Page 50 of The Hometown Legend

“It’s not sad to make plans. It looks like that’s what you’re doing.”

“I am,” she said insistently. “I’m working at leaving an impression.”

“Leaving an impression?”

“The other day when I went into the grocery store, John couldn’t remember my name. I have lived here since I was a kid. He couldn’t remember me. Because that’s how I am. Nobody remembers me. I’m not interesting, I’m not... I’m not trying to be whiny. But I just wanted to leave behind something bigger than myself. Like you.”

“I’m alegend,” he said. “You mentioned that in the notes.”

She cringed.

“Yes,” she said slowly.

“Rory, I...” He looked stunned just then, like he’d run out of words.

“What?”

“You put that you wanted to go from zero to legend. You’re not...nothing. Just because this town doesn’t see it.”

“I know,” she said, but the pinching in her chest called her a liar. “I mean, I mostly know. But when I come back home to visit, I just want the story to be different than it is now. I want to leave on a high note. I want...”

“You want a parade.”

“Kind of,” she said, her heart tripping over itself.

“I decided to move back here. To buy back the ranch. I have plans. A lot like you have plans to move to Boston. But I don’t know what to do about...me.” He cleared his throat. “I want to help you.”

She panicked a little just then. Her heart fluttering rapidly.

The kiss.

He wanted to help her.

He—

“Part of my endeavor with my ranch is going to be to lead hikes. If you want to climb a mountain, I’m the person to help you with that.”

“Oh!” She laughed. She couldn’t help herself. Because...of course he hadn’t meant with the kiss.

“And you want to go out,” he said.

Her mouth snapped shut. “Makeover dependent, but yes.”

“You don’t need a makeover,” he said.

His face was so serious then, something in his gaze hot, and she found she was having trouble breathing.

“I feel like...for the kind of going out I want to do...”

He nodded. “If you want to change how you look to fit in at the bar, that’s one thing. But don’t feel like you have to change because something is wrong with you.”

But there had to be something wrong.

“I’ll take you out,” he said. “I’m not going to be able to help you become the life of the party, though I vaguely remember it. And maybe...”

“If I’m with you, we’re going to attract attention.”

“That is true. But I... I need to get used to it, and you need to make a splash, so...seems like it’d help us both.”

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