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complaining…” Tanner had the most beautiful green eyes I had ever seen. They were comforting and welcoming. “Any red blooded American man isn’t going to complain that a half naked, beautiful woman is dancing around in the kitchen.” He smiled and took a sip of his sweet tea.
     
    “I don’t know about beautiful. I am 39 years old. Things aren’t like they once were…” I said, again not knowing why I was telling a perfect stranger these things.
     
    “You think 39 is old? I beg to differ. Nothing to be ashamed of, Shannon. Trust me,” he whispered as he went back to eating.
     
    “So your Mom owns a diner?” I asked trying desperately to change the subject.
     
    “Yes, she owns a diner called ‘Fixin To Eat’ down on the square. You should try it some time. She makes the world’s best chicken and dumplings.”
     
    “That sounds so good. I miss Southern food. I was raised around it, but haven’t eaten like that in years,” I said as I soaked up some of the roast gravy with my biscuit.
     
    “Why did you stop eating Southern food?”
     
    “Well, John wasn’t from the South originally. He was from Chicago, and he hated Southern cooking. The only time I ate country cooking in our 18 years together was when he was on business trips with the law firm. I would sneak away and eat fried green tomatoes at a restaurant over near Stone Mountain,” I said laughing at the memory.
     
    “Sounds like Mr. Harris got his way a lot. What about you? Did you ever get your way?” he asked in a serious tone. Suddenly, I felt uncomfortable that this man wanted to know more about me and my life.
     
    “No, not really. John was a different breed. Let’s just leave it at that,” I said softly without looking up.
     
    We continued eating and talking about the farm and the house and our lives. I was surprised at how easy Tanner was to talk to. For only 35 years old, he was more mature and grounded than any man I had ever met.
     
    Deep inside, I could feel myself developing a little crush on this man. He was kind and sweet and gentle and easy to talk to. I realized quickly that a 39 year old woman whose abusive husband just died should not develop feelings for any man. I had already promised myself that I would never fall for a man again. I didn’t want another 18 year prison sentence.
     
    Now was my time to become self-sufficient and independent. It was my time to start over, and I was determined that my relationship with Tanner would be that of boss and employee only.
     
    “Would you like dessert? I have peach cobbler that my Mom sent home with me…” Tanner started.
     
    “Um, no, thanks… I really need to get going… to bed… I am so tired,” I said with a fake yawn as I backed toward the door. I know he could tell I was uncomfortable suddenly, but he would have no idea why.
     
    “Okay… Are you sure you’re okay? I didn’t say anything to make you…” he started to say with a look of concern on his face.
     
    “Oh, no, Tanner. This was perfect. Thank you so much for the warm welcome…” I said smiling and waving as I turned and walked back up the path to the main house.
     
     

Chapter 8
     
    I woke up the next morning in my new bedroom which was adorned in period looking wallpaper and the most Southern style of furniture I had ever seen. It was the best night of sleep I'd had in many years knowing that I was away from John and his reign of terror over my life. At the same time, the surroundings were no longer familiar to me. It was a different world with different players and a totally different landscape.

The feelings I had felt stirring in the pit of my stomach the night before were silenced as the dawn of a new day began. It was only 6 am, but I was ready to get up and take on the world. I walked downstairs into the kitchen after getting dressed in a pair of white capri pants and red tank top. I set up my coffee pot and started brewing a cup while I looked out over the beautiful