Situated on the northern side of Millerton, The Pineview diner had earned its reputation as an enduring, round-the-clock dining destination. Its walls were clad with pine wood panels the color of beeswax, adorned with pennants of the Millerton baseball team and framed watercolor renditions of the local landscape, capturing the essence of the charming town.
Becky stepped into the cozy diner, the worn floorboards creaking softly beneath her feet as she found a seat next to the front window. A waitress, a little younger than herself, swiftly approached, ready to provide a menu and a warm smile.
"Thank you," Becky said with a polite nod, accepting the menu.
She flipped through the pages, trying to find the breakfast skillet that Colin had recommended. A frown of slight confusion crossed her face as she reached the last page of the menu. Catching the waitress's attention, she held up the menu, as if seeking confirmation.
"Excuse me," Becky inquired, "do you have a breakfast skillet on the menu? I couldn't find it."
The waitress offered a knowing smile as she took the menu from Becky's hands and secured it under her arm, jotting the order down swiftly on a spiral notepad.
"That's a secret menu item for workers in the local area," the waitress explained, "You must have a friend in town. I haven't seen you around before."
Becky smiled, grateful for Colin's insider knowledge. "I'm just visiting Millerton for the day," she replied. "I was lucky enough to bump into a kind young man opening the deli who gave me the recommendation."
The waitress nodded knowingly and put her pen back into her server apron. Leaning in with a smile, she continued, "Oh, you must have met Colin. He's always the hardworking one doing the opening shift over at the deli. He's kinda cute with those big round glasses he wears, don't you think?"
Becky remembered Colin's captivating eyes, so full of warmth and energy. "Yes, he is." she admitted with a grin.
"You're really going to enjoy the breakfast, as much as you will enjoy our beautiful town." the waitress said cheerfully as she placed the order with the kitchen before returning to Becky's side.
Becky looked out the window at the passing traffic and replied, "I'm really looking forward to seeing all the sights and sounds that the town has to offer."
The waitress looked up, recalling the highlights of the town with enthusiasm, "Millerton is an absolute treasure trove of experiences," she enthused. "Imagine a charming bowling alley for a bit of spirited competition, a cozy art gallery to nourish your artistic soul, picturesque nature trails beckoning just beyond the town's borders, and a street full of fashion boutiques awaiting your exploration."
Becky's eyes lit up as she considered the shopping possibilities. "I'd love to pick up a new book bag and a few gifts for my friends."
The waitress beamed and made a delightful suggestion. "You should definitely check out Meadow Breeze Apparel. They've got a great collection of locally crafted designs and exquisite accessories that I am sure will captivate your discerning tastes."
Becky nodded appreciatively. "I'm loving Millerton already," she said. "So many friendly folks with so many great tips."
The waitress chuckled, sharing the sentiment. "You won't be thanking me when you spend every last penny buying all the cool stuff they sell."
They shared a friendly laugh before the waitress went to attend another table, leaving Becky to gaze out the window at the traffic parading slowly down the tree lined street. Her heart swelled with contentment as she basked in the welcoming atmosphere of Millerton's Pineview Kitchen.
Her thoughts drifted back to Dan and the reason for her visit, but for now, they were overshadowed by the cozy warmth and cheerful conversations that surrounded her. The town had already wrapped its arms around her, and she couldn't help but be charmed by its undeniable allure.
Becky's anticipation grew as the waitress returned with her order. Served in a well-seasoned cast-iron skillet, true to its name. The breakfast skillet was a feast for the senses, a hearty combination of locally made sausages from the deli, shiny scrambled eggs that was still oozing, hash browns that had a crunch reminiscent of Old Dutch chips, and a stack of puffy buttermilk pancakes drenched in dark maple syrup.
She regarded the enormous meal before her with trepidation, wondering if she had ordered something more suitable for a hungry farmer or a long-haul truck driver. Becky picked up her fork and bravely scooped up a mound of the creamy eggs to her mouth, savoring the velvety texture and richness of fresh farm eggs. As she indulged in her meal, a familiar voice reached her ears, its timbre crackling with weariness but still carrying that unmistakable tone of measured experience.
"Becky Jones, fancy seeing you here."
Becky's eyes widened with delight as she turned to face the source of the voice. There, before her stood Harry Sullivan. The epitome of sophistication in his tailored suit jacket and crisply pressed white shirt. He exuded an air of readiness for the impending grand presentation, and Becky couldn't contain her enthusiasm as she sprung from her chair to embrace him warmly.
"Harry!" Becky exclaimed with genuine joy. "Oh my goodness, what are you doing here? Come, sit down and save me from this culinary predicament. I think I may have ordered too much food."
Harry cast a glance at the substantial skillet in front of Becky and raised an amused, albeit slightly horrified eyebrow.
"What did you order, a trucker's banquet?" he teased.
A light-hearted laugh escaped her, "This is the breakfast skillet, a hidden menu special," she explained. "I couldn't resist trying it out at least once in my life, especially since I traveled all the way from Sommerfield."
