A/N: Another set of interesting reviews! I'll just leave it at that ;)

Gone

Chapter 3: Anna Blue

1422 Local

Monarch Mercantile

Whitefish, MT

The little downtown shop was quaint, warm, and smelled of vanilla and cinnamon. It was a favorite for tourists, having a unique blend of tasteful Montana-themed souvenirs, antiques, and home décor. There was also a counter where one could purchase various coffees and teas along with pastries that were delivered every morning from a local bakery.

In the last five months or so, the local traffic in the store had increased and the shop's owner, Mary Scott, credited one person for that. Her name was Samantha; she was sweet, beautiful, and quiet, always had a kind word for her customers, and in general was beloved by everyone who met her.

She'd arrived in town one summer day, when Mary had been overwhelmed with not one, but two tour busses of senior citizens, the 'Help Wanted' sign in the window having been strangely ignored since she'd put it out three weeks before.

As soon as Samantha had walked into the shop, Mary realized why no one had taken her up on her offer of employment. She'd been waiting for this woman who had jumped in and helped her even though she was as yet unfamiliar with the store. Mary hired her on the spot and never had cause to regret it.

Samantha didn't talk much about her past, only that she'd recently ended a relationship of seven years and had decided to leave her home on the east coast, it being too painful to stay there. She'd searched for a place entirely different from where she'd been and had settled on northwest Montana.

Mary Scott was no fool. She knew there was more to Samantha O'Hara's story than she was telling. One only had to look into the depths of those huge amber-colored eyes to know that there were deeper issues afoot, but Mary sensed that at the core, her story held truth, and Mary decided she would do what she could to lift the cloud of sadness that drifted around the younger woman like a shroud.

Mary had been marginally successful. Sam, as she liked to be called, smiled more now, even laughed, but on certain days she was obviously melancholy. Though she remained friendly and professional with every customer, she barely spoke to her employer and could be seen brushing tears away when she thought no one was looking. Mary tried to be extra kind to her on those days, even offered to let her go home early, but Sam never took her up on that. Sam had never taken a vacation either, but then again, she'd only worked there for five months.

Currently Sam was manning the coffee counter. Mary had to stifle a laugh as she watched two local teenaged boys watch Sam adoringly as she made them coffees that seemed too fancy for fifteen-year olds. Sam really was more than beautiful; she had an exotic appearance and was tall and willowy, with dark chestnut hair that shone as it cascaded just past her shoulders. She'd grown her hair longer since she'd arrived here, and it suited her.

The two boys thanked Sam profusely for their coffees, raving about the taste and even about their hotness. Sam surreptitiously winked at Mary and this time Mary did chuckle out loud. She decided it was time to get her own cup of coffee, thankful that she'd finally trained Sam to not make the coffee so strong. She knew that on occasion, Sam made herself one of those extra-strength brews, and Mary wondered how she survived them. But as long as she herself didn't have to drink them…

"Can I get you something, Mary?" Sam looked up from the counter she was currently wiping down.

"Nah, I can get it. Do we have any of those orange scones left from this morning?" Mary asked as she poured herself a cup. Sam smiled as she pulled a plate out from under the counter.

"Saved you one."

"You're a lifesaver."

Sam waved the praise away and continued tidying up the area, grabbing a stack of dishes to put them back up into the cupboard.

Mary studied her employee as she gracefully moved about the small area. "No, really, Sam, I don't know what I'd do without you."

Sam blushed a light shade of pink. "Well, the feeling is mutual." The two women smiled at each other for a few beats until a family of tourists came in, and the two women needed to return to their duties.

1801 Local

Monarch Mercantile

Whitefish, MT

"Well, I think that about does it."

Sam looked up at her boss. "It was a good day today."

Mary smiled at her. "Yes, it was. Almost as busy as it will be after Thanksgiving."

"Was it? That'll be fun."

Mary raised an eyebrow at her. "Fun? We'll see. It gets pretty crazy around the Christmas season."

Sam shrugged. "I like to be busy. Why don't you head out, Mary? I'll lock up."

