Becky found the return journey to Millerton's center to be a soothing experience. Her troubling thoughts and lingering uncertainties retreated to the depths of her mind, replaced by a renewed sense of hope inspired by the clear blue sky and the lush green surroundings. Before long, the Millerton shops came into view, appearing like a welcome oasis in the midst of a desert.
Having tracked down the Meadow Breeze Apparel shop that Sophia had recommended, she devoted a substantial amount of time to exploring the array of distinctive clothing items on display. The pieces possessed an irresistible attraction, prompting her to try on several, each boasting its own unique charm. In the end, she made up her mind, choosing a handful of locally crafted fashion items to gift her university friends, along with a skirt and top for herself.
Upon completing her purchases, she found herself engrossed in a lively conversation with the shop owner. During their interaction, the proprietor enthusiastically disclosed plans to open a second store in Sommerfield, a prospect that left Becky positively thrilled at the idea of having such an elegant boutique right in her hometown.
By the time 2 pm arrived, Becky had only scratched the surface of the shops lining the main shopping strip. Sending a quick message to Dan to meet her at the deli, she hurried back to the familiar establishment, clutching her shopping spoils. When she arrived, Dan was already waiting outside, having cleaned up and changed into a blue t-shirt and a pair of green trail trousers.
As he saw her approach, Dan greeted her with a warm hug.
"You no longer smell like a pork sandwich," Becky remarked with playful disappointment.
"Well, that's a good thing, right?" Dan chuckled, "How was your day? Did you manage to do everything you wanted?"
Becky shook her head with a smile. "No, I didn't make it to that nature walk and bowling. I completely lost track of time shopping for gifts for my friends." She displayed her bag filled with neatly wrapped clothing items.
Dan pondered their options. "How about we do those things now? Unless something else catches your fancy?"
Becky contemplated for a moment. "Actually, for the next half hour, I just want to rest and relax, shopping is a little bit more tiring than I remembered. I could really go for a nice glass of iced tea or something to cool down."
"I guess it's a bit early for beers isn't it? Are you sure you're not up for a hike or a spot of bowling. You're not feeling very adventurous today aren't you?"
Becky laughed, shaking her head. "I had my adventure for the day at the gallery, believe me. It's a long story!"
Just then, Colin emerged from the deli, his shift having ended in sync with Dan's. Colin noticed Becky and Dan chatting just outside the shop so decided to approach them out of politeness.
"Hey Becky, it was really nice to meet you this morning. I hope you have a great rest of the day in Millerton and I really hope to see you back here again someday."
He was about to take his leave when Becky called him back.
"Hey, Colin," she called out. "Where are you off to? Join us if you're free."
Colin hesitated, not wanting to intrude on Dan's time with Becky.
"Thanks Becky, but I'm heading back home to study," he replied. "I've got a lot of stuff I need to catch up on."
Becky narrowed her eyes and gave a quizzical look.
"Study? Colin, it's summer break! You can't fool me; I'm on summer break too!"
Colin chuckled sheepishly. "Okay, maybe I have other stuff to do." he admitted, glancing at Dan, who seemed to understand his unspoken desire to give them some personal time. But Becky, not ready to let him off the hook, persisted.
"What's so important?" she inquired, "A bunch of video games, perhaps?"
"Well, something like that." Colin said with clear embarrassment. "You seem to know me pretty well."
Becky turned to Dan, seeking his help.
"Dan! Help me convince Colin to hang out with us. Please!" She adopted an endearing, childlike tone, making it hard for anyone to resist her.
Dan agreed, turning to Colin with a serious expression. "Colin," he said, "Becky's only in Minnesota for a few more days before she flies back to California. Let's celebrate her visit and show her some Millerton hospitality."
Colin hesitated, glancing at Becky, who looked at him with hopeful, doe-like eyes. Eventually, he gave in to her sweet charm.
"Okay, just for you Becky. My super serious all-night study session can wait until tomorrow."
