me out of this blue funk.
When my cell phone rang, it startled me to the point that I jumped. I reached for it but didn’t recognize the number.
“Hello,” I said tentatively.
“Jo Marie? It’s Greg from the party. Karen gave me your number. I hope you don’t mind my calling you.”
“Greg…Hi.” I did my best to sound pleased to hear from him. I made a determined effort to hide the turmoil churning inside of me.
“I had a great time over the Fourth.”
“I did, too.” It seemed like the holiday had been light-years earlier, yet it’d been only a day. That didn’t seem possible. Twenty-four hours and it felt as if a year had passed.
“I wanted to connect and let you know that I really enjoyed meeting you,” Greg said.
“Thanks. It was a fun day.” And it had been, although there was little to celebrate now.
“I was wondering if you’d like to get together again,” Greg said.
His invitation shouldn’t have surprised me, but it did. I hesitated, unsure what to tell him.
The silence felt awkward and uncomfortable as I wrestled with how best to respond. My head spun. Mark hadn’t made me any promises. He’d done everything within his power to tell me he wasn’t coming back, despite the few times I’d heard from him. That had been weeks ago now.
Weeks and weeks.
He hadn’t made it across the border or made it to the rendezvous point.
“Karen told me you’re a widow. I don’t know if anyone mentioned that my wife died nearly four years ago.”
No one had said anything. Four years. About the same time as Paul.
“I haven’t dated much since, and I have to tell you I’m more than a little nervous about this. If you’re not ready, I understand.”
“I’m ready,” I blurted out, my decision made. “I’d enjoy seeing you again.”
We talked for nearly an hour. Greg was a great conversationalist, and when we disconnected I felt better than I had all night.
It was time to let go, really let go this time, and move forward.
I was concerned about Jo Marie. She’d been withdrawn and quiet all through dinner, hardly saying a word. She’d picked at her food, too, showing no interest in the blackened chicken Caesar salad, a meal I knew she’d enjoyed in the past. Almost immediately after dinner, she excused herself and escaped into her room.
Later, when I came downstairs to check on her, I found her in better spirits. I’d heard the phone ring and hoped that whoever she’d spoken to had helped her process whatever it was that her visitor had said that upset her. Seeing that her mood was lighter, I didn’t feel the need to suggest we have tea and a chat. I respected her privacy, but if she needed a willing ear, then I was there for her.
Reassured that Jo Marie was fine, I returned to my room and read until nearly midnight, caught up in a story. Because the room felt stuffy even with air-conditioning, I cracked open the window. Right away a cool breeze swayed through the third-story room. When I turned my light off, my brain was full of the story I’d been devouring. Over the summer months, I try to read as much as possible because it’s difficult to find the time during the school year. While in college I’d gotten hooked on romances and contemporary women’s fiction. However, love stories with happy endings depressed me these days, seeing that I didn’t have one of my own and most likely never would. Lately, I’d really been into mysteries, which seemed a better fit, not that I was looking to murder anyone. The plots were interesting and I enjoyed the challenge of identifying the guilty party.
My life felt like an ongoing challenge. My house hunt had been less than satisfactory. Even my real estate agent was growing impatient with me, and I didn’t blame her. What I needed and wanted were inconsistent. The only thing I could tell Dana was that I’d know the right house when I saw it. I appreciated her efforts but feared my heart was stuck on the house with the orchard, the one where Nick Schwartz currently lived.
By nature I’m a light sleeper, but I was deeply involved in my dream when I stirred at the sound of a dog barking. Even in my sleep I recognized that bark—Elvis. It didn’t seem possible that Elvis was outside the inn. Not at this time of the night. My eyes flew open and I glanced at