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street. They all said they’d ‘grown apart.’ I can’t help but think that the problem was that they stopped growing together.
    â€œMaybe this is a crazy idea,” I said earnestly, “and maybe it won’t work out, but I’m proud of us for trying. And if we end up broke, I can honestly say that I’d rather be broke with you than anyone I know. . . .”
    Lee laughed. “Aw, shucks.”
    â€œI mean it, Lee Woodruff. I love you. More today than I ever have.”
    â€œBut only half as much as tomorrow?”
    â€œAre you trying to flirt with me?”
    â€œI am. Is it working? Because I love you, too, Tessa. Now more than ever.”
    Our kiss was interrupted by the lilt of Charlie Donnelly’s Irish brogue. “Ah, the lovebirds!” he called out as he approached our table, holding Evelyn’s hand. “Lee is so overcome that he hasn’t touched his pancakes. It’s true love, I tell you, true love.”
    Evelyn laughed. “It would be for you, Charlie. I can’t imagine the day when you’d ever be too overcome with anything to miss a meal.”
    Charlie is the owner of New Bern’s most elegant restaurant, the Grill on the Green. He’s a serious foodie, though you couldn’t tell it to look at him. Charlie is as skinny as a rail. Evelyn owns the Cobbled Court Quilt Shop. It’s located just a hop, skip, and a jump from For the Love of Lavender, my herbal gift shop. We know Charlie and Evelyn from various community and Chamber of Commerce gatherings, but not well, not enough so you could call us friends. After all these months, we still haven’t made any close friends in New Bern. We’ve got to make more of an effort in that regard.
    Evelyn and Charlie have recently returned from their honeymoon in Ireland. Not that they told us this personally—but New Bern is a small town. News travels fast.
    â€œThe waitress says congratulations are in order,” Evelyn said. “How many years is it?”
    â€œThirty-four,” Lee replied.
    Charlie whistled in admiration. “Good for you! I hope we’ll be able to say the same someday, and that when we do, we’re both still able to walk.”
    â€œI’m sure you will,” I said. “You look young and healthy enough.”
    â€œBeing married to Evelyn is making me feel younger every day.” Charlie beamed as he turned to Evelyn and gave her a loud smack on the lips.
    â€œBehave yourself,” Evelyn said, though not with any real conviction.
    â€œWhy? I never have before.”
    The door to the café opened and Jake Kaminski, owner of Kaminski’s Hardware, came in. Jake is a big man, tall but trim, with broad shoulders and a long stride, the kind of guy people call a “man’s man,” though he’s pretty popular with the ladies. Jake was a year ahead of me in school. He did a tour in Vietnam and has a glass eye to prove it. Even so, Jake is considered the most eligible bachelor in New Bern.
    Jake lifted his hand when he spotted our group and walked toward the table.
    â€œYou’re back! Can I get a kiss from the bride?” He gave Evelyn a big bear hug and a peck on the cheek. “How was the honeymoon?”
    â€œIdyllic. Ireland is so beautiful. And Charlie’s family was just wonderful. His sisters are just the kindest, sweetest women in the world.”
    Jake looked at Charlie and raised his left eyebrow. “Sweet? Really?” He winked at Evelyn. “You sure they’re Charlie’s sisters, related to him by blood and all?”
    Charlie grinned. “Oh, yes. Grania, Maura, and I share the Donnelly DNA. The girls are carbon copies of my dear old dad, the kindest, most soft-spoken man in the county. Whereas I take after my mother, the woman who nagged him to an early grave.”
    Jake slapped him on the back and laughed. “Ah, Charlie, I’ve missed you. Welcome home. You both look