Page 42 of True

The town of Melody was not much more active than it had been the night before. There were

cars though, parked outside most of the businesses. Alec drove through town past the tavern. His

stomach rumbled when he saw the diner but he continued until he reached Buddy's Bodega. He parked

the snowmobile and dismounted, a little stiff from the trip but secretly thrilled that he had made it into town with relative ease. Placing the helmet on the seat, he climbed the salted steps and went into the store.

It was rustic, barely more modern than the one he had seen in episodes ofLittle House on the

Prairie. But it was neat and warm and Alec wiped his feet on the mat before entering farther.

"You must be Alec," said a voice from somewhere in the back.

Alec looked across the room and found a counter with a cash register in the rear. Standing

behind the counter were a man and a woman, smiling. They were dressed in jeans and flannel,

somewhat modern—more so than the world of Laura Ingalls Wilder. Mayberry, perhaps… orTwin

Peaks.

"I'm Buddy," said the man. "This is my wife, Marge."

As Alec approached he saw that Buddy was a little taller than he, clean-shaven, hair graying at

the temples. Marge was petite, ponytail wrapped in a bun, eyes ice blue but warm, and welcoming.

"I'm Alec," he said, crossing to them and extending his hand.

"Yes, yes. We know," said Marge. "We've heard all about you. Welcome to Melody."

"Tyler said that windbreaker had to go and I am afraid he's right," said Buddy.

Alec looked down at his attire. "Yeah. It's not really warm enough for the weather here."

"Don't you worry," said Buddy, coming out from behind the counter with a tailor's tape measure.

"We'll get you fixed up. Wool and flannel, that's what you need here, except the summer months." He lifted Alec's arm and began measuring.

"Thanks." He was not accustomed to such personal shopping, but he didn't mind. It was a far stretch from the Macy's at Pentagon City.

"Tyler said you'll be needing groceries too," Marge added, walking to the side of the store with dry goods and perishables. "I've already put together the essentials—coffee, milk, bread, eggs… but you'll have to let me know the things you like."

"Uh, that's very kind of you," Alec said, a little uncomfortably as Buddy measured his inseam.

"The muffins were delicious, by the way. Very thoughtful."

She blushed, waving her hand. "Nonsense. Tyler said you hadn't eaten since you left Washington.

Can't let you starve."

Alec let the couple continue to fuss over him. It was a little unnerving, but not at all

unwelcome… kind of nice.

"I should probably pick up a nice thank-you gift for Tyler. He's done so much for me in the last twenty-four hours."

"Oh, he wouldn't have it," said Buddy.