Impressed by her adventurous spirit, Harry reached for a spare fork from the cutlery jar on the table and sampled a sausage link from the neatly arranged skillet. He nodded in approval at the delicious blend of premium local pork and herbs.
"This is really good, Definitely not good for my heart, though!" Harry admitted with a grin. "As to why I am here, ever since I took on the project to design the new community hall in Millerton, I've been making regular trips down here. Inspecting the site and dealing with local government officials who had contracted me for the job."
Becky nodded with understanding, her eyes filled with curiosity.
"Oh, so that's why you're here so early. Can I see your design for the new community hall?" she asked, unable to hide her keen interest.
Harry nodded and retrieved a stylish laptop from his brown leather messenger bag. With a few quick clicks, a slideshow of his presentation unfolded before them. Becky was captivated by the modern architectural design dominated by organic, oval shapes and surfaces that seamlessly blended wood and glass.
"It's a forward-looking design," Becky commented. "Quite brave for a rural town like Millerton."
Harry understood the subtext behind her words and acknowledged the challenge.
"Not everyone may love it at first, especially those with a more conservative mindset," Harry admitted. "But Millerton is on the fast track to expansion. A town like that needs to embrace change and lead with innovation."
His conviction shone through as he spoke, and his gaze held steady with self-belief.
Becky nodded in agreement.
"I absolutely agree." she said. "Having such modern examples in a local setting can serve as a model for others to follow. Not to mention, it'll put Millerton on the map, something local businesses would surely appreciate. What inspired your design?"
Harry was pleased to have an enthusiastic supporter of his vision.
"I knew you'd understand," he said with a smile. "I revisited my alma mater in Minneapolis a few months back and consulted with my old college professor. We spent countless hours debating the merits of this controversial design over many mugs of coffee. Her insights and encouragement lent credence to my vision."
Harry savored a bite of the airy pancake, licking his lips unconsciously, momentarily lost in the delicious flavors before resuming his narrative.
"I even spent a Saturday with my professor, touring several of her architectural masterpieces around Minneapolis," Harry continued, his voice laced with grateful satisfaction. "We discussed the elements she took design risks on, debating what worked and what didn't in the final construction. I took heavy inspiration from her work, striving to match her visionary spirit while creating a design that would harmonize with rural Minnesota. That's why I opted for local materials, which form the backbone of the design."
Becky studied the intricate lines of Harry's design, her brow furrowing slightly with concern.
"Doesn't the complexity of the design mean higher construction costs?" she inquired, her eyes searching Harry's for an answer.
Harry chuckled heartily as he sampled the scrambled eggs before him. "That's exactly what Mike had criticized about my design." he admitted with a grin. "With all the curves and non-standard elements, every piece of the building will have to be custom-made. It'll be quite an effort to fabricate, fit, and install. Mike had the same worried look you have now."
Becky blushed at the thought but maintained a supportive smile.
"As long as you can sell the concept and highlight the merits of a long-term investment in such an impressive and innovative design, I'm sure your meticulous vision will win over the decision-makers," she reassured Harry.
Harry nodded, appreciating her encouragement. "That's what I believe too," he replied. "Sometimes you have to take a chance; it may not pay off, but you owe it to yourself to push your abilities. Plus, I already have a backup design in place in case it gets a cold reception."
Becky agreed wholeheartedly, "You never truly discover your capabilities until you put yourself out there," she said. "It's amazing that you had the chance to reconnect with your college mentor. But Harry, I was wondering if you don't mind me asking; what was your college experience like and how did you end up back in Sommerfield after studying in Minneapolis?"
Harry leaned back, reminiscing about his journey. "Well, as you know, just like you, I too was born and raised in Sommerfield." he began. "We're both 'Sommerfielders' right down to the marrow of our frostbitten bones."
Becky laughed, acknowledging the shared bond of their origins.
Harry continued with his story, "My family have been involved in the earth-moving business for a long time in Sommerfield." He shared, "But I was always more interested in buildings than moving rocks and soil. So I studied my butt off and got good grades in math. You know how limited college options are around here, so with a loan from my dad, I applied for college in Minneapolis to study architecture."
A smile adorned his face, "College was an incredible experience. For a country boy like me, it was like a dream come true. A world of learning at my fingertips and parties every week." Harry laughed, "Plus it was where I had met Mike's mother who was studying commerce at the time. We hit it off like a house on fire."
Harry put down his fork and looked at Becky with his full attention, "How about you? Tell me about your studies in California."
"College has been amazing for me too." she glowed with delight, "I've received offers to work as a trainee vet at several clinics in Los Angeles, even an internship at a prestigious animal hospital which I am seriously considering. But I haven't told my parents yet; I don't want them to think I'm never coming back to Sommerfield."
Harry nodded, his eyes reflecting empathy.
