Chapter 2

Tabitha smiled at the woman. "Hello."

"Hello, dear. You must be Tabitha," the woman said, her voice gentle and lilting. "I'm Elsie Blackwood. Your grandmother and I were great friends."

Tabitha sat up straighter, surprise etched on her face. "You knew my grandmother?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Elsie nodded, her smile growing wider. "Oh, yes. Liza and I go way back. She was a remarkable woman, full of life and love." She paused, her eyes taking on a faraway look. "I miss her dearly."

Tabitha felt another lump form in her throat, tears prickling at the corners of her eyes. "I wish I had known her. I have no memories of her," she confessed, her voice thick with emotion. "I feel like I missed out on so much."

Elsie reached out and patted Tabitha's hand, her touch warm and comforting. "You're here now," she said, her eyes shining with understanding. "And that's what matters. Your grandmother would be so proud of you for coming and facing the unknown."

Tabitha nodded, swallowing hard against the tears that threatened to fall. "Thank you," she whispered, her heart swelling with gratitude for this woman who had known her grandmother so well.

Elsie smiled, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "You know," she said, a hint of playfulness creeping into her voice, "My son runs a café in town called the Lone Wolf. Why don't you join me for dinner if you're not too busy unpacking? I'd love to get to know you better, and I'm sure I could tell you a story or two about your grandmother."

Tabitha's eyes widened. "Really? That's so generous of you. I would love it."

Elsie clapped her hands together, her face lighting up with a grin. "Wonderful," she said. "Come by around seven. I'll have a hot meal waiting for you, and I can tell you anything you want to know about your grandmother."

The sun began to dip below the horizon, painting the sky in a breathtaking array of pinks and oranges. Tabitha watched as the town transformed in the fading light, the glow of the lampposts casting a magical shimmer over the cobblestone streets. A sense of peace washed over her.

It was a little past seven when Tabitha reached the Lone Wolf Café, her heart fluttering with a mix of excitement and nerves. The cafe was nestled on a side street, its inviting glow spilling out onto the sidewalk like a beacon in the gathering dusk.

Pushing open the door, Tabitha was immediately enveloped in the rich aroma of home-cooked food and the cheerful chatter of the café's patrons. Elsie spotted her from across the room and waved Tabitha over to a cozy booth in the corner.

As Tabitha made her way through the café, she was intercepted by a vibrant woman with auburn hair and sparkling green eyes. "You must be Tabitha," the woman said, her voice friendly. "I'm Celeste, Elsie's daughter-in-law, Kade's wife. We've been looking forward to meeting you."

Tabitha smiled, instantly drawn to Celeste's infectious energy. "It's lovely to meet you, Celeste," she said, shaking the woman's hand.

Celeste's expression softened, her eyes filled with understanding. "I just wanted to offer my condolences about your grandmother. I know it must be hard being the new kid in town and dealing with a loss like that. If there's anything you need, please don't hesitate to ask."

Tabitha was touched by Celeste's kindness. "Thank you," she managed. "That means a lot."

Celeste's face brightened. "No need for thanks. You're part of our community now. You know," she said, "a few of us girls get together every week for a little fun and relaxation. Molly, Ivy, Daisy, Ellie, and I would love for you to join us. It's a great way to get to know some of the ladies in town and let off some steam."

Tabitha almost cried with gratitude, a smile spreading across her face. "That sounds wonderful. I'd love to join you."

Celeste clapped her hands together. "Fantastic," she said. "I'll swing by your place tomorrow and we'll exchange numbers. Now, go enjoy your dinner with Elsie. She's been talking about it since she got here."

With a final squeeze of Tabitha's hand, Celeste disappeared into the kitchen, leaving Tabitha to make her way to the booth where Elsie waited.

As they settled in and placed their orders, Elsie's eyes turned to her. "You know," she said, leaning in conspiratorially, "your grandmother was quite the spitfire back in the day."

Tabitha leaned forward, her curiosity piqued. "Really?" she asked, eager to learn more about the woman she had never had the chance to know.

Elsie nodded, a wistful smile on her face. "Oh, yes. Liza was always getting into some kind of trouble, whether it was sneaking out to go dancing or pulling pranks on the boys in town. She had a wild streak a mile wide but a heart of gold to match."

As Elsie regaled Tabitha with stories of her grandmother's youth, the two women laughed and reminisced, the years melting away as they bonded over memories and a love for the remarkable woman who had brought them together.

Midway through their meal, a friendly-looking woman with graying hair and a warm smile approached their table. "Elsie, dear," she said, "I thought I heard your laughter." She turned to Tabitha, her expression curious. "And who might this lovely young lady be?"

Elsie grinned, her face filled with pride. "Avelyn, this is Tabitha, Liza's granddaughter. She's just come to town to settle Liza's estate."

Avelyn's face softened, her eyes filled with understanding. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Tabitha," she said, reaching out to shake her hand. "Your grandmother was a dear friend."

Warmth spread through her chest, touched by the kindness of these women who had known and loved her grandmother so well. "Thank you," she said for the hundredth time today.

Avelyn and Elsie exchanged a look, a silent communication passing between them. "So, Tabitha," Avelyn said, her tone casual but her eyes sharp with interest. "Are you seeing anyone special at the moment?"

Tabitha blinked, caught off guard by the question. "Oh, no," she said, a blush creeping up her cheeks. "I'm single."

Elsie and Avelyn exchanged another look, this one filled with barely contained excitement. "Well, in that case," Elsie said, her voice conspiratorial, "you simply must check out the local brewery. They have the most amazing craft beers, and it's a great place to meet new people."

Avelyn nodded. "Absolutely," she agreed. "In fact, why don't you let us treat you to a few drinks there? Consider it a welcome gift from us to you."

Tabitha's eyes widened, surprised and touched by their strange offer. "That's so kind of you," she said, a smile spreading across her face. "I'd love to check it out. I'm always up for trying new things."

Elsie and Avelyn beamed, looking for all the world like a pair of proud grandmothers. "Wonderful," Elsie said, clapping her hands together. "We'll make the arrangements and let the staff know your visit is on us."

As the evening wound down and Tabitha bid Elsie and Avelyn good-bye, she couldn't help but feel a sense of belonging that had been missing from her life for far too long. The stories Elsie had shared about her grandmother had painted a picture of a woman who was vibrant, mischievous, and full of life, and Tabitha felt a newfound connection to the legacy she had never known.