Finding Love

The Search for Answers

I can't believe I'm here. After hours of research, I finally found it, and now I'm here.

I close my eyes and inhale deeply. The smells of the small town and its inhabitants fill my senses. I pick up on baked bread and cinnamon and my stomach grumbles at me. Knowing I need to eat, I follow the scent. Pastries and bread are my weakness.

A cute little cafe comes into view. "Little Belle's" the sign says. I head inside, taking note of the atmosphere and exits as I walk in.

I head to the counter, looking at the menu as I go. I'm not feeling like a sit down inside, so I'll just place me order and go.

The girl behind the counter smiles at me. "Hello. Welcome to Little Belle's. What can we get for you today?" she asks in an upbeat tone.

"Hi, can I get a small iced caramel macchiato and a chocolate pastry to go?" What can I say - I have a sweet tooth.

"Sure, coming right up. That'll be $7.55," she replies.

I pull out a ten dollar bill. She gives me my change and I drop it in the tip jar on the counter. Then I step aside by the to-go counter to wait for my goodies. It doesn't take long before she's bringing me my order. I nod at her and say, "Thank you."

She replies with, "Of course! Have a lovely day!" I nod back at her and head out, back into the sunshine. I sip at my drink after swirling it a bit. Yum.

Let's see if I can find a park or someplace to enjoy my findings.

I inhale subtly. There. Floral and pine. I follow the scent of pine. I go through a rounded trellis and find myself in the middle of a gorgeous flower garden. Well it's not a park, but it'll do. I wander a bit til I find a bench and take a seat.

I pull out my treat from its paper bag and sigh. It smells delicious.

I take a bite and the chocolatey goodness melts in my mouth. I groan. So good.

Soon the pastry is gone. Should've gotten two pastries. Oh well. I can always go back. Though maybe I should eat something with a bit more protein to it instead. I sip on my macchiato, taking my time, enjoying the gentle breeze and bright colors around me.

The perfect start to my afternoon.

I sit there, basking in the sun and quiet til I hear voices. My ears perk up and my eyes drift open.

"Elaine, you can't keep doing this. I need you here on time. I've been patient but I have my limits. You're an hour late. If you can't start getting here earlier, I'm going to have to find someone else," a woman's voice states.

"I know, Ms. Sarah. My shift at the mall went long again; then there was traffic. I'll tell them in no uncertain terms that I have to be out by 1 pm at the latest from now on, regardless of if my relief is late. If they let me go, they let me go. I really need the pay from this job, Ms. Sarah," another voice replies.

"Very well, I'll look forward to seeing you here on time next shift."

"Yes ma'am."

"Good. Now do you have everything you need for the next couple hours?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Good, I'll leave you to it then." The voices fade but a heartbeat moves closer, headed directly towards her. Not ready to interact with other beings, I get up and head out the way I came in.

Exiting the garden, I find myself at a loss for what to do next so I just start to wander.

I didn't really think beyond getting here when I was loading up my to go bag into my Ford Bronco and heading out to this small town in the middle of nowhere Montana. I just knew I needed to come here - needed to find out if those letters I found held any truth.