You know how people talk about how they visited a Hallmark movie town? Well I can’t imagine any of them fit that description more than Caney Creek. The old courthouse sits in the center of downtown like the entire town was built around it. It’s not massive, but incredibly charming. Old buildings line the streets surrounding the court house. There are black iron street lights dotting the c-shaped area that have patriotic banners hanging from them. I pass a bakery, a restaurant and a bookstore before my GPS tells me I’ve arrived. I pull around the corner and park in the alleyway behind the building as Theodore Bakeman had instructed. I turn off the engine and take a deep breath. I’m equally excited for my week-long getaway, anxious to be somewhere new by myself and somehow relaxed just by the few minutes I’ve spent in this tiny town. 

I grab my stuff and walk around to the door leading up to the apartment. If this was anywhere else, it would be nerve wracking to enter from the alleyway but Caney Creek feels like a modern day Mayberry so I have zero concern for my safety. I lug my suitcase up the old wooden stairs and pause for a few breaths once I reach the top. The apartment looks just how it was in the photos. The living room has a worn, deep red couch and a mismatched old sitting chair with faded floral fabric situated along the front wall. A small tv sits in a wooden tv stand in the corner. The kitchenette has a small laminate counter with a sink, microwave, keurig coffee maker, and a small retro refrigerator. I turn to see the bedroom and find a full sized bed covered in what looks to be a homemade quilt of various colors, an old wooden dresser, a matching night stand with a lamp sitting atop it. I could live here, I think. It’s picturesque. The whole town. I love it. 

Part of me wants to sit and just enjoy this sweet little home but I also haven’t eaten aside from the protein bar I grabbed heading out the door on my way here. It was past six in Caney Creek, an hour ahead of Nashville, so I set down my stuff and head back out the door in search of food. Thankfully, I don’t have to go far, I walk down the street, past The Caney Book Nook then find myself outside Caney Kitchen. Sure, I could drive into Cannonsville for more exciting options but honestly, it’s been an exhausting day and I just want to eat and get back to the apartment for a quiet night. 

Inside, the restaurant is pretty busy and I note the sign to seat yourself. I look around and decide to grab the booth nearest the counter. The decor is a mix of old, original looking elements like the floor, the bartop counter, the ornate metal ceiling tiles. But it’s mixed with modern pieces too, like the industrial pendant lights hanging over tables, string lights over the bar and a few tvs playing various sports randomly placed throughout. I pick up a menu, trying to decide what I want to eat. 

“Hi darlin’, my name’s Stella. How ya doin’?” Her accent is thick and it warms my heart. I look up and Stella is very much fitting. Her short hair is big and that white blond color, she looks like she could be related to Dolly Parton. She’s wearing a short sleeve white button up and black slacks with a red diner apron that matches her lipstick. 

“I’m good, Stella. Thank you!” I reply. “Can I get a water, please?” 

“Sure, sugar. Are you waitin’ on anyone? Or are you ready to order too? If not, I can come back.” She scans the busy restaurant as she talks, then looks back to me, smiling. 

“Nope, just me. And I’m ready. Can I have the turkey burger with fries, please?” I smile back. 

“Sure thing. I’ll have it out for you here soon. Just know we’re a little busier than normal tonight, it’s the last weeks of summer so we’re full up with out of towners like yourself.” She smiles again and I want to ask her to be my adoptive grandma. But that’s obviously weird so I keep that thought to myself. She walks away and I glance down at my phone. 

“Excuse me…” A voice startles me as I’m lazily scrolling social media. My eyes go wide and my brain is on high alert but then I remember where I am. It’s probably just a tourist with a question. 

“I know this might sound odd but I was wondering if I could possibly sit here? To eat? It’s just me and the only open seats are at the bar but there’s something kind of sad about that and I was hoping you might be nice enough to let me eat with you.” He asks. 

My mouth is wide open and I’m sure I have an unattractive look of confusion on my face. Because speaking to me is an incredibly handsome man. Men like this don’t talk to me. His smile alone makes me think this is all a dream. He’s tall with dark brown, almost black hair just long enough to know that it’s curly. His eyes are a warm amber brown and his voice is deep with a hint of an accent. But it oddly almost sounded like he was trying to have a southern accent. 

