Page 19 of Dart to Me
“My life in the city became... complicated.”
Ellie studies my face, and I can see she senses there’s more. But instead of pushing, she simply nods.
“Well, I’m glad whatever complications brought you here,” she says, slipping her hand into mine.
Her touch is warm, grounding. Maybe I don’t have to keep running. Maybe, just maybe, Lawson Ridge could be more than just a hiding place.
“There’s a lookout point just up this hill,” Ellie says, pointing to a path that veers off from the main street. “You can see the whole town from there. It’s kind of my favorite spot.”
“Lead the way,” I tell her, giving her hand a gentle squeeze.
The path winds up through a small wooded area, the tree branches forming a canopy above us. Crickets chirp in the underbrush, and somewhere in the distance, an owl hoots.
“Watch your step here,” she warns as we navigate around some exposed roots.
When we emerge from the trees, I’m stunned by the view. Lawson Ridge spreads out below us.
“Wow,” I whisper, not wanting to break the magic of the moment.
“I come here when I need to think,” Ellie says, her voice equally soft. “Something about seeing everything from up here puts my problems in perspective.”
I turn to look at her. “Thank you for sharing this with me.”
She meets my gaze, and there’s an intensity in her eyes that makes my heart race. “I don’t bring just anyone here.”
The weight of her words isn’t lost on me. This woman is trusting me with something special, something personal. And here I am, holding back the truth about myself.
“Ellie, I—” I start, then falter. “There are things about me, about why I came here...”
She places a finger on my lips, stopping me. “We all have our stories. Tell me when you’re ready, not because you feel you have to.”
Relief washes over me. I wrap my arms around her, pulling her close. She nestles against my chest as if she belongs there, and maybe she does.
“For now,” she murmurs against my shirt, “can we just enjoy this?”
I kiss the top of her head, breathing in the scent of her shampoo. “Absolutely.”
We stand there for what feels like hours, though it’s probably only minutes, just holding each other as the town glows beneath us. There’s something so perfect about this moment—something I didn’t think I deserved after everything that happened back in Houston.
“Hungry?” I finally ask, breaking our comfortable silence.
“Starving,” she admits with a small laugh. “Diner is close.”
“Perfect.”
When we walk inside, everyone is staring.
“Well, look who’s here! And with a handsome stranger, no less.” Dottie’s eyes twinkle as she looks me over. “You must be the new guy in town?”
“Word travels fast,” I say, extending my hand. “I’m Julian.”
“Honey, in Lawson Ridge, if you sneeze on Main Street, someone’s offering you a tissue before you can say ‘excuse me.’” She winks at Ellie. “Your usual booth is open.”
As we slide into the booth, I can’t help but feel like I’m being evaluated by everyone in the diner. Not in a threatening way, but in that curious small-town way that reminds me just how much I stick out here.
“Sorry about that,” Ellie says, noticing my discomfort. “You’re big news in a small pond.”
“It’s fine,” I assure her, though part of me wonders if being noticeable is the opposite of what I need right now. “Just not used to it.”
