Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 73963 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 370(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73963 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 370(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
“Yes,” she says with a relieved nod. “And most everyone I know is originally from here, so they have that network in place. I just wanted to make sure I wasn’t going crazy.”
“You’re not,” I assure her and pat her shoulder. “And it does get easier.”
“Why don’t we go get some drinks or coffee or something sometime,” she asks. “I’ve been coming to your class for months. We’re friends.”
“Sure.” I reach into my bag and pull out a card. “My cell is on here. Just text me and we’ll set it up.”
“Awesome.” Nina grins and takes a step back. “I also might have some professional things to discuss with you. Pick your brain.”
“I’m always happy to have my brain plucked.” I wink and sling my bag over my shoulder, walking toward my car. “Have a good day, Nina.”
“See you!”
I climb in my Jeep and drive toward my house, which is just a couple miles away. Sometimes I walk to class, but I was running late this morning myself.
And I admit, I like the feel of the sun beating on me, the wind blowing through the Jeep as I drive.
After the long Montana winter, summer is just what the doctor ordered.
I’ve just stepped through my front door when my phone rings. I grin as I answer.
“Hey there.”
“Hi yourself.” Claire, my friend from back home, yawns in my ear. “Whatcha doing?”
“Just got home from class,” I reply as I brew some tea. “It sounds like you just woke up.”
“I did.” I can hear the smile in her voice.
“Does that mean someone just left?”
“He left awhile ago,” she says. “And I don’t think I’ll be seeing him again.”
“What’s wrong with this one?” I carry my tea out to my back patio and sit at my outdoor dining table. This spot is what sold me on renting this house. The trees and bushes are in bloom, making it feel like a magical garden.
“He moans weird,” she says, making me laugh. “Like an old man bending over to put on his socks.”
“Not sexy,” I agree.
“Too bad, too. He had a nice body. Ah well, there are about a billion more out there.”
“With nice bodies? Maybe not a billion.”
“You’re right. Are you dating a hot cowboy yet?”
I grin and trace the Drips & Sips logo on my mug. “No. It’s a small town, Claire. Not a lot to choose from.”
“So when are you going to move on to the next place? Or come home?”
I sigh, thinking it over. I don’t think I’ll ever move back to Chicago. Now that my grandma’s gone, I don’t have any family there, and Claire is my only tie to the city. I’ve been roaming around the country, living in my bucket list towns for the past five-plus years.
“I like it here,” I reply.
“You’ve been there longer than the others.”
“I know. I just realized this morning that it’s been almost two years. I like the community. I’m making friends.”
Claire scoffs in my ear.
“What was that for?”
“Fallon McCarthy, you don’t make friends. You make acquaintances. And even then, getting to know you isn’t easy.”
“I know,” I murmur. That’s the way it’s always been, my whole life. I’m an introvert. I enjoy my own company more than I like being with others. “People exhaust me.”
“Maybe that’s why you’re better in a small town,” she says. “Fewer people.”
“That’s definitely a plus,” I agree. “What are you doing today?”
“I’m going in to work for a bit.”
“On a Saturday?”
“Hey, you worked today.”
“For an hour. I don’t have any other classes today.”
“Well, I have some accounts to work on. What are you going to do with the rest of your day?”
“I think I’ll go on a short hike,” I reply. “It’s a beautiful day today.”
“Like, on the treadmill?” she asks. “A simulated hike?”
“No, city girl, a real hike. In the woods. On a path.”
“Do you, like, have hiking boots?”
I smile and tip back in my chair, enjoying my friend. “I have hiking shoes. They’re not boots.”
“Huh. Well, whatever floats your boat, my friend. Have a good day.”
“You, too.”
I hang up, go inside to rinse my mug and put on the hiking shoes that will need to be replaced soon, and drive across town to my favorite hiking trail.
One of the things I like best about Cunningham Falls is all of the outdoor activities here. There are miles and miles of hiking trails that the city keeps groomed and safe for hikers. Last week when I came to walk on this particular trail, it was closed due to mountain lion activity.
That gave me pause.
But I carry bear spray, and the only animal I’ve ever seen on the trail is deer.
Half-way up to the lookout point, I get a text from Nina.
Breakfast tomorrow? 9:00 at Ed’s?
I grin and type a quick reply.
Sure, see you then.
Claire’s right, I don’t easily make friends. I wouldn’t even consider Claire my best friend. She’s a close friend. But the sad thing is, she’s probably the best friend I have.