Chapter 4 #2
“If you’re doing what you love, that’s all that matters.” Elizabeth tossed the money bag in the safe. “We’re not all called to change the world the same way, Luce.”
“I feel like I’m changing the world when someone walks into the diner, hankering for some good food, the best sweet tea in Tennessee, and a friendly face.
Lonely, hurting people will never tell you they’re lonely and hurting, but I can offer a smile and good service.
” She shrugged. “It’s not getting into Wharton, but it’s—”
“Something I should bear in mind,” Elizabeth said. “You may do more for people than a thousand with an MBA.”
“Will you visit when you’re Miss MBA, working for some high-powered consulting firm?” Lucy said as they walked to their cars.
“Well, I might grace you with my presence.” Elizabeth tried to sound light and confident. “If I’m not, say, in Tokyo presenting marketing strategies to Toyota.”
“Sounds exciting.” But Lucy didn’t sound excited.
Her reply felt more like placating Elizabeth.
Because there she was jumping into D’Angelo’s arms, who caught her up and swung her around before setting her down for a kiss.
In the parking lot, he opened her car door, and while Elizabeth folded inside of her VW Bug, alone, Lucy drove away with a jolly toot of her horn, D’Angelo following in his truck.
Elizabeth spent her entire drive home arguing with herself about her life choices. They were just as valid as Lucy’s or Jeff’s, or Will’s or cousin Ethan’s, who headed up Dorsey Furniture’s Business and Compliance Office and was married to a teacher, Julie.
Or Ryder, who returned to Hearts Bend to protect nature and wildlife.
Dad found love while getting his law degree. He had a family with Mom while building his career. While raising children and designing her dream home, Mom excelled as Director of Technology for a shipping company. They managed to chase their dreams and find love.
There was cousin Will, who didn’t have a girlfriend but wanted one. His twin, Bobby, was married to Mila. Again, more Dorseys who found love and a career, right? There was no reason Elizabeth couldn’t do the same. Two years of grad school wouldn’t knock her out of the romance race.
Yet watching Lucy with D’Angelo—
“Let it go,” she whispered to herself, shifting her car into gear. “You have plenty of time.”
At home, the kitchen was bright and lively, cozy. Granny and Pops were at the table sharing their pre-bedtime toast and hot tea.
“Can I get you to join us?” Granny said.
“I’d rather have pie and coffee, but we can’t do that anymore.” Pops made a sad face. “Who invented heartburn? I want to know.”
Granny motioned for Elizabeth to sit. “Have you eaten? I made chicken and rice.” She paused by the fridge, waiting for Elizabeth to answer, knowing full well it was one of her favorite dishes.
“A small bowl.” She lowered her backpack to the kitchen floor. “Did you hear about Ryder? Jeff and Will brought him into the diner for something to eat, but he looked beat up.”
“Yeah, Bill Yerkes from the TWRA headquarters called,” Pops said between sips of tea. “They’re having a real issue with armed loggers illegally cutting down trees.”
“Is Ryder all right?” Granny said.
“Yes, but he’s limping and his arm is in a sling. His face and hands are bruised and cut.” Elizabeth twisted a paper napkin between her fingers. Why was this bothering her so much? “When Ethan first told Will, he said Ryder had been shot.”
“I heard,” Pops said. “Ryder’s a smart officer. Experienced. He knows what he’s doing.” He tapped Elizabeth on the hand. “Did Will tell you he reserved our spot on Scott’s Farm for the Fourth? The Dorseys are defending our three-legged race title.”
“We could use you on our team.” Granny warmed the chicken and rice on her old gas stove. “Beka is seven months pregnant, so she can’t race.” Beka was a cousin-in-law, married to cousin Chuck Dorsey.
“I’m working the diner’s truck.”
“At least you’ll be there this year,” Granny said. “You always worked at the diner before. Maybe you can take a break, walk around, and see the booths and games. I heard Buck Mathews is bringing a special guest. I hope it’s Blake Shelton.”
