“So,” Cree began. “What’s the plan there? When are you going to talk to Cindy about Karl?”
“Not anytime soon, if ever,” Vanessa replied.
Janae jumped in before Vanessa had a chance to elaborate. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Last night’s bad weather screwed up her travel plans. She’s on some sort of business trip that was supposed to include her stopping off in Boston for some important meeting yesterday. Well, her meeting got pushed back to next week. She’s staying in Boston until then.”
Janae’s eyebrow popped up. “And you’re waiting an entire week just to talk to her?”
“No,” Vanessa replied as she slid down into her chair, groaning as she remembered her predicament. “My car decided now was the right time to have some electrical problems. Your town mechanic can’t get the part until next week. So I’m stuck here.”
Cree cleared her throat before taking a sip of her soda. “And you’re staying with Michael until you get your car back?”
“Or until one of you graciously offers to take me home so I don’t have to be stuck in Mayberry any longer.”
Janae narrowed her eyes and pointed a fry at her. “I done told you about bagging on our town. It serves you right you have to stay here while your car is repaired. And even if I wanted to—and to be clear, I don’t—I couldn’t drive you home, anyway. I took off to hang at the festival with my kid and as a result, I’m working back-to-back shifts at the start of the week.”
Vanessa tipped her chin in Cree’s direction. “What about you? Take pity on me and drive me home.”
Cree shook her head. “No can do. I don’t do long-distance driving.”
“It’s less than a couple of hours away. It’s not like I’m asking you to drive to New Mexico.”
Cree’s features softened, even though she continued to shakeher head no. “I love you, Vanessa. But not even for you would I do it. Derrick drove all the way to Philly and back. Otherwise, I’d have hopped my happy hips on the Martz bus. Can’t you just hire a service or a rental to get you home?”
Frustration bubbled up again. “I tried while we were at the flower shop this morning. They either don’t travel out this far, they don’t have any cars available because of this stupid festival, or they’re booked. It’s like the universe is working against me to keep me stranded here.”
She took an unladylike bite out of her burger and sulked as she chewed. It was ridiculous that a person of her means couldn’t find a way out of this place.
“Well,” Janae spoke up. “Maybe the universe is trying to tell you to sit back, relax, and stay awhile. It would probably serve you better to listen than fight it.” She smiled widely, sharing a conspiratorial smirk with Cree.
“Besides, you get to stay here and have some fun with us. That should be more than an incentive to get you to enjoy your stay. That”—she turned to Vanessa with just a bit of deviousness coloring her dark eyes—“and the pretty man you’re shacked up with for the duration.”
“Ladies, I’ve already told you—”
Janae reached across the table, laying her hand on top of Vanessa’s. It was soft, yet firm. Meant to act as a source of comfort and a reprimand all at the same time.
“Vanessa, for the two years we’ve known you, you’ve worked hard to get beyond your past. For once, instead of everything being so heavy and serious, do something completely unexpected. Flirt, be open to whatever possibilities that present themselves. No one’s saying you have to marry him. Still, I don’t see why you can’t have a whole lot of fun while you do some good here and blow up Karl’s con.”
“Janae’s right, Vanessa. Both you and Michael are the mostresponsible people I’ve ever known. The two of you deserve some fun. If the universe is presenting this opportunity, why not take it?”
Her mind began turning over their words. She’d been thinking hard about letting herself enjoy anything that happened between her and Michael. Maybe it was time she fully committed to it during her entire time in Monroe Hills.
Satisfied that she had enough information to make a decision, she raised her half-empty paper cup of strawberry milkshake and