Hopeless romantic

Chapter 2

The next day I got up and dressed into some jeans and a red flannel shirt then fed the dogs and gathered up the To Do list.

I usually put what I need to to into town for on that list since I forget stuff sometimes.

To do list

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1) Go into town

2) Get groceries

3) Buy horse feed

4) Get Orange vests (3)

6) More glass jars

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I grabbed my bag and locked up my house then walked out to my black Jeep wrangler and hopped in.

On the drive, I rolled down the windows and let the fresh breeze roll in with the radio turned up.

When I got into town, little shops lined up against each other like a strip mall and families walked on the sidewalk admiring the town. Elston City, is the name of our town. It's not very big but it's homely and very amazing.

Everyone in this town is friendly and nice. Hardly anybody who moves here moves back to where their originally from. I guess it's because of the town, maybe the people. We do tend to convince them to stay. But only because we love having more folks in this small town.

I maneuvered my car in the narrow parking space and turned off the car. I grabbed my bag and got out, then walked into the grocery store.

The bell dinged a little tune when I walked in and I laughed a bit. "Hey Belle!" My good friend Kate yelled from behind the counter. I walked over to her and hugged her from across the counter. "Kate it's been a while" I said pulling back. She nodded and said "Well since you've been stacking up everything at the residence, you hardly come to town anymore!"

I smiled at her and pushed a loose strand of hair back. "I know. Any newcomers lately?" She shook her head no and grabbed the list out of my hand. "Oh no Kate I've gotta get that stuff myself." She pulled her hand back when I reached for it and said "Ha! You think you can just come into town after years and get this stuff then leave? No." I rolled my eyes "It has not been years. Stop being so dramatic"

She laughed. "Go walk around, say hi to people. Come back in 3 hours. It'll all be here" I sighed knowing that she wouldn't let me gather my own stuff so I waved and walked out into the cool air blowing outside, making it not as hot as it was last year.

As I walked up and down the streets, I waved at almost everybody and every once in a while I stopped to enjoy a chat.

When I got in front of an ice cream shop, I walked in and immediately sat in the front where adults with kids and teenagers sat enjoying the homemade ice cream. "Oh Belle! Darling!" I started to smile widely knowing that one of my mothers friends were coming to take my order for me. "Hey Ms. Cynthia" I said.

She hurried up to me, her big colorful hair bouncing on top of her head as her feet hit the ground. She came from around the counter and kissed both sides of my face. "You have been gone for far too long darling!" I nodded "Kate already told me" She popped her gum. "God I love that girl" I laughed. "So should I just get you your regular?" She asked. "Um, no. Today I'll just take a chocolate shake"

She sat me down and went to make it. As I sat there, I looked around and noticed a man sitting in a booth alone. "Here you go doll" She handed me my shake and I took a slurp. "Amazing" I praised her. She smiled and I looked at the man again "Hey Cynthia. Who is that?" She followed my gaze and shrugged. "Must've walked in here a while ago. I dunno who he is. Go welcome him"

I grabbed my shake and walked over to his booth. Once I reached him I tapped his shoulder. He didn't turn around so I smiled and said "Can I sit here?" He shrugged so I slid in front of him. His shoulders were drooped and he held his head down. "I'm Isabelle" He sipped his dark soda. "Quinton" He muttered. "Are you planning to move here?" He shook his head no. "Oh, are you on vacation then.?" He shook his head no again. I sighed. "Well then how'd you end up here?" I asked.

He looked up and focused his blue eyes on me. Then said quietly and almost ashamed "I'm lost"