“So stay here.”
Ella frowned. “What?”
“If there’s no reason for you to go home right away, why don’t you stay in Gracemont for longer? Since Gretchen moved in with Theo, I’ve also been living in a quiet, empty house. It’s been lovely having someone staying with me again. You’re still grieving, Ella, and I suspect you will be for a while. You don’t need to do that on your own.”
Thankfully, Edith didn’t ask why Ella was dealing with her pain alone or why she hadn’t seen her nephews, probably because she could tell just how fragile Ella was.
What Edith was offering truly felt like the answer to a prayer. Between losing Gigi, breaking things off with Silas, and dealing with Dad’s anger, she’d been an emotional wreck. It felt good to leave all that bad stuff behind and spend time with people who were kind and fun and generous.
“Are you sure?”
Edith’s smile widened when Ella’s question told her she was agreeing. “Absolutely. And if you don’t have enough clothes, we can go shopping or raid the Storm girls’ closets. They set Gretchen up with a decent wardrobe, since the poor girl arrived with only a few outfits after running from her horrible ex.”
Gretchen had shared her story with Ella last night, and two things had struck her at the time. One, Ella had been in awe of Gretchen’s ability to talk about such a painful topic. And two, she’d recognized the woman as a kindred spirit, and as someone she could become very good friends with. If only they didn’t live on opposite coasts.
“My wardrobe needs are pretty simple, considering I work from home. I might hop online later and buy a couple more loungewear sets. Writing is much easier when done in pajamas.”
Edith laughed. “Sounds like the best perk of the job.” The older woman rose. “Well, then, I’ll leave you to sort out the clothing and changing your flight, while I head into the kitchen to make us some egg salad for lunch.”
“You’re really sure you don’t mind?” Ella couldn’t help asking as she rose as well, grateful for the hug Edith gave her.
“Very sure. I’m delighted you’re staying. We’re going to have so much fun!”
Ella giggled softly, watching as Edith walked to the kitchen. Then she climbed the stairs to her room, hoping she’d made the right decision in staying. There were certainly pros and cons involved.
Ella had felt as if she was drowning at home, surrounded by all the things Gigi loved. The memories had been so strong and so painful, Ella had spent the majority of the past six months hunkered down in her bedroom, which also served as her office. She’d only left it to grab food from the kitchen that she ate at her desk, because sitting alone at the kitchen table where she’d always dined with Gigi was simply too unbearable.
Edith’s home was warm and welcoming, and Ella knew the words to her next book would flow in such a bright, inviting setting.
However, by staying, Ella would be trading one set of sad memories for another. Too many of her recollections of Gracemont involved Maverick. And while so many of those were truly wonderful, there were just as many painful ones.
Ella walked into her beautiful bedroom, crossing to the chaise by the window that had become her favorite spot in the house. Dropping down, she looked outside, watching the people and cars go by. Her attention was captured by two teenagers, clearly enjoying their summer break, walking hand in hand, looking at each other with the unmistakable expressions of young love. It took her back, fortunately to one of the happy memories.
“Maverick,”Ella said, looking over her shoulder nervously for the hundredth time since she’d snuck out the back door of the public library. “Maybe I should?—”
“Nope. You’re not going back. Ms. Pauley said it was fine for you to go out for lunch. You’re not working for a paycheck, just volunteering. You can come and go as you please,” he said, repeating what the dear librarian had just said when Maverick asked if it would be okay for him to take her out to lunch.
Ella didn’t mention that it wasn’t the librarian she was worried about. She consoled herself with the knowledge that her dad was at work in Leesburg and her mother was volunteering with Martha at church all day, so the odds of her getting caught were slim.
Ella grinned when Maverick opened the door to the truck he’d borrowed from his older brother, Levi. He was currently saving up to buy his own, but according to him, he still hada ways to go. Probably because, as she pointed out, he kept spending his money on her, always bringing her little trinkets or flowers or sweets.
“Your grandfather didn’t mind you leaving work?” she asked.
“While my family believes in chores, they also appreciate that we should be kids while wearekids. My dad’s most famous line is,” Maverick deepened his voice, mimicking his father, “there’s plenty of time to work when you’re old.”
They were currently at the beginning of their second week of summer vacation. Ella’s dad wouldn’t allow his daughters to work, but he refused to allow them to squander their time doing the things normal teens did when school was out, like hang out by the pool with friends. As such, they were both required to volunteer.
This was Ella’s third summer volunteering at the public library, something her dad would have put the kibosh on if he knew how happy she was working there. Mainly because there wasn’t a whole lot to do apart from shelving returns and the occasional dusting. So, she and Ms. Pauley spent a great deal of time sitting behind the circulation desk reading, and occasionally discussing their books.
“Your dad sounds nice,” Ella said, her gaze landing on a picnic basket she hadn’t seen when she first got in the truck. “Is that for us?”
“Yep,” Maverick replied. “We’re driving to the Shenandoah River and having a picnic.”
The fear she felt over her dad discovering her escape vanished. The idea of a picnic with Maverick was well worth the risk.
He cranked up the radio as they drove out of Gracemont and headed down Route 7, toward the river.
Once they arrived, Maverick found them a secluded spot along the shore, flipping open a folded blanket with a dramatic flourish. They dug into the chicken salad sandwiches Maverick’s mother had apparently made for everyone at the farm this morning.