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ecause we’ll say that the reports are wrong so often, there was no
way to know they’d be right this time. It just gives people
something to complain about.”
“Like the people in the grill?”
He nodded and grinned. “But they’re basically good people. For
the most part, they’re hardworking, honest, and as kind as the day
is long. Any one of them would have been glad to watch the store
for me if I’d asked, and they’d account for every penny. It’s like
that down here. Because deep down, everyone here knows that in
a small town like this, we all need one another. It’s great, even if it
did take some time for me to get used to it.”
“You’re not from here?”
“No. My wife was. I’m from Spokane. When I first moved here, I
remember thinking that there wasn’t a chance I’d ever stay in a
place like this. I mean, it’s a small Southern town that doesn’t care
what the rest of the world thinks. It takes a little getting used to, at
first. But then… it grows on you. It keeps me focused on what’s
important.”
Katie’s voice was soft. “What’s important?”
He shrugged. “Depends on the person, doesn’t it? But right now,
for me, it’s about my kids. This is home for them, and after what
they’ve been through, they need predictability. Kristen needs a
place to color and dress her dolls and Josh needs a place to fish,
and they both need to know that I’m around whenever they need
me. This place, and the store, gives them that, and right now,
that’s what I want. It’s what I need.”
He paused, feeling self-conscious about talking so much. “By the
way, where am I going, exactly?”
“Keep going straight. There’s a gravel road that you’ll have to
turn on. It’s a little bit past the curve.”