but I talked myself into it,” Eleanor explained. “I’m getting too old to run this place. The state it was in when you got here explains it all. It might be better if I find somewhere small, where I can maybe get a dog and grow some plants on my porch. A simpler life. While I have a lot of memories here, it just makes sense for me now.”
A lump formed in Lila’s throat, her emotions surfacing out of nowhere. All at once, she felt the swell of sadness and panic at the same time. That was when she realized that if Eleanor sold Fireside Cabins, Lila’s newfound purpose would slide away, out of her grasp, and she’d be left with the same empty feeling she had back in Nashville. She’d quit her job, so she had no income. She’d given up her apartment, so she had no place to live. She’d spent all her savings, and even if Eleanor repaid her like she promised, it wasn’t enough to change Lila’s situation, or, if she were honest with herself, fulfill her. With Theo selling the coffee shop, and now Eleanor finding a new owner for Fireside Cabins, the comfortable little bubble Lila had just begun to create for herself—the only thing keeping her sane as her friends all went on with their lives—was about to pop. And where would that leave Lila?
“Are you all right, dear?” Eleanor asked.
Lila’s eyes filled with tears, beyond her control.
“Oh my goodness. You’re not okay,” Eleanor said, getting out of her chair and rushing over to Lila’s side. “Let’s go into the living room, dear. I’ll get the box of tissues.”
“I’m sorry,” Lila said. “I’m just emotional at the holidays.” There was no need to make Eleanor feel bad about her decision to sell.
“Tell me, dear. Why?” The old lady took her hand, pulling her up from her chair, and led her into the living room.
Lila plopped down on the sofa. “I don’t know where I belong. I’m so sorry! This is ridiculous.” She stood up to leave, unsure of where she was even going. “I should go,” Lila said. “Theo and his father are in my cabin right now.”
“Oh, how lovely,” Eleanor said, peeking out the window. “I thought William was on tour.”
“I guess not,” Lila replied. “I really should get back to them. I was just giving them some time alone.” The familiar feeling of not fitting anywhere swelled in her stomach. She wanted to get out of there and figure out what to do next, but she had nowhere to go, no one to really go to.
“You didn’t stay very long,” Eleanor said. “I feel like I’ve run you off.”
“You haven’t.”
Eleanor took her hand. “Tell me what’s gotten you so upset. Please.”
Lila bit her lip, trying to keep the tears at bay. “My friends are all busy these days. And I have no family; it’s just me. I’ve felt more myself here than I ever have before, but everything’s changing before I can even have enough time to process my feelings on it all, and I just don’t know what I’m supposed to be doing. I feel like I should be running this place with you, which makes no sense—I know. But it makes me whole. When I helped fix up the cabins, I had purpose and I enjoyed it. Now I don’t know what to do.”
Eleanor stared at her for the longest time. “That’s how I felt when I first saw this place. It called to me. I didn’t want to let it go because of that. I was too afraid that I wouldn’t know what I was supposed to do next. But the worry of trying to take care of it, and this place practically falling apart, consumed me so much that it just hit me that it might be time to let it go.” She patted Lila’s hand. “I’m sorry, dear. But someone will buy this place. Perhaps you could work for the new owner.”
“Maybe,” Lila said, a sinking feeling settling in her gut because she knew it wouldn’t be the same without Eleanor. Whatever her future, she knew now that Nashville—and Pinewood Hills—wasn’t in it. “Eleanor, could I borrow your car to go back to my apartment for a day or so? My lease is up, and I want to pack some things and get them into boxes. I’m not sure where I’ll go, but I won’t be living in my apartment anymore, I know that much.”
“Of course,