Page 44 of Sometimes You Stay

She did not need to fall more in love with those ridiculous dogs either.

Taking a step back toward the inn, she caught sight of the boxy white house across the street. It was simple but clean, its porch nearly an invitation to come over and enjoy the shade, sipping a tall glass of iced tea.

Cretia took several steps in that direction before she even realized it. By then, she could see the small add-on to the end of the barn—the store with the Open sign. Mama Cheese Sandwich’s shop.

Picking up her speed, she hurried across the street and down the dirt lane. The wooden door easily swung open and set off a loud moo, which set off her own laughter.

“I’ll be right there!” called a voice from the far side of a curtained doorway.

“No rush,” Cretia said.

The room was small and simple, white shiplap covering all four walls. The far left corner boasted three round tables, each with two chairs and plenty of scars on their wooden tops. Shelves beside the table held loaves of bread and bags of rolls. Even in their wrappings, they smelled rich and fresh. A large display case and planked countertop dominated the opposite wall. Wheels of cheese in varying shades of yellow and cream sat behind the glass.

She felt like a child pressing her hand to the case, but the memory of this gooey cheese grilled on a lovely sourdough set her tongue to tingling. It hadn’t been gourmet orMichelin-star rated. And maybe it sounded cheesy, but it had been made with love. Or, if not love, at least affection and concern. She had been able to taste those in every meal from Marie’s kitchen.

The black curtain in the corner of the room twitched as a woman with gray hair and a quick step walked through. She wore a blue apron and a wide smile. “Welcome to Kane Dairy.”

Before Cretia even knew what she was saying, the nickname popped out. “You’re Mama Cheese Sandwich.”

Somehow the woman’s smile grew even brighter, nearly glowing even in the morning sunlight coming through the large windows. “I haven’t heard that name in a little while,” she said around a chuckle.

“Oh, I’m sorry.” Cretia tugged on the hem of her red shirt as she searched for the memory of her name. “Is it Mrs. Kane?”

“Not anymore.” There was a note of sadness in her voice, and the light in her pale eyes dimmed. “It’s Mrs. Grady now.” She waved her left hand, and a modest diamond sparkled on her ring finger. “But the kids around here still call me Mama Kane because the dairy’s name hasn’t changed. But you ... you may call me Kathleen. Or Mama Cheese Sandwich if you prefer.”

Cretia dipped her chin in understanding. Before she could introduce herself, Kathleen continued on.

“You must be our visitor staying at the inn. Finn’s friend.”

Heat soared up her neck and settled into her cheeks as she managed another quick nod. She wasn’t afraid of being in the spotlight, but she’d already spent years being the person talked about behind her back. The one herclassmates suddenly stopped whispering about when she entered a room.

At least she had known what they were saying. Her clothes were always dirty. She lived in a pigsty. Her mother wasn’t right.

They hadn’t been wrong.

But knowing that her name and something of her story were being whispered among the residents of North Rustico was different. She didn’t know what truth or lies they were spreading. Or what people thought of her.

Or what Finn said when he spoke of her.

Or even ifhewas the one talking about her.

Her stomach twisted harshly, and she stumbled a step back, reaching for the door handle behind her. “It was nice to—”

“Please don’t go.” Kathleen rushed forward and grabbed her free hand. “I have a new cheese that I could use an opinion on. Will you try it with me?”

Cretia fully intended to refuse the offer, but her stomach had other plans, loudly protesting that she’d skipped breakfast.

“I’ll take that as a yes.” Kathleen beamed, gently tugging her toward the tables. “Please have a seat.”

Without much of a choice, Cretia slid into one of the wooden chairs as Kathleen produced the snack of all snacks—a charcuterie board of rich orange cheese slices, various crackers, bunches of red and green grapes, and dried berries.

“I’m sorry, are you expecting someone?” There was no way this woman had prepared this for only herself. And she couldn’t have known Cretia would end up here.

Kathleen lifted her round shoulder but shook her head.“It was a slow morning, and my daughter-in-law has been stopping by lately. I thought I’d be ready just in case—but you’ll be a better judge of the cheese. Impartial.” The last word came with a decisive nod. “Natalie is married to a dairy farmer, so I can’t count on her to be unbiased.”

Cretia chuckled as Kathleen pushed the board closer to her. “I might be too hungry to give you an honest opinion too. How do you know you can trust me?”

“Marie has said such wonderful things about you. She loves having you at the inn.”

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