Harmony Cabins (Finding Home 2)

“Please call me Penny. Or does your management have a policy against employees addressing guests by their first names?”

“No, ma’am.” Finally a flicker of reaction flashed into those serious eyes. Just as quickly, it was gone.

Audra gathered the map. “Thank you for your help.”

Jack’s nod was curt.

She turned to leave. Was everyone in Trinity Falls as antisocial as the desk clerk? If so, she’d demand Benita return her money.

Audra was having one new experience after another. Last night, she’d slept in an isolated cabin in the woods, using spare sheets and towels as makeshift curtains. This morning, she’d gone jogging in the forest. Now she was going to experience small-town life. If new experiences were the measurement of success, at this rate, she’d finish writing the contracted songs by the end of the week.

I hope you’re happy, Benita.

It was a short drive into Trinity Falls. Audra was instantly charmed by the redbrick roads, quaint streetlamps, manicured front yards, and rows of 150 YEARS STRONG banners, proclaiming the town’s upcoming sesquicentennial. She followed the map’s directions to the Trinity Falls Town Center and parked her rental car in front of Books & Bakery. The town and its shopping center looked like something out of a fairy tale. Audra expected a crowd of little people to swarm her, shouting, “Follow the Yellow Brick Road!”

She stepped from her silver Toyota Camry and stood observing the town center. The little slice of commerce in this modern-day Mayberry was comprised of six stores grouped in a semicircle around the parking lot: Are You Nuts?, Fine Accessories, Books & Bakery, Ean Fever—Attorney-at-Law, Skin Deep Beauty Salon, and Gifts and Greetings.

Were the residents of the enchanted town under the spell of the Good Witch or the Wicked Witch? She approached Books & Bakery with caution. But when she opened the door, a sense of warmth and cheer greeted her like an old friend. She forgot she was in an unfamiliar place, surrounded by strangers.

Audra took in the dark hardwood flooring and bright, inviting wall displays. The scent of lemon wood polish lingered in the air. Sesquicentennial banners similar to the ones that lined the town roads hung from the bookstore’s ceilings and draped the walls.

Special-interest tabletop displays and overstuffed red armchairs drew Audra farther into the store. The bookcases were made of the same dark wood that shone beneath her feet. New releases were shelved beside perennial best sellers. The rows upon rows of books mesmerized her. Only hunger kept her focused on her destination—the bakery.

Audra followed the aisles, making mental notes of the sections to linger over after breakfast. The inventory included local artist crafts, like framed artwork, greeting cards, and jewelry.

She glimpsed glossy magazine covers as she wound her way toward the smells of fresh pastries and coffee, and the sounds of banter and laughter. She skimmed the titles on the mystery and romance shelves and glanced toward the science-fiction and fantasy section.

“You must be the new guest at Harmony Cabins.” A woman’s voice hailed her.

Audra tensed at the greeting. How did the attractive, older woman behind the counter know who she was? Her warm brown eyes twinkled and she smiled as though she were happy to see Audra. Short, curly brown hair framed her round, cocoa face.

Audra stopped in front of the bakery counter. “Yes, I am.”

The stranger offered her right hand. “Welcome to Trinity Falls. I’m Doreen Fever, the café manager.”

Audra accepted Doreen’s hand. “I’m Au . . . Penny Lane.” Her face heated with her slip.

Doreen released her hold and offered Audra a menu. “Well, Penny, what would you prefer, a late breakfast or an early lunch?”

“I’m hungry enough for both.” She requested eggs, wheat toast, and coffee before settling onto a bar stool, leaving an empty seat between her and the other patron at the counter.

Doreen brought her a mug from a supply behind the counter and filled it with coffee. “Your breakfast will be right up.”

“Where are you from?” The question came from the patron beside her. She was a beautiful woman, with long ebony hair and café au lait skin.

“Redondo Beach, near Los Angeles.”

“Really?” The woman’s movie star features brightened. She migrated to the empty bar stool between them, bringing her mug of coffee with her. “I’m Ramona McCloud, mayor of Trinity Falls, although my term is over in six months. Do you live near the beach?”

Audra absorbed all of that. “A few miles away.”

“Wow.” Ramona spoke the word on a sigh. “Why aren’t you there now?”

Audra tugged her right earlobe. “Where?”

“At the beach.”

“I needed a break.” Or so Benita claimed, repeatedly.