been. I’ve taken particular pride in being one of the few people who can tell those two rascals apart. They’ve made it their mission in life to try to fool me, but I’m not having it.”
“I love that.”
“I love them. They’re good boys, like their brothers and their father and grandfather. The best people you’d ever want to know.”
“I’ve seen that for myself. I love their family.”
“Do you have a lot of family of your own?”
“A brother and sister who’re much older and my mom. I… I also have a daughter, Stella, who’s twelve.”
“That’s a lovely name.”
“I find myself wanting to spill my entire life story to you.”
“Oh, I wish you would. I love hearing about people and their lives.”
Amanda told her the story about Stella, Kelly, the request they’d made of Amanda and how excited she was to welcome her daughter into her life, even if her heart was breaking for her and Kelly. “It’s such a strange place to be in. Elated in the midst of someone else’s tragedy.”
“You’re not elated that her mother is dying, sweetheart. You’re elated that you get to have Stella in your life. Those are two very separate things.”
“I hate what they’re going through.”
“Of course you do.”
“It’s become clear to me, since the fire at the inn, that I suppressed all the emotions associated with Stella and stuffed them deep inside where they couldn’t hurt me every day.”
“I can’t say I blame you. Whatever it takes to survive something like that.”
Amanda nodded, feeling as if she’d known Mildred for years rather than an hour. “The fire shook me up. It made it impossible for me to keep everything buried anymore. Poor Landon has been such a saint, letting me weep all over him for days after the fire.”
“A few tears wouldn’t put a man like Landon off. He’s made of tougher stuff than that.”
“I’ve seen that for sure. He’s been the most amazing friend to me.”
“That’s such a wonderful place for two people to start. My Herman was my very best friend long before we ever became a couple. He was my best friend for the rest of his life. I still talk to him as if he’s here, and it always makes me feel better to tell him what’s in my heart. How does Landon feel about your daughter coming into your life?”
“He can’t wait to meet her.”
Mildred smiled. “That sounds like him.”
While Amanda took more notes, Mildred shared funny stories about people who’d worked for the store and some of the customers who’d come through their door.
Much later, Amanda glanced at the clock on Mildred’s stove, stunned to see the time. “We talked for so long!”
“Time flies when you’re having fun.”
“This was wonderful. I’m so glad we got to meet, and I can’t wait to write about you for the catalog. Did Lucy call about the photo? Isabella Coleman is going to take it this week.”
“She did, and I’m looking forward to seeing my Izzie.”
“Great. Thank you again for your time and your stories and the wisdom.”
Mildred got up to walk Amanda out. “It was my pleasure. I hope you’ll come by any time you need wisdom. As Elmer likes to say, that’s one thing we’ve got plenty of.”
Amanda hugged her at the door. “I’ll be back for more very soon.”
“I’ll be here. Any time. I wish you all the best with your sweet Stella. And I hope things work out for you and Landon. I like you for him.”
“You couldn’t pay me a higher compliment.” Fred might not yet be certain about her, but it was nice to know that Mildred was. “Could I ask a favor? Could you give me directions to the Christmas tree farm?”
“Of course.”
A few minutes later, Amanda was on her way out of town, her mind racing as she thought about Mildred and how she would tell her story for the catalog. Mildred had given her so much to think about—and not just for the story. What she said about making a happy life in a small town like Butler had really resonated with Amanda. Everything she needed was truly right there in Butler, which had begun to feel like home to her in a way that nowhere else ever had.
She took a couple of wrong turns but eventually found the tree farm and parked next to Landon’s black pickup truck. No one was around, but the doors to the barn were open, and in the distance, she heard the faint sound of a machine.