“You know what, I’m sorry. I can go sit at the bar.” he starts to turn and I blurt out “No! It’s ok, you can sit. Of course.” Today really is a day where I do things normal Emma wouldn’t do. Like inviting attractive strangers to eat dinner with her. 

He sits down and flashes another gorgeous smile, “I’m Alex Black.” Then reaches out his hand and I slowly raise mine, “Emma Philips” I offer and shake his hand. 

“Thanks for taking pity on me.” he jokes. “It really does make me sad to eat alone at a bar top. I’ve been here for a week now and I’ve done it a few times. Thank you for sparing me from that tonight.” 

“And you’re by yourself?” I ask. Desperately trying to act like a normal, sociable person. The reality is, I am very introverted. I can be outgoing when I need to be and somewhat enjoy those moments. But casual small talk like this, almost like a date, is painful. “I mean, how long is your stay?” 

He lets out a low chuckle and it warms my insides. “I’m a country songwriter and I booked a cabin for a month or so to have a quiet place to focus. I’ve been here about a week now and it’s honestly lonelier than I expected.” He picks up a menu “Are you visiting too? I don’t think I’ve seen you in here before.” he looks into my eyes before glancing down to the menu. 

There’s something about him that makes me instantly feel seen. It’s oddly disarming. Normally, I’d think he’s just playing me, and maybe he is, but tonight I let myself believe a man like him could be genuinely interested in me or at least just nice. “Yep, I just got in a little bit ago. Staying for a week.” 

“Very cool. Are you from nearby?” He sets down the menu. 

“From Nashville.” I start then Stella walks up with my food and sets it on the table, looking over at Alex. 

“I see you found a friend.” She smirks. “What you havin’ tonight, Alex?” she asks, grabbing her notepad from her apron. 

“Can I the turkey BLT tonight, Stella? No side.” he smiles. 

“I’ll have it out for you soon, darlin’”. She nods “And I’ll bring ya a water.” then walks off. 

“So Nashville. What do you do there?” he asks. And Stella re-appears with water, setting it in front of him, then walking off again. 

“I’m the Creative Manager for Reverie Records” I say on autopilot before my brain catches up to reality. But it’s not worth correcting myself. This guy doesn’t care that I just quit my job on an angry whim. 

“That’s incredible! Wow. I’m eating with label royalty.” He smiles but I know he’s joking. And again, I don’t correct him. I just take a bite of my burger. 

He fills the space by talking about the industry and name dropping occasionally. It’s a little obnoxious but it eases up once Stalla drops off his food. 

I finish eating and Stella leaves my bill. “You don’t have to stay while I finish eating. I’ll be ok.” He smiles and takes a huge bite. 

“It’s ok. I wanted to finish my water anyway.” I give a small smile. And take a sip. It’s not everyday a man this good looking is in my company, I’ll enjoy it. 

He talks about his plans for the following day between bites and jokes that one of the days he wants to do all of the touristy things. Just go all in. I learn he’s really funny. Like cry laughing, funny. This man is the dream. 

We both pay our bills and as I get up to leave he gives me another beautiful smile, “See you here tomorrow, Miss Emma?” he drawls. 

I am not prepared for his level of suave. Men don’t talk to me like this. I have no idea how to respond. “I guess? I haven’t found anywhere else to eat yet so I’ll at least be back for breakfast.” 

“Well I hope I’ll see you then. Have a goodnight.” Then with that he stands and strides out the door. I feel a giddy laugh bubbly up but refuse to let it out. I just take the last sip of my water, pretend to straighten out the jean shorts I had changed into and walk out the door. 

Back inside my cozy apartment, I change into sweats and collapse onto the couch. I immediately text my best friend Deena about dinner. We met in college and yes, we talked for a solid hour of my drive here. Updating her on my day, my life, my lack of job. 

She immediately texts back. “You have a last name? I need to research.” I groan. I’ve always disliked looking people up on socials but Deena is an expert. And I can’t let her skills go to waste. “Black. Alex Black.” I respond. Less than a minute later, my phone goes off and his beautiful, angular face fills my screen. “Yes, that’s him.” and include an array of emojis conveying just how beautiful he is. 

We spend the rest of the night discussing my new crush and I turn on reruns of The Office.