"Those sound like some very good opportunities to put you on track to do what you love." he encouraged. "That said, rural veterinary practice here in Minnesota can be just as rewarding. It could be the balance between doing what you love whilst staying close to family. Truth be told, a career is not the only consideration. That's why I decided to move back to Sommerfield after Mike was born. It's a great place to raise a child, and I wanted Mike to grow up close to his grandparents, who are still a big part of his life today. Honestly, it has been a Godsend to have my parents around, especially after the divorce and Mike's mother had moved back to Minneapolis."
As Harry briefly touched on the unhappy period in his life, a somber mood descended upon the conversation. But the melancholy was soon interrupted by the energetic movements of the young waitress who had spotted Harry's familiar face.
"Hey, Harry!" she exclaimed, her voice sharp and cheerful. "Back in town for another big important meeting?"
Harry turned to the waitress.
"Hi Sophia." he greeted, "Yep, back for another meeting. More serious business again, trying to convince a bunch of local government bigwigs to keep giving me money to build my pie in the sky."
Sophia's smile remained as she handed Harry a menu.
"Just coffee for me this morning," he quickly informed, "I was lucky enough to run into Becky here, who is a good friend of my son Mike. She had kindly offered to share with me her gargantuan breakfast."
Becky and Sophia exchanged warm smiles, extending their greetings with pleasant waves of their hands.
Sophia's eyes shone with interest as she turned her attention to Becky. "Oh wow, so Becky, you're from Sommerfield too?" she inquired.
Becky sat up with pride, and presented herself to Sophia. "Born and raised." she shot a quick glance at Harry, "A 'Sommerfielder' right to the marrow of my frostbitten bone!"
Becky's playful choice of expressions brought a smile back to Harry's face. Putting away her order notepad, Sophia nodded thoughtfully, her lips forming a playful pout.
"It's an unstoppable Sommerfield invasion!" she declared, her smile turning sly as she offered a contemplative nod. "Though I suppose it's not a bad thing…"
Sophia leaned in closer to Becky, going shoulder to shoulder with her. "I have to thank Sommerfield for contributing to an influx of some major hotties." she playfully declared, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Especially a certain, very fine, delivery guy at the deli."
Harry couldn't help but chuckle at Sophia's boldness. "For a second there," he quipped, "I thought you were talking about me, but I was soon brought back down to earth."
The three shared a hearty laugh. Sophia draped a friendly arm around Harry, her tone still filled with playful teasing.
"Harry's not too bad looking for an old man." her teasing flowed naturally, "But I'm sorry, he doesn't quite compare to the hunky deli delivery man who's delivering more than just cold cuts."
Sophia let out an exaggerated sigh, complete with an expression of satisfied yearning. Harry and Becky exchanged amused smiles at Sophia's unabashed expressiveness, finding her spirited presence refreshing.
However, Sophia soon noticed the arrival of new customers entering the diner, "I'll leave you two in peace to catch up." she said, "I'll be back shortly with Harry's coffee."
"Could I get my coffee to go, Sophia?" he asked. "I need to head off soon to prepare for my date with destiny."
Sophia nods, her energy akin to a whirlwind as she rushes off to fetch Harry's coffee.
As Harry reached for his wallet to settle the bill, he expressed his gratitude.
"Becky, it was really nice catching up with you, and thank you for sharing such a wonderful breakfast." he said with genuine warmth, "I hope to see you again before you head back to California."
Harry placed a generous tip on the table, using the salt shaker as a makeshift paperweight.
"Harry, you don't need to. It's my treat." Becky offered a gracious smile as she addressed Harry's kindness.
"It's my pleasure." Harry simply replied.
Returning his smile with appreciation, Becky nodded, "Good luck with your presentation today. I'm sure you'll ace it. Also, please say hi to Mike for me."
With that, Harry stowed his laptop back into his leather bag and waved goodbye to Becky. He strode confidently over to Sophia, who handed him his coffee. Paying for his coffee with a generous tip, he gave a final wave to Becky before heading out onto the street.
As Becky watched Harry walk down the street into the distance, a green delivery truck slowly rolled towards the stoplight just outside the diner, coming to a halt just eight yards away from where she sat.
Her eyes followed its movement, noticing the deli's name painted on the side of the truck. As she continued to observe the truck, her heart skipped a beat as she spotted Dan at the wheel. A look of concentration upon his face, his entire attention focused on the delivery schedule sitting beside him.
He was unaware that Becky was staring at him from her seat inside the diner as he began mentally charting the delivery route for the day. A few seconds later as the light turned green, Dan's focus returned to the road as he continued on his way towards the deli around the corner.
Catching the unplanned, candid glimpse into Dan's new life had left Becky entranced, re-establishing the kind of closeness that she had once taken for granted. A sense of intimacy, tinged with longing, lingered in her heart as she found herself staring blankly at the spot where Dan's truck had been. With a determined shake of her head, she abruptly refocused on the hearty breakfast before her. However her mind wandered once again, her fork began tracking aimless circles on her plate, thoughts consumed by the imminent reunion with Dan.