by Krystle

Created on: September 02, 2008

"This is it," the innkeeper, Donna, said as she unlocked the door. She seemed somewhat intimidated by Abby's presence in her modest inn, and hardly dared looked at Abby in the eye. She showed Abby in. "It's not much, but you can always ask us if there's anything you need."

Abby smiled kindly. "It's perfect," she said. "Thank you." She took in the surroundings; the light blue wallpaper, the dark blue bed sheets, and the floral curtains. It was all lovely, warm, and austere. The bathroom was at the opposite of the bed. She rolled her luggage in the room behind her, and left it next to the bed.

Donna, who was a woman of early 50s, was grateful as she accepted the tip. "Would you like some brunch?" she asked. "I could have someone prepare and deliver it up here. You must be hungry after that long drive."

"It's OK," Abby replied. "Thank you, anyway, but I have to go somewhere."

"Oh, yes," Donna said, suddenly looking grave. "Yes, I heard about that," she mumbled, looking to the floor. "Well, if there's anything I can do for you, please just ask me, my dear."

Abby thanked her again, feeling uncomfortable that even the innkeeper knew why she was here, in Blue River. "I'm just going to unpack, and then head out, OK?"

"Of course," Donna said, handing over the keys to the room. She turned to leave, but turned back before she was completely out of sight. "Oh, and by the way, welcome home."

Abby closed the door, and sat down on her bed. It had been almost seven years since she stepped foot in this town- her hometown. The night she left had been a flurry of events. It was the night that changed her entire life. She left home for New York, after word that her unsolicited novel draft got picked up by a publisher. After that, she stayed there, where she felt more at home than anywhere else. She was 18.

Now, at 25, she had three best-selling novels under her belt, and wrote a newspaper column for one of New York's best papers. She was engaged to a man she had known almost her whole life, and life couldn't get any better for her.

Abby interrupted her own train of thought, and started to unpack, realising that she was indeed very hungry. She left the inn and got in her car, parking in front of the local diner. Hot Spring. She couldn't believe that it was still here, after all those years. It hadn't changed one bit. She smiled at the thought.

"One chocolate chip and marshmallow bagel, please," she ordered at the counter. "And a mocha latte to go."

"Sure thing," the guy behind

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