"You closed last night. I can handle this. Go on, go home." Mary didn't want to take advantage of Sam; the woman was all too willing to work beyond what she was hired for.

"Really, Mary. Besides, I know Dan is coming home tonight." Dan was Mary's husband of thirty-three years, who had recently gone to Billings on business.

Mary was obviously thinking about that now. Eventually, she nodded, giving Sam a wide grin. "Okay…I'll go this time…but, next time…"

Sam laughed. "You know I don't mind. Now get out of here."

Mary made to head to the back to grab her things. She was halfway there when she turned around and gazed piercingly at Sam, who immediately started to squirm. "What, Mary?"

"You need to get out more, Samantha."

"I get out." Sam never liked when the conversation turned personal.

"Sure, you do. You know, Dan works with a couple of nice guys."

This was not the first time Mary had mentioned those 'couple of nice guys'. "No, thank you, Mary."

"But— "

"I said no, Mary. Drop it."

Mary was clearly taken aback at Sam's tone and Sam was instantly contrite.

"Oh, Mary…I'm sorry…it's just, I can't…" She felt the tears coming on and it embarrassed her. She turned away.

Soon, she felt Mary's presence beside her and then the older woman's arm went about her shoulders. "No, Sam…I'm sorry. I shouldn't push. But Sam…" She stopped speaking, apparently waiting for Sam to look at her. Finally, she obliged. "Sam…when, if, you're ever ready, you can tell me anything and everything, alright?"

It was tempting, but not now. Everything, even after these five months, was still too raw. Eventually, she just nodded, and Mary left her after giving her a final squeeze.

Sam watched her boss go, tramping down on the tears that wanted to flow, then went about closing the shop.

1910 Local

Sam's House

Whitefish, MT

Sam unlocked the door to her rental and stepped inside. Her cat, Nicodemus, wove himself about her legs, meowing, begging for his supper. The grey-striped creature came from a humane society in Kalispell. She hadn't intended to get a cat, hadn't intended to get any pet, but as she walked by the little pet fair in front of a small strip mall, Nicodemus let out a cry and jumped from the worker's arms and into Sam's. The little cat looked her deep in the eyes, and the next thing she knew, she was driving back to Whitefish with the cat curled on the front passenger seat of her used Subaru, with a litter box, litter, cat food, and other supplies.

The had proven to be a comfort and had kept her company through many sleepless nights.

Once she had Nic fed, she stepped into her bedroom, intent on changing into her workout clothes for a run on her treadmill. She realized as she stepped into the bathroom where she usually hung up them up after exercising that she had thrown the clothes into the wash this morning. She circled back to the bedroom and pulled open the appropriate drawer, taking out a new set. She intended to close the drawer back up, but the little box in the back corner, almost hidden under a sports bra, called to her again and this time she succumbed to temptation.

She set the box on her dresser and hesitated before opening the lid, first running her finger over the delicate filigree trim. He'd told her when he'd given it to her that he had no idea why he put back the earrings he was going to get her for her birthday that year and got her the box instead, but there it was. He was embarrassed, she was in tears. Her grandmother had had an identical box on her bedroom vanity and the little girl she used to be had spent hours opening and closing it, taking out the treasures inside and putting them back in. The box was lost after her grandmother died, and though she would never know if this particular box was the same one, she treasured it. It was one of the only things she'd brought with her when she'd moved.

Finally, Sam lifted the lid and set the little velvet bag containing her other grandmother's pearl earrings aside. The bag was covering a folded up picture, and with trembling fingers, she lifted it out and opened it. She stepped back to the bed, sitting down at the foot of it to study the photograph she'd tried to leave behind.

His blue-green (or were they green-grey?) eyes smiled out at her, those perfect lips set in that beautiful grin of his. She traced the border of his face with her finger, brushing the tear aside that had dripped off her nose and landed on him. The sobs came then, sobs of grief and frustration. Why couldn't she forget him? Let him go?

It had been nearly eight months.

She should be over this by now.

She shouldn't still miss him.

It shouldn't still hurt like this.

She threw the picture away from her and wept into her hands.

End Chapter 3