Sadie's POV

True to Chad's word, 45 minutes later and a quick drive on the north side of the town there was a small dirt road that headed up to my cabin. MY cabin! I was squealing in excitement. I felt like some 5-year-old girl that was told they could stay up late and get ice cream.

I parked right out front, but not even a few seconds later I see a black SUV pull up and a few sasquatch men come out. Why is everyone so TALL!? Must be a genetic thing, their gene pool around here must have that since no one ever leaves.

I stood by my jeep, feeling really small at this point and man in his mid-20's steps onto the gravel.

"Sorry to intrude on you miss, we just don't get many new people in town." He saunters over.

"You are the mayor?" He chuckles as well as the other men there. Apparently, I didn't get the joke.

"Yes, I am. I'm Mayor Adrien Blane. Welcome to Pineville Creek. He sticks out his hand for me to shake. I take his hand and he give me a once look over. I'm not sure if he is doing it because he likes me or is trying to get a feel if I am a danger to his town or not.

"I'm sorry, if I had known you all were so protective of town I would have called and let you know of my arrival. I knew people didn't move to the area much but didn't know that would be a problem."

"It's no problem, miss?" Oh, right, I never gave him my name.

"I'm sorry, its Sadie, Sadie Summers. My Aunt was Maria Holbrooke."

Everyone started looking at one another and a moment of grief passed through their eyes. Had they known her? They are close to my age if they had known her then it must have been when they were much younger, or possibly their parents knew her?

"Miss Sadie," Mayor Adrien said, "you said, was, is she no longer with us?" I stared at the ground, trying not to let any tears fall. I've gotten pretty good the past 2 weeks not crying in front of people anymore.

"She passed away, 2 weeks ago. She's always been sick, since as long as I can remember." I said solemnly.

"May I ask, what happened?" He looked genuinely concerned and hurt. If a stranger would ask me that, how she died, I would have told them it was none of their business. However, he seems like he knows her, and I need to make friends anyway. So, I told him,

"She died of a broken heart."

We talked for a few minutes more, mostly about the town and the facilities. He told me over and over how welcome I was and if I had any problems to contact him with the card he gave me. I honestly felt very welcomed and I no longer had that uneasy feeling like I did back at the motel.

I grabbed my bags an a few boxes from the back of the jeep and headed inside. This place was going to need a lot of love and care to get it back to its original glory.

There was furniture, however it wasn't properly stored. Dust, animal droppings, spiders, bugs and I really hope there weren't any other nasty little critters somewhere like snakes. I shiver at the thought.

It was only noon, so I headed into town to pick up some supplies with money that I had received from Maria's life insurance policy before I left. I could probably live off of it for a few years if I really wanted to.

Once my cleaning supplies and some food to stuff in the fridge was bought, I decided I was too lazy to go home and cook something so I decided the local diner would be best. I could get a feel for the town and how the people are. Are they all insanely large and tall?! Some men were beastly huge with raging muscles.

Good thing I started running a few months ago, keeping in shape was a big trend around here.

I didn't feel scared, just amazed how everyone in this town take great care of themselves as well as the community. Not a speck of trash on the grown to be seen.

I opened to the door to the diner and I knew something was off. There were several customers complaining, there were kids screaming, plates crashing in the background and no hostess to be found. The whole atmosphere was a hot, sticky mess.

The hostess was running back and forth between the kitchen and the tables, it looked like they were down servers. She took a glance over at me and yelled, "I'll be with you in a minute!" She quickly ran away flustered.

I could just walk away right now. I was not wanting to start a job so soon after working for so many years. Finally have a break from working all the time and not experiencing life. I was ready to try new things and take a start at a new life away from working so hard.

I internally sighed. You know, I would probably get bored staying at the cabin and doing stuff on my own anyway. I can't be scared of a town that might not accept a stranger. This might be my way of finding new friends.

After my internal battle, I decided I was going to help.

The hostess ran back to her stand, sweating and fidgeting with the menus. She was looking down when she said, "Just one today? Or are you waiting for friends?" As soon as she looked up I saw the confusion in her face. She's never seen me before and probably doesn't deal that much with people from out of town.

I smiled at her and held out my hand, "Hi, I'm Sadie, I just moved here today. Don't worry, I talked with your Mayor and he said I could." Might be best to share that information so people would be OK with the idea someone moving into this town.