Pops’s face made Elizabeth laugh. “She’s got a thing for that Shelton boy.”
“Matt Dorsey, I only have a thing for you. I just like Blake’s singing.”
“She never missed a season of The Voice until he left the show.” Pops pushed away from the table.
“Betty, I’m headed up, otherwise I won’t make that five a.m. men’s prayer meeting in the morning.
” He kissed her good night and patted Elizabeth on the head.
“It’s good to have you here, Beth. We wish you’d never leave. ”
“Matt, don’t start. We’re supporting her educational pursuits.” Granny set down a steaming bowl of chicken and rice in front of Elizabeth. “When you’re ready for love, find a man like your grandpa. Though I’m not sure they make them like him anymore.”
“Granny.” Elizabeth stirred the chicken, rice, and gravy. “Do you really believe all this stuff about God? Does He really care? I mean, does Pops getting up for five a.m. prayer meetings make a difference? What’s the reward? Does anything really change?”
“Elizabeth.” Granny sat in Pops’s chair, across from her. “Do you think your Pops is a smart man? A good man?”
“Absolutely. He brought Dorsey Furniture into the twenty-first century. He’s a leader in the community. If I found a man like him, I’d be pretty lucky.”
“Do you think he’d give time and energy to something that wasn’t real?”
“No, but a lot of smart people do. We all have our blind spots.” Elizabeth’s first bite of chicken and rice warmed away all her inner angst about school, Ryder, and love. And the fact that she, too, had blind spots. She just didn’t know where.
“We do. Which is exactly why Pops goes to those meetings.”
Elizabeth made a face. “To find his blind spots?”
“Your grandpa decided long ago to be a man of faith. So he gave himself to it. Just like he gave himself to our family, to Dorsey Furniture, and to exercising, but heaven knows he’s let that one slide.”
Elizabeth laughed. “When I was here in the summers, he always tried to get me to go to the gym with him. ‘You’ll love it,’ he said.”
“Then he wrenched his back, and that was all she wrote. But faith is something we all have to work out, Beth. Everyone believes in something or someone. Their education and intellect. Crystals and potions. Astrology. Nature. Their own strength and will. Even one’s family can be a form of faith, I suppose.
” Granny pressed her hand on Elizabeth’s.
“But seeking the God who made it all? Who loves you even though He sees all your blind spots? That’s one journey you won’t regret. Not in this life or the next.”
“I have faith, Granny. To succeed at Wharton, graduate top of my class with offers from top consulting or marketing firms, and—” Elizabeth glanced at her pinging phone. Her smile faded as she read the message.
“Something the matter?” Granny said.
“Not at all.” Elizabeth rose from the table, leaving half of her chicken and rice untouched. “I’m pretty tired.” She kissed Granny’s forehead. “See you in the morning.”
“Beth, I’m your grandmother. I’ve seen that look of disappointment on your face a hundred times. When you dropped your ice cream cone, when you got tagged out at first base.” Granny’s soft hands held onto hers. “Something about school?”
“Yes, um…” If she looked into Granny’s warm, brown eyes, she’d lose it and tell the truth—she’d been wait-listed. She wasn’t going to Wharton in the fall unless something changed. Soon. So she stared at the floor. “The apartment I wanted fell through.”
“Well, you’ll find something soon. Talk to Mila. She knows a lot of people in Philly. She grew up there.” Mila, Bobby’s wife, had already traveled the educational road Elizabeth was on.
“I will. Don’t know why I didn’t think of it.”
Because she’d break the moment Mila started asking questions. Or shared some grand, lovely story of her post-grad years. Or how exhilaratingly hard it was but oh so worth it.
She still had a few weeks. She’d make it. She always did. So don’t worry, Elizabeth Dorsey. But the fact that she stood in the same kitchen, in the same town as seven years ago when she graduated from high school, made her feel stuck.
Storing her uneaten dinner in the fridge, she headed up to her room, thinking of Pops and Granny, wondering if she needed a little bit of their faith.