Page 8 of Quintessentially

That explains the strong aroma of maple syrup. My gaze meets Joyce’s. “Thank you, that was nice.”

“And a big glass of milk,” Joyce says. “Molly’s all set for her day at school.” She lifts the backpack. “I even packed her a lunch.”

I shake my head, talking to Molly, “You have lunch money on your card.”

“But I like Joyce’s food better.”

Joyce’s voice brims with laughter. “You can’t argue with a child with taste.”

Smiling, I look up at Joyce. At nearly sixty years old, she is as big of a part of Riverbend as Quintessential Treasures. “Thank you.”

“Same time tomorrow?” she asks.

“If you’re sure it’s okay.”

Joyce waves me off.

I reach for Molly’s hand. “Let’s get your teeth brushed, and then it’s time to get you to the school.”

“I want to ride the bus, Momma. Lori and Amber ride the bus.”

A month into the school year and Molly already has friends. That’s not really true. Molly has known Lori and Amber since they were all babies. Just as I know their mothers and fathers.

My lungs fill with air as I take a deep breath.

This is Molly’s first year of school, and if I am honest, I’m not ready for her independence. “How about,” I propose to my daughter, “I take you to school in the mornings, and I call the bus garage, and arrange for the bus to bring you here—to the store—each afternoon after school?”

Molly’s smile minus her bottom front teeth grows. “Yes.”

“Then it’s settled.” I peek out to the front storeroom after looking at my watch. Chloe’s pale expression catches me by surprise. “What happened?”

Chloe shakes her head and gestures toward the front windows that look out onto Main Street. “He’s here.”

I swallow as my stomach drops, and I hold tighter to Molly’s hand. “Here?”

Chloe nods. “I just saw him walk by. He turned and looked in the window, but I don’t think he saw me. I’d guess he’s headed to the diner.”

I turn to Joyce with the panicky feeling that comes with Dax’s presence. “If he asks...”

Her lips come together as she shakes her head. “Child, this is your town. We all have your back.”

I let out a long breath and turn back to Chloe. “You’re sure it was him?”

“Yeah, Kandi. I’d recognize that golden stare and solid body anywhere.”

“He hasn’t changed?” I ask. “Like maybe a beer belly or early-onset baldness?”

“My look was quick, but if you ask me from that peek if he’s changed, it’s only for the better.”

ChapterFour

Dax

Walking along Main Street takes me back to my years of visits. It’s as if I have two hometowns, Oakmont, the one where I lived and went to school outside Chicago, and also Riverbend. This is the kind of town that welcomes loved ones of loved ones. I never felt like an outsider here.

And yet it has been too long.

Now, I’m not sure about the reception I’ll receive.

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