“And you said you have a job already?” Betty prompts.

I sip my iced tea. “Yeah, I’m working at a coffee shop downtown? Cozy Cup? Next to UpNorth Outfitters?”

James beams. “Next to Dani’s store? We know it well. Dani and I go way back.”

I raise my brow at his enthusiasm, and Betty’s lips quiver behind her water glass, but he doesn’t seem to notice.

“Yep, that’s the one. I was hired yesterday.”

“Does this mean you’re staying?”

“That’s the plan. It’s a bit of an impulse decision. My original plan was to take a gap year and travel. Well, my original, original plan anyway. Then I planned to work at this dude ranch until everything got flipped nose over butt, and now I’m here and I like it. I like you guys, and I’ve been making friends, and, I mean, I am learning things about myself. So, it’s still a gap year. But the location is more specific. I feel at home.”

“Speaking of, do you have a home here?”

“Not yet,” I respond, undeterred. “I’m still figuring out the logistics, or rather, God is.”

James hesitates, but quickly shakes it off. “I know we just met, but we’re family. You’re my niece. You’re Drew’s kid,” he says like he’s willing himself to believe it. “I have a pretty big place on Park Street, a few blocks from the coffee shop. An old duplex that I’ve been converting back to its original single-family purposes. It’s a hobby of mine. And I’ve got more bedrooms than I know what to do with. I’d give you plenty of privacy. You’d have your own en suite bathroom, and I won’t try to give you a curfew or whatever. I’m not your dad, and I’m not trying to be … I mean, I don’t even know what that looks like, and you’re an adult anyway, but … well. It’s yours if you want it.”

I blink, startled, but a warm feeling is taking over my belly. “Really? You mean it? You don’t have to do that.”

James seems more certain as he nods. “Absolutely positive. I’d have to rearrange some furniture … I’m using the space for storage right now, but I can easily shift things around. When do you need a place?”

“Um, in the next few days … but I can stay in the hotel room longer if—”

He shakes his head. “No need. I’ll tackle the furniture first thing in the morning. I have a friend who owes me.”

“Well, that’s settled,” Betty says. “I’m so pleased you’ll be staying with us, Meg. I’ve loved getting to know you after all these years.”

“I’m sorry it took so long to find my way here.”