The Sheriff Of Wickham Falls

Seth laughed under his breath. “So, you’re not one of those women who eat like a bird because they’re monitoring everything that goes into their mouth?”

Natalia rolled her eyes upward. “That’s sexist, Seth. There are men who also are just as finicky when it comes to their diets. And do I look anorexic to you?”

Seth knew he’d put his proverbial foot in his mouth and had to be careful taking it out. “Um...no. I’m sorry I mentioned it.”

“How much weight I gain or lose has never been a concern of mine. There were occasions when I worked eighteen hours in the ER that I’d take time out to drink a smoothie or grab a salad because it saved time. But whenever I had several days off I’d make all of my favorite dishes and sit down like a normal person to enjoy my meals.”

“I suppose all of that will change now that you’ll be working with Dr. Franklin.”

* * *

Natalia nodded. Her entire life had changed since leaving Philadelphia. “Yes, it will.” She opened the menu binder and perused the selections. “What do you recommend?”

Seth pointed to the chalkboard on the opposite wall. “Everything’s good, but I usually order the day’s special.”

She glanced at the board. “I’m going to order the smothered chicken with steamed cabbage and rice.” Natalia paused. “How’s the white bean soup with ham?”

He smiled. “It’s excellent. You must have been reading my mind because I was going to start out with a cup.”

Natalia closed the binder. “I’m also going to have one.”

Sharleen returned with her water and Seth’s club soda, and took their dining selections. Minutes later, she came back with their soup. The mouthwatering aroma wafting from the cup was a blatant reminder of how long it had been since Natalia had eaten breakfast.

She took a spoonful and closed her eyes. When she opened them she found Seth smiling at her. “You’re right. It is delicious.”

“Everything they make here is incredible and that’s why the Den has managed to survive after so many years when restaurants in other towns have gone out of business.”

“Good food and the fact that there are no fast-food restaurants around here,” Natalia said once she swallowed another mouthful of the soup made with navy beans and pieces of smoked ham.

“Fast food notwithstanding, if the Den didn’t offer palatable dishes it wouldn’t have survived.”

“What about Ruthie’s?” Natalia asked.

Seth picked up his spoon. “Ruthie’s is good if you’re looking for variety. And because what they offer is not processed and prepared daily, it is much healthier than fast food. Another good thing is the owners of Ruthie’s and the Den donate all leftovers to our soup kitchen.”

“There’s a soup kitchen here in Wickham Falls?”

“Yes. It’s a part of the church’s outreach.”

Seth gave Natalia a steady stare. “Poor farming techniques and the loss of jobs to mechanization in the mining industry have led to out-migration, and coupled with that, Appalachia has always had a problem with tax revenue and absentee land ownership has left many counties with hard-core pockets of poverty.”

She lowered her eyes. “I suppose I’m going to have to study up on the history of my new state.”

“You may not have to study too hard because I’m willing to bet your patients will give you an earful. Everyone has a tale to tell about their grandmother or grandpappy.”

Natalia finished her soup and laced her fingers together on the Formica tabletop. “How was it for you growing up here?”

Seth closed his eyes as a dreamy expression flitted over his features. “It was great. I didn’t realize we were poor because there was always food on the table and a roof over our heads.”

Sharleen set their orders on the table and over dinner, Natalia listened to Seth talk about three generations of Collier men working in the mines until his father was forced to choose another vocation once the mines began closing down. She pretended interest in the food on her plate because each time she glanced up, she found Seth staring at her.

“Dad’s number came up in the draft several months after he graduated high school. Once he returned to The Falls, he hired himself out as a handyman, extending credit to those unable to pay in full. Folks called on him to repair a leaky roof, busted pipes and rewire their home. Even though we had a little more than many other families my mother drummed it into our heads that we were no better than those who bought their food with government-issued stamps, or kids that wore hand-me-downs.

“I started going with Dad to his jobs once I entered high school. He wanted me to work with him after I graduated, while my mother insisted I go to college. It was the only time I witnessed my parents arguing with each other. I decided to enlist and have the military pay for my college education. I managed to give both my parents what they wanted when I earned a degree in criminal justice and whenever I came home on leave I’d spend that time helping Dad.”

Natalia took a sip of water. “That sounds like a win-win for everyone.”

Seth nodded. “Yes, it was. Enough talk about me and my family. Have your brother or sister made you an auntie?”

“My brother has. He and his wife became parents for the second time last year. My sister just celebrated her second wedding anniversary a couple of months ago, and she and her husband have decided to wait a few years before they start a family.”

“Are you one of those aunties that spoil their nieces or nephews?”

“I will when they’re old enough. My nieces are still too young for them to help me bake cookies or have sleepovers.”

“Speaking of cooking, what do you plan to make tomorrow?”