresh start.” She leaned forward, looking at the GPS to get her bearings. “It should be up here to the right.”
“Look. A farmers market. That would be nice if it’s close by.”
There were more cars and people in that one spot thanthey’d seen since exiting the highway. Just past it a large sign readMILL CREEK HIGHLANDS.
“This is it.” Pam pointed to the sign. The entrance was wide, with extravagant landscaping in the middle making for a grand welcome. “It looks more upscale than I’d expected with it being five-acre lots and all.”
Lorri turned the car into the neighborhood. “I love the fancy streetlights.” The black poles stretched all the way down the street on both sides. Perfectly edged sidewalks made for a park-like setting.
“This is everything I dreamed of,” Lorri said as they slowly drove through the subdivision. The houses sat back off the road, but from here she noticed at least one yard with a horse and small barn in the back.
Pam raised a brow. “Five acres is a lot of grass to mow.”
“Mister would love all that space to run. I could have a garden, too.”
A few new homes were still under construction in the back.
Pam said, “Let’s look at the model home.”
Lorri didn’t hesitate to turn around. Slowing to a stop in front of the model, she glanced over at Pam. “It’s really cute, isn’t it?”
“I wouldn’t say ‘cute.’ It’s beautiful.”
“And the neighborhood is surprisingly affordably priced.”
“Yeah, I wonder if that’s just because we’re out in the middle of nowhere, or they shortcut things on the inside?”
“Good point. We’ll know in a minute.” Lorri parked her car in the driveway of the model. “Here goes nothing.”
As they opened the door a young woman greeted them. “Hi.Welcome to Dalton Mill.” She handed them a brochure. “We only have a couple of lots left here, but we’re also starting a project about thirty miles from here with the same concept. Also, breaking news: this model is going on the market tomorrow.” She pressed a finger to her lips. “You’re the first to hear.”
“Thank you.”
Pam leaned in as they walked away from the lady. “How about that? Fate, perhaps?”
