“Clearly.”
As she climbed into the truck, he eyed her purse and her small bag.
“Is that all you have?”
“I’m not staying long,” she replied.
“You might be staying longer than you realize.” His words put a chill in her blood.
She must’ve been making a face because he immediately started laughing.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t realize how creepy that sounded until I said it. What I mean is, it might take a few days to get your car back in shape.”
“Oh,” Holly said, relieved. “Yeah, you have a point.”
Johnny started up his truck, which sounded like a small jet rather than a car. He pulled a quick U-turn in the middle of the road. Impressive, with the roads so slick.
Holly watched the trees grow taller and thicker as they drove toward Silver Spruce. As they drove in silence, she envisioned the letter in her purse.
My darling granddaughter,
I bet you don’t remember me. I should’ve made more of an effort to be in your life. I apologize for not doing better. Someday soon, you’ll understand why it had to be that way. This will come as a surprise to you, but I’m giving you my home. You only saw it once, when you were six, but I think you liked it.
You can sell it if you want, but I don’t think you will. I know that might sound odd, but I have a way of knowing these things. It’s one of the perks of living past your ninetieth birthday.
The town of Silver Spruce is unlike any other place in the world. I’m sure it’ll draw you in just as it did me.
The house, affectionally called Moonrise Manor by the locals, is special just like you. It’s hard to explain in writing, but you’ll know what I mean as soon as you get there.
I’d tell you more, but I’m afraid you’ll think I’ve gone senile and dismiss the contents of this letter. You’ll understand everything soon enough. Be brave. Be smart. Be strong. I’m not likely to see you again.
All my love,
Pearl
CHAPTER TWO - Holly
The town of Silver Spruce literally had a Main Street. Holly didn’t think towns still had roads called Main Street anymore. That only existed in TV shows set in quintessential small towns that were really sets. Silver Spruce made all of those sets look like crap.
“Is the general store called General Store?” Holly asked.
“No,” Johnny scoffed. “It’s called Griz’s General Store.”
“Of course, it is.” Holly laughed.
“That diner over there.” Johnny pointed across the cramped cab. “Best meatloaf you’ll ever have in your life.”
“Is that so?” she asked, not looking. As cute as the town was, Holly wasn’t interested in general stores and meatloaf. All she wanted was to get to her grandmother’s house and figure out what the deal was with her cryptic letter.
“I swear on my mother.” Johnny laughed. “Best French fries, too. You know the good ones where they’re crispy and golden on the outside and soft on the inside but not so soft they’re mushy? That’s what they serve at Robeline’s Diner.”
Holly knew exactly what kind of French fries Johnny was talking about. Picturing them made her mouth water. She’d skipped breakfast that morning. The only thing she’d put in her stomach since she’d woken up was some really bad iced coffee. She didn’t even finish it.
“Hungry, huh?” Johnny gave her a knowing smile. “Describing the French fries always makes people hungry. How about a pit stop?”
As tempting as it sounded, Holly just wanted to get to her grandmother’s house, get the affairs in order, and get back to her life.
“Maybe some other time.” She didn’t want to be outright rude to Johnny, especially after he went out of his way to help her.
“Look,” he sighed, “Pearl was a pillar of the community. A lot of people were affected by her death. I bet seeing you would cheer people right up.”
“Seriously?” Holly blinked in surprise. She had no idea her grandmother was such an important town figure. “I’m not sure what I could do to make people feel better. I barely knew Grandmother Pearl.” A twinge of guilt spread through Holly’s chest. She should’ve reached out to Grandmother Pearl more.
“I know it sounds weird,” Johnny nodded, “but trust me.”
“You do realize we’re strangers, right?”
“Pearl raised me more than my own parents did.”
Holly tried not to let her shock show on her face. She had no idea! Yeah, communication between Grandmother Pearl and the rest of the family was sparse, but you’d think something like that would’ve come up at least once.
“I had no idea,” Holly murmured. “I can’t believe I had no idea.” Now, she felt like a real asshole.
“Yeah, let’s go by the diner.”
“Fantastic!” Johnny shot her a smile that made her heart do a weird flutter.
This day had gone to hell, but there was no denying he was a handsome man. That was just an objective fact.
“Our timing couldn’t be better. In a town as small as this, everyone is more or less on the same schedule. Just about every shop owner closes up and heads to the diner around this time.”
“Great,” Holly said through gritted teeth. Being paraded in front of the whole town as Pearl Smart’s granddaughter was the last thing she wanted to do.
Do it for the French fries, she told herself.
Johnny pulled into a parking spot right in front of the diner. He exited the truck, jogged around to the passenger side, and opened Holly’s door before she could properly collect herself.
“Careful.” He grinned. “Everything’s pretty slippery after the rain.”
Holly fought the urge to roll her eyes. Yes, she’d been living in Southern California for the last two years, but she could still manage to get out of
