Page 12 of Crossroads of Love

“I hope you’re right.”

And at the same time, a small part of me wants to see that gorgeous face again.

I close my eyes and blow out a breath.

Stop thinking about that man.

Before I can take another sip, a familiar voice cuts through the air, and I inwardly groan.

“Well, if it isn’t Lena Marshall, the prettiest widow in town.” Hank Riggs leans against our booth with a smirk he must think is charming. “You still not ready for a real man to take you out?”

Tatum hides her chuckle behind her hand, and I force a smile. “Hi, Hank.”

“You know, I have some new land I just bought up near the lake,” he announces, completely ignoring my tone. “Would love to show it to you sometime. Nice private spot. Perfect for a picnic.”

And to hide a few bodies.

Aaron always thought this man had a screw loose and that one day he’d find missing women out there.

“Hank, if that’s the same plot of land you bought a few years ago,” Tatum interjects with a grin, “isn’t it underwater now?”

His smirk falters, and he scratches the back of his neck. “Well, it’s still a good spot when it’s not raining.”

“Lena, sweetheart!” Mrs. Emerson, one of the town’s most well-meaning but meddlesome elders, appears at our table, beaming. “I was just telling my son, Roy, that you’d make the perfect couple! Now, don’t be shy, dear. He’s such a catch.”

Roy Emerson is fifty, balding, and lives in his mother’s basement. Not exactly the “catch” she thinks he is.

Why does everyone think I need a man in my life? I have too much on my plate as it is.

“Oh, Mrs. Emerson, you’re too kind.” I giggle. “But I think Roy and I are better as friends.”

“Nonsense! You just need to give him a chance.” She leans in, lowering her voice like she’s sharing a secret. “I know it’s hard to move on after having such a good marriage with Aaron. But my boy’s got such good manners, you know. Unlike some people in this town, he never interrupts me when I’m talking.”

This whole town was so blind to what my marriage actually was.

I glance at Tatum, who is trying and failing not to burst out laughing. I offer Mrs. Emerson a kind smile. “I’ll keep that in mind. Thank you.”

“Oh, I know you will, dear.”

She pats my shoulder and finally, mercifully, moves on to another unsuspecting table.

The second she’s out of earshot, Tatum snorts. “I swear, this town is going to marry you off to someone whether you like it or not.”

“As long as it’s not Hank or Roy,” I mutter, taking a long drink of my wine.

“Don’t worry. I’ll fend them off for you.”

“I like a…strong man, one who takes care of himself while also not taking shit from anyone. A motivated man who’s not whiny.”

“You better start shopping outside of Hicks Creek for that one.” She laughs hard. “It’s just a bunch of mama’s boys up here.”

“Couldn’t be any worse than my marriage to Aaron,” I mumble.

Tatum reaches over and squeezes my hand just as two elderly men, Ed and Harvey, shuffle up to our table, both red-faced and huffing.

“Mayor Marshall, you need to settle something,” Ed demands, folding his arms. “Harvey here thinks that damnmaple tree on Maple Street is his. But we all know it’s on my property.”

“Oh, for crying out loud, Ed,” Harvey shoots back. “You don’t even live on Maple Street anymore!”

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