Page 91 of Blindly Yours

“It’s for the grill,” he interjects. “Customer count has really tanked over the last year.”

I deflate. “I had no idea, Rod. I thought you were doing well…and the blizzard party…giving food out for free… You should have said something.”

He waves me off, but truly, he looks concerned. “Didn’t want to worry you. I want to serve the community more than anything else. But unfortunately, the community is aging, and their kids are moving into the city. This generation is different.”

I’m having a hard time wrapping my mind around this becauseNelson’sis like home to me. I eat there at least twice a week, and I can’t imagine seeing it crumble. All the locals love it, but he’s right, they’re getting older, and if their children don’t stay, there will be no customers left.

“How bad is it?” I ask hesitantly.

He sighs and wipes his hand across his mouth. “With this loan,” he holds up his folder, “I’ve got about four months to figure out how to turn things around.”

“Rod…” I exhale. “Is there anything I can do?”

He pats me on the back and manages a smile. “Just keep being my best customer.” As he turns away, he shrugs. “Maybe spread the word, if you can.”

And then he strolls toward the door and exits onto the street, leaving me numb, heartbroken, and afraid for the small town I love so much.

***

When I arrive at Rose’s apartment and she opens the door, I’m struck by her change in appearance. She’s wearing jeans and a green plaid flannel shirt, her hair is pulled up into a high ponytail, and instead of heels, she’s put on a pair of hiking boots. They don’t have a speck of dirt on them, so they must be brand new.

She meets my gaze and immediately frowns. “What’s wrong?”

Apparently, I’m not hard to read. I shove my hands in my pockets. “I just ran into Rod Nelson at the bank.”

“From the blizzard party?” she clarifies, stepping back so I can enter.

“Yeah, turns out his restaurant is about to go under.” I make my way into the kitchen. “He was taking out a loan to try to stay afloat for a few more months.”

“That’s horrible. I thought you said he was doing well?” She tilts her head and regards me with genuine sympathy.

I lean against the counter and sigh. “I thought he was. I honestly had no idea, but apparently, he’s just not seeing as many customers as he used to.”

“The few of his generation left in town are aging out.” She nails it so easily I wonder if she somehow read my mind.

“Yeah, exactly that, actually. And the younger ones are moving into the city.”

She nods as she reaches into the fridge and pulls out two bottles of water. She passes me one. “Some of my clients own businesses outside of the city. I see this a lot.” She crosses her arms and studies me. “But you’re still there. I’m sure there are other young people like you who prefer to be out in the country.”

I cross my arms and eye her cautiously. “Wouldyouever move out that way?”

She lifts a shoulder and looks away. “Well, I grew up in the city, so it’s what I know.” She focuses on the large window at the far side of the kitchen. It looks out on another building directly across the street. And when I don’t say anything, she shifts her gaze slowly back to mine. She knows my question holds a second meaning, so she shrugs again. “I haven’t spent enough time out there to really know. I’m always going to want to work in the city.”

“Well, I work in the city most days,” I clarify. “I could see myself moving a little closer someday, maybe. But not downtown.” I’m firm in that decision, and she should know that. If Kara weren’t in the equation, maybe I could be swayed, but I don’t want her growing up surrounded by concrete and glass. I want her to play in wide-open spaces, roll around in the grass, and raise her chickens. Amber wanted that for her too. And yeah, that still matters.

Rose nods slowly like she’s trying to digest what I’ve said and roll it around in her own mind to decide if it’s something she can live with. It takes a moment, but eventually, she smiles slightly. “When I was little, I always wanted a big backyard to myself. I wondered what it would be like to walk right outside and play whenever I wanted to. Whenever my family drove out of the city, I would press my face against the window and watch the tiny houses fly by. I thought it was so cool that every family had their own building all to themselves. They didn’t have to share.”

I return her smile. “And Kara is desperate to know what it would be like to live in one of these big shiny skyscrapers.”

“After about a week, she would hate it,” Rose laughs as she picks up her bag and loops it over her shoulder. “She’s one of the lucky kids.”

I step toward her, hook my fingers under the strap, and toss it over my shoulder instead. “So, are you ready for a weekend by the lake? In one of thosetiny houseswe don’t have to share with anyone?”

She grins and takes my hand in hers. “So ready.”

TWENTY-ONE

Rose

---