“I appreciate that, thank you,” Dot said. And then, out of respect for the candidate’s time, decided it was time to wrap it up. “Is there anything else I can do for you?”
“Just help us win, Dot. Keep up the good work. Oh, and, if you happen to have a chance to be loved—don’t pass it up.”
Dot tucked that advice into her pocket. “Thank you, ma’am. We’re pulling out all the stops for you in Wisconsin. Don’t worry!”
“I’m not worried.” She winked, flexed like Rosie the Riveter, and waved goodbye.
Dot sat for a while thinking about what she’d said. And while Lopez’s advice made her feel a little smarter, it left her with more questions than answers.
Could she and Danny stay together and have a long-distance relationship? Would he move to the city? How could he? His entire life was here. His business was here. And she didn’t even have a job in Wisconsin. Not to mention she couldn’t imagine living anywhere but New York.
Plus, was she falling inlovewith Danny? What would her friends think if she didn’t go back to New York? How could she stay here without a job? How could she ever choose... and what if she didn’t have a choice?
Her mind was jumbled, and she leapt from thought to thought. She felt her next set of decisions were big ones—it would matter. She needed to figure out what she would like to do, who she was, and most important, who she wanted to be.
Chapter 59
After Labor Day, Dot worked from early in the morning to late at night every day, even weekends.
When she could get away, she and Danny ate dinner together, met at Cocoa and Cabernet for dessert, or went for a run up to the covered bridge and back. She appreciated that he was supportive of her work and didn’t complain or tell her she was working too much.
“I run my own business—I get it,” he reassured her that he understood.
Dot spent the night at his house on weekends, enjoying the privacy they could share together there. Mary and Harper continued their romances with Jake and Tommy, so no one was left home alone. But their time in Cedar Falls was running out.
One morning, when all the kids were back in school and the air was a bit cooler, Dot was tying the belt to her trusty Manhattan trench coat before she left for the office. She opened the door and there was Danny on the sidewalk, holding two cups of coffee from Flour Power.
“Good morning,” he said, freshly shaved and wearing his Carhartt jacket and blue jeans. “Stopped by Mimi’s for these.”
“What a nice surprise,” she said. “I didn’t expect to see you this morning.”
“I thought I’d walk you to work before going to my site today.” Danny was remodeling another house on the outskirts of town. “I parked by the bookshop and will head out after I drop you off.”
She reached for the coffee and kissed him good morning. “Well, you already made my day and it’s not even eight yet!”
“I’m glad you think so.” He tapped her nose. “I love seeing your face in the morning.” He had a way of making her feel special. And he got over his shyness when he was around her. “I missed you last night.”
“Same. I couldn’t sleep.”
“Well, maybe we can fix that tonight.”
“I’m not sure that will entail sleep.”
“Good point.” He kissed her, and they held hands as they walked to Main Street together, sipping their hot coffees, the early autumn air fresh and chilly. The leaves on the trees were turning from green to bright red, orange, and yellow. How was it already fall? The months had flown by.
“Are you still able to go to the Packers’ game this weekend?” He knew her schedule was tough heading into the last month before the election.
“I wouldn’t miss it. Mary’s already planning her outfit,” she said.
“The tailgate is going to be a blast. Our seats are great.”
“I can’t wait. My dad is filled with envy. He’s always wanted to go to Lambeau Field, even though he’s a big Patriots fan.”
As they arrived at the Democratic offices, Dot stopped short of the door. “Oh no!”
The large front window of the offices had been smashed, a huge hole in the center of the glass.
“Why don’t you call Jake—see if he can come over right away. And I’ll go in first to see if anyone’s in there,” Danny said. Dot hurriedly unlocked the door, and Danny pushed it open to take a quick look around.