the lock of the cabin and let herself inside. She shut the door behind her and flopped onto the sofa in a lovesick daze, the lights of the Christmas tree sparkling like diamonds, surprised by the emotions she was feeling. She was falling hard and fast for the mysterious coffee shop owner, and there was no going back now.
Fifteen
On her way to the coffee shop the next morning, Lila rolled down her car window to greet Eleanor on her way out of the main drive. The old lady was in her rubber boots and big coat, holding the mail, one of the letters open in her hand. Her nose seemed too red to just be cold.
“Are you okay?”
Eleanor cleared her throat. “Oh, I’ll be fine, dear,” she said, fluffing the paper in the air with a huff. “Just office stuff. Where are you headed this early in the morning all by yourself?”
“I’m going to work at the coffee shop so Theo can finish fixing the plumbing in the cabin.”
“Ah,” she said, her voice quivering.
Lila got a quick look at the letter in Eleanor’s hands—some sort of overdue notice with a hefty dollar amount. “Are you really okay?”
“Yes, yes,” Eleanor said, waving her off. “Go. Theo’s waiting.”
Eleanor turned around and started back up the drive, giving Lila no other choice but to put her window up and continue to the coffee shop. As she drove toward the fields at the bottom of the hill, glancing at the horses’ winter turnout sheets strapped over them to shield them from the weather, Lila considered the paper she’d seen in Eleanor’s hand. Could she not pay the basic bills for the cabins? Were things really that bad?
She stopped and put the car into reverse, easing back up the driveway. Eleanor turned around when Lila cut the engine and got out of the car to walk over to her. “I can’t get on with my day until you tell me what’s going on.” She pulled out her phone.
“What are you doing?” Eleanor asked.
“I’m texting Theo to let him know that I’m going to be a little late.”
“Please don’t,” Eleanor said, nearly frantic. “I need the plumbing fixed right now.” She seemed completely panicked, the hand holding the mail trembling.
“We’re going inside and you’re going to tell me what’s happening.” Lila marched ahead of her while Eleanor stood still, as if her worry was causing her legs to stop working. Lila turned around. “You’d better come with me if you want me to get to the coffee shop so Theo can fix your pipes. I’m not leaving until I know you’re okay.”
With a resigned sigh, Eleanor followed her to the cabin.
When they got inside, Lila unwound her scarf and sat down on the sofa. Eleanor hung her coat on the hook by the door and joined her, tears filling her eyes. “I’m behind on my bills…” Her fingers shook when she rubbed her face, pressing down as if she could wipe the worry right off it.
“Is that what you had in your hand just now? An overdue bill?”
She nodded. “It’s the third notice… I’ve paid the minimums to keep the electric, gas and water on, but I don’t know how long I can continue.” She shook her hands in the air. “But it’s not your concern. This is your vacation. You need to be enjoying yourself instead of pressing an old woman to tell you about her aging resort issues.”
“Okay, look, don’t panic. Let me think about this for a little while. We’ll figure something out.”
“Oh, my dear, it’s too far gone. Thank you for trying, though.”
“Never say never.” And right then, she realized that she had a friend who needed her.
Theo was busy making a latte when she arrived, still thinking about Eleanor and her situation. When their eyes met, her stomach did somersaults and she couldn’t wait for him to finish with the customer so she could talk to him. She’d had such a wonderful time last night that she’d slept like a baby, barely even noticing the emptiness of the cabin. She’d gotten up, had a cup of coffee and some eggs, and she’d even spent a little extra time on her hair and makeup this morning.
“Hey,” he said, when she’d finished washing her hands in the kitchen. She smiled as she approached him, fumbling while trying to tie the apron behind her back. Theo turned her around and finished the bow. “So what happened with Eleanor?” He wiped down the espresso machine