She stared off into space for a moment but quickly shook her head and looked up at me. "Oh, well welcome! Just one menu then?" I can tell she is in a rush so I just get down to the point.

"Listen, is your manager here? Ya'll seem short staffed, and I've got some experience waiting tables and I'm more than happy to help out. No need to pay me or anything, just wanting to help. I understand how it can be being short staffed."

She glared at me. She glared at me! It was like I was a puzzle she was trying to figure out. "Listen, I'm not trying to upset you, I'm just trying to help. I've got 8 years of experience."

As if out of nowhere, a girl about my age walks up with a name page of "Rebecca" and manager written underneath. Rebecca looks exhausted. Her auburn hair is out of place, her mascara was smudged and sweat was dripping from her brow. Her voice had sounded almost defeated when she spoke.

"I will take any help you can give me."

With that, I smiled. Like a genuine smile. I feel like I might get some friends here after all.

Wait a minute, I didn't even ask if I could help. She just knew. Maybe she heard from the back?

The noise from the diner was not getting any better. So, I'll dismiss it for now.

"Give me your notes from your orders, I'll take care of the rest," I directed the hostess. "I'm Lela and thank you. Truly." She smiled and let go of my arm she was gently holding. I nodded and got to work.

Luckily the tables were numbered, and Lela had done a great job of organizing her notebook. I got several stares and questionable looks but that didn't deter them from ordering and finally being happy with their service. I was the only waitress in the diner, and I worked my tables quickly, carefully and full of personality just like I used to at my old job.

Unlike my old job, however, there was never really a lull or break in between meals. It as a constant steady flow as people got off certain shifts from work. There was also no payment take from the tables. Rebecca told me that the hostess takes care of it at the beginning of the meal. Strange, but OK I suppose considering everyone knows everyone in this town and I guess they just have their own system. Made my job easier not having to get change and payment.

As lunch went to dinner and finally just after 8pm things started to die down. I could really start to feel the pain in my feet. I couldn't remember the last time I even sat down let alone use the restroom. As the last customer left around 8:20pm Rebecca and Lela came to me as I bussed my last table.

"Sadie, I just want to say thank you. I'm not sure how we all would have done it without you today." It almost looked like Rebecca wanted to cry, she looked defeated and depressed. Failure was written all over her face.

"Rebecca, it happens in this line of work. You will have bad days as well as the people you work with. It will get better. At least there is business to be had, I haven't worked that hard in a long time!"

"Yeah, it is always like that. We are the center of town and people come here for 3 meals a day usually."

"That's insane." I whispered. People usually go out to eat as a treat at my old job, not every single meal! They both sat down in the booth with me with the weary look in their eyes.

"Our town is different Sadie, I'm sure you can already tell." I nodded.

"Right now, I'm actually on an internship for management, I'm supposed to be running it for a few months. Some people think I got the internship under "special circumstances." She put in air quotes. 3 of or waitresses called in sick today just to make me sweat. I'm simply happy Lela stayed."

Lela puffed out her chest. "I will always stay by your side Rebecca! You uh, manage well!" Rebecca smiled and grabbed her hand to hold. They looked like great friends and I was happy to see them a bit relieved after today's events.

After a moment I finally spoke, "Listen, I wasn't planning on getting a job at a diner again, but I would really love to help. It seems you both are in a bind and I can help out as much as I can, if you want me to that is." I looked back in forth between them.

"We would absolutely love your help Sadie!" Rebecca squealed. That was the most energetic thing come out of her mouth since I arrived here so the shock of it startled me. "But, if you don't want to, we understand."

Tilted my head to the side and questioned, "What do you mean, I just offered my help?"

"Well, I'm just management, I am not in charge of payment and signing of checks really... we also don't accept tips from the customers." Rebecca's voice had trailed off. I have never heard of that. At one point when I was manager I took care of payroll and hiring people but I guess each restaurant is different. I've got plenty of money to take care of myself with, doing some good for the community might get me in their good graces anyway.

"Rebecca, Lelah," I started, "I will stay as long as you need me." My heart warmed at their smiles. Lelah jumped up and spoke, "Oh, I think the three of us will become the greatest of friends!"

"I certainly hope so!" I said with a laugh.