Becky couldn't contain her excitement and clapped her hands joyfully. Then, she turned to Dan.
"So, where are we going?" she asked. But before Dan could suggest anything, she quickly changed her mind. "Actually, I should decide, I'm the guest afterall. But then again, you guys are the locals, so you should choose. But you know what? I've got a great place in mind, it's nearby, and it's always storming with energy. Let's start there!"
Becky led the way the short distance to the Pineview Diner. As they navigated through the sparse afternoon crowd at the diner, Becky, Dan, and Colin found a cozy spot with car benches near the center of the diner. Becky's gaze darted around the diner, searching for a familiar face.
A moment later, a friendly server approached their table, exuding warmth and hospitality. He greeted Colin and Dan like old friends, his words smooth and laden with familiarity. He distributed menus to each of them, but Becky's focus remained on her quest to locate Sophia.
Becky leaned forward slightly and asked, her voice filled with anticipation, "Excuse me, but do you know if Sophia is still around?"
The server's smile widened at Becky's eager inquiry. "Sophia's just finished her shift," he explained. "She should be in the back getting changed."
Becky's eyes sparkled with excitement, "Would you be so kind as to fetch her for me? I'm a friend of Sophia's, and I'd love to say hi."
The server nodded, thoroughly amused by Becky's enthusiasm. "Well, I'll be," he chuckled. "Sophia's made yet another new friend. Of course, I'll go get her for you. Sophia will be very delighted to see Dan here."
With a playful pat on Dan's back that carried a hint of mischief, the server headed toward the back of the diner to retrieve Sophia.
As they awaited Sophia's arrival, Colin turned toward Dan with a nervous expression, his expression a mix of concern and unease. He hoped to convey his apprehensions to Dan about the impending encounter with Sophia, but Dan met his gaze with an air of cool nonchalance. His eyes remained steady, and his lips held a casual demeanor, as if he'd weathered similar storms before.
"Becky," Colin began, glancing over at her, "Do you know what Sophia is like? I've got a really bad feeling about where this day might be heading."
Becky too exuded an unwavering determination. She met Colin's gaze with confidence, her eyes emanating a sense of purpose.
"It's going to be my last day here in Millerton, and summer break is almost over. I'm going to make the best of every moment I have." Her tone became more animated as she prepared to deliver her punchline.
She leaned her head lazily to one side dramatically, "Colin, babe." she began, adopting an exaggerated valley girl accent that was amusingly endearing, "I am going to show you Millerton boys how us California girls 'partay'"
Her imitation of the word was adorably off-kilter, earning laughter from Dan and Colin. Colin couldn't resist repeating the word 'partay' to himself, trying to capture the essence of Becky's enthusiasm.
Suddenly, Sophia materialized behind Dan like a whirlwind of desire. Her flirty, song-like voice announcing her entrance. She flicked her long, curly auburn hair, sending it brushing gently against Dan's face.
Sophia couldn't hide her playful excitement as she greeted Dan, her voice dripping with charm. "Hi, Dan!"
"Hey, Sophia." Dan managed to reply, caught off guard by Sophia's sudden arrival.
Sophia's questions came rapid-fire, her concern for Dan's well-being evident.
"So, Dan, how were your delivery runs today? Are you tired, sweetheart? Do you need a shoulder massage?" She gave him a sly grin. "I've been told that my hands can perform acts of magic."
Playfully, she nudged him with her shoulders, earning a smile from Dan, who looked at Becky with an amused look in his eyes.
Becky couldn't help but wear a mischievous smile, thoroughly enjoying the instant fun and energy that Sophia brought into their group.
Dan, still smiling, replied with a light-hearted tone, "I'm fine, Sophia. It was a super-duper easy run today, barely raising a sweat. My shoulders are fine for now."
