Coming Home To Texas. Allie Pleiter

and Dottie had married two weeks after high school graduation in a big affair by Martins Gap standards. Ellie had been a starry-eyed bridesmaid in the ceremony. Of course, after working in the Atlanta food industry, her idea of a big wedding was now a lot more elaborate than Ted and Dottie’s VFW Hall reception. To Martins Gap, Derek’s and her plans would have felt slick and sophisticated. Ellie put on her “I’m making the best of it” face and sighed. “Well, at least the invitations hadn’t gone out yet.” Those were sitting in a box back in her Atlanta apartment awaiting a stuffing-and-stamping-and-pizza-and-movie night that would have been next month with Katie, Derek, and Derek’s brother and best man, Clark. Another casualty lying by the side of the road waiting to be cleaned up.

      For a startled second she wondered if GoodEats had issued a press release. What an odd field public relations was in the restaurant world, where people were promoted as much as the food or the decor. “It’s kind of a big mess right now.”

      “I am sorry. Must feel good to come back home for a spell.”

      Ellie could only shrug. “I’ll let you know.” Being on the ranch was one thing. Being out and about in Martins Gap felt like quite another. Everyone was friendly, but she couldn’t help feeling on display knowing she was the object of whispers. Ellie changed the subject. “How are Ted and the kids?”