Free Heart of Texas Vol. 2 by Debbie Macomber

“Give me an example.”
    Jane had a list of those. An inventory of failures cataloged from the day she’d first arrived. “The party for Richard Weston,” she said. It was the first social event she’d attended in the area. Richard had been warm and friendly, stopping her on the street and issuing a personal invitation. Jane had been excited about it, had even told her family she was attending the party. But when she got there, she’d ended up standing around by herself. The evening had been uncomfortable from the start.
    As the new doctor in town Jane appeared to be a topic of speculation and curiosity. The short news paper article published about her earlier in the week had added to the attention she’d garnered. People stared at her, a few had greeted her, asked her a question or two, then drifted away. Richard had been the star of his own party, and the one time he’d noticed her, she was sure he’d for got ten who she was. For a while she’d wandered around, feeling awkward and out of place. Mostly she’d felt like a party crasher and left soon after she’d arrived.
    â€œYou were there, weren’t you?” Dovie murmured with a thoughtful look.
    â€œYes.” Not that it’d done Jane any good.
    â€œYou came in a suit and high heels, as I recall,” Dovie added.
    â€œI realized as soon as I arrived the suit was a mistake,” Jane said. At the time she’d felt it was important to maintain aprofessional image. She was new in town and attempting to make a good impression.
    â€œAnd then jeans and a cotton top to the Grange dance.”
    â€œI didn’t realize it was a more formal affair.” She hadn’t lasted long there, either. “I wasn’t sure what to wear,” Jane confessed. She’d come over dressed for one event and under-dressed for the other. “But,” she said hopelessly, “I had no way of knowing.”
    Dovie nodded, silently encouraging her to continue.
    â€œI showed up for the Willie Nelson Fourth of July picnic, too, but no one bothered to tell me Willie Nelson wouldn’t be there.” That had been a major disappointment, as well.
    Dovie giggled and shook her head. “The town council’s invited him nine years running, and he’s politely declined every year, but we’ve never let a little thing like that stand in our way. This is Willie Nelson country!”
    â€œSomeone might have said something.” Jane didn’t take kindly to being the only one not in on the joke.
    â€œThat’s something you can only learn by living here. Next year, you’ll know.”
    If I’m here that long, Jane thought.
    â€œAnother thing,” she said. “What’s all this about a ghost town?” Jane asked next.
    Dovie’s expressive eyes narrowed. “Who told you there was a ghost town?”
    Jane wondered at the swift change in her newfound friend. “I over heard two children talking. One of them mentioned it.”
    â€œDon’t pay any attention to those rumors, understand?”
    â€œIs there one?”
    â€œThat’s neither here nor there,” Dovie said, but not unkindly. “We have other more important matters to discuss.”
    â€œSuch as?”
    Dovie’s head came back. “You.” Her face was set, her voice firm. “You’re right, you do need a friend.”
    â€œAre you volunteering to take me under your wing?” Jane asked and hoped Dovie understood how very grateful she’d be.
    â€œI’m too old.” Dovie’s response was fast. “I’m thinking of someone more your age.” She tapped her index finger against her chin. “You and Ellie Frasier would get along like gang busters. Unfortunately Ellie’s busy getting ready for her wedding just now, so you’ll need to be patient.”
    â€œOh.” Jane’s voice was small.
    â€œUntil then, you and I have our work