Sophia, delighted by their playful exchange, shared a knowing wink with Colin and Becky. Dan, meanwhile, rolled his eyes at Becky, subtly blaming her for unleashing Sophia's enthusiastic presence upon him.
Sophia exchanged greetings with Colin, her enthusiasm infectious as she turned her attention to Becky with an eager burst of energy.
"And here's my favorite girl from Sommerfield!" Sophia exclaimed, her voice filled with enthusiasm. She leaned in closer to Becky and quizzed her, "Are you friends with Dan? Are you his bestie?" her words came quickly and fast, "Why didn't you mention that you are friends with Dan? Dan never mentioned you before. I can see why."
Sophia looked Becky up and down, sizing her up. Becky lowered her gaze slightly, falling into her seat to make herself look smaller.
"Did you manage to find Meadow Breeze Apparel?" Sophia's energy was boundless as she asked Becky.
Becky couldn't contain her excitement as she recounted her afternoon. "I spent my whole afternoon there," she said with a gleeful grin. "It was a fashion smorgasbord. Everything there was so pretty and cute; I couldn't decide what to get."
Sophia laughed, nodding knowingly. "See, I told you it was worth your time," she said with self satisfaction, "One would be advised to never go there straight after payday."
"Sophia, are you done for the day? If you're free, you should come join us." Becky said, glancing quickly at Dan as if asking for permission.
Sophia, with her characteristic vivacity, immediately jumped at the invitation. With a broad smile, she effortlessly slid into the empty chair next to Dan, as if she had been waiting for just this opportunity.
"Apparently, it's Becky's last few days in Minnesota, and we've been tasked to show her the best that Millerton has to offer." Colin chimed in.
Sophia leaned forward, her voice animated with excitement. "Well, I'll be a turkey in a snowstorm! We've got to raise the roof and send Becky off in style. If we're going to have any real fun, we've gotta get out of here. I mean, don't get me wrong, the food's good, but if this place was any more old-fashioned, they'd be churning butter by hand!"
"How about we head over to the Bison Brewery?" Dan suggested.
Sophia's gaze shifted to Dan, her expression filled with admiration. "What a fantastic idea! They've got happy hour, and sometimes there's live guitar playing. It's got all the makings of a memorable evening."
Becky, ever the responsible one, interjected with a note of concern in her voice. "But I can't be drinking today. I need to drive home for dinner tonight."
Sophia waved off Becky's concerns with a dismissive gesture. "Nonsense! You can stay over at Dan's apartment to sober up. We've got everything sorted."
Colin, sitting next to Becky, chimed in with a reassuring smile. "And if you're not in the mood for alcohol, they make a mean ginger beer at the brewery. So, you won't be missing out on the fun."
A grateful smile played on Becky's lips as she soaked in the warmth of her newfound friends' hospitality.
Sophia, lept up from her chair and seized Dan's arms in a sudden, energetic motion. "Let's go, time is ticking!"
Becky, slightly taken aback by Sophia's swift action, raised an objection. "But we haven't even ordered anything yet. I just wanted to get an iced tea or something."
Sophia, completely unyielding in her determination, snatched Becky's menu right out of her hands and tossed it carelessly into a nearby basket by the door. Impatiently, she extended her hand toward Becky, her fingers splayed out in a silent demand, urging her to follow. Without waiting for a response, she began dragging Dan towards the exit.
Becky, feeling caught between her desire for a leisurely drink and the allure of adventure, hesitated. "Wait, I haven't done my bowling, the nature walk, and now I also want to have a beer at the Bison Brewery."
Dan, sharing Sophia's excitement for the evening's prospects, offered a reassuring smile to Becky. "We can do it all if we make a start right now."
"There's not enough time... Is there enough time?" Becky reasoned her expression filled with doubt.
Sophia, radiating confidence, took charge of the situation. "Don't worry, babe. Call home right now, grovel and apologize, do whatever you have to. There's no way you're going to make it home sober tonight. I'll make sure of that!"
