Melanie seemed like a nice girl, but she chattered incessantly and hadn’t managed to say anything of substance yet. Ian could hear her talking from clear across the store and there wasn’t anyone else there. "Maybe she’s making friends with the frozen lima beans" he chuckled to himself.

The phone rang. "Hello, Braddock’s Grocery." Recognizing the voice on the phone Ian began to worry. "James is everything alright?" As he listened he began to frown.

"I had really hoped we had gotten through to her. Now I don’t know what to think."

"Don’t worry James I’ll take care of things here. She told Melanie, what?" "Alright then, I’ll take her home, if she wants. Take care, James. I’ll see you both in a bit." As he hung up he realized he didn’t hear Melanie’s chatter. Turning around he jumped when he saw her.

"Christ sakes Melanie. Don’t do that!" Ian leaned against the counter for support.

"Sorry, I thought I heard the phone ring." She cocked her head sideways as she looked at him.

"The phone? Oh the phone. That was James. He was calling about Ivy and you. Seems you are to be our houseguest. Do you want to go to the house after we close or did you want to stay in town a bit?"

Melanie smiled. "I don’t have any reason to stay in town."

"Ok then. Be ready in 15 minutes." Ian took the cash drawer out of the register and headed to the office.

Melanie looked out the window of Ian’s car as he drove. She wondered what sort of situation she had gotten herself into. The Glen was a small town, smaller even than she expected and Braddock’s Grocery seemed to be a family business. She smiled as she thought about Jim. He’d be a reason to stick around…and he’d called Ian and mentioned her specifically, after only meeting briefly. A man like that would be worth settling in a place for a while.