One More Night (Richonne Story)

Just A Small Town Girl

Michonne attempts to settle in after her long trip; only to discover that settling in may not be as easy as planned.

Dedicated To: The amazing actor Scott Wilson who portrayed the beloved Hershel Green - March 29, 1942 - October 6, 2018

A/N: The entire story will be told from Michonne's POV  

"You're all packed and ready to go," Hershel said as he gave me a playful grin and wink over his shoulder. "It's good to know you haven't forgotten about us." I followed him with my two reusable grocery bags out of the store.

"Blue Ridge is where I grew up, this place made me who I am today, so I don't think forgetting that would ever happen."

"Sounds like you'll always be our sweet ole small-town girl," Hershel chuckled as he helped me load the bags of groceries I'd ordered in advance into the back of Daryl's truck.

My train of thought halted as soon as my mind said his name and the inner mind, my soul, absorbed it. It wasn't Daryl's truck anymore – the truck belonged solely to me. I am not sure if I will ever get used to this, but I've got to try.

"I stopped by the cabin this morning before opening the store and turned on the heat for you. I also set the fire, just in case that wasn't enough. The rest of your nonperishables are on the kitchen counter. Ya know Chonne, the house is looking pretty darn good. Mitchell and Olivia would be mighty proud."

"Thank you so much, Mr. Green, I appreciate your help, I really can't wait to see it. It's all I've been thinking about this week." I moved back on my heels, casting a glance up at the alpine range that drew around the quiet little town of Blue Ridge. My cabin was waiting for me, just over the cobalt hills and snow-sprinkled pines. "How much do I owe you, sir?"

"I'll hear nothing of it, Chonne," he said, moving the back of his hand across his scruffy white beard. "We look after our own here... and before I forget, Annette will be calling you soon. She wants to have a formal party to welcome you back to town. She makes a hell of a rosemary and garlic lamb roast, so be prepared to feast."

"How sweet of her. Tell her I'll be more than happy to come over, once I'm finished unpacking and getting all settled in."

Hershel handed me the spare set of cabin keys the contractors left with him and I made him promise to charge all my groceries to my account, although I wouldn't put it past him to let this shopping bill slip by uncharged as a hospitable gift. We said our goodbyes and I thanked him again as I climbed into the front seat of the truck.

"Hold up, Chonne! Hershel called back out to me from underneath the storefront awning. "I nearly forgot - did Maggie tell you that you have a neighbor now?"

"In the new cabin next door?" I called back. A vague memory came to mind of Maggie telling me a new rental place had been built next door to the north of my cabin about a year ago, and I think she said someone recently moved in. Only a handful of cabins and homes run along the gravel road where the Jones Family cabin house and all of them are to the south, and technically, closer to town than they are to me. As far as I knew, those were the only homes along the winding forested road that had permanent residents. Most of the homes and cabins near me are rentals for vacationers who frequent on weekends or seasonal vacations.

"That's it..." He nodded, "I heard he's from Ireland, or was it Scotland... or maybe Australia? Either way, I thought I best tell you so you won't be surprised."

"Have you met him?"

"Not yet, none of us hardly seen hide or hair of him in town and he's been there a few months. Seems to keep to himself, but I hear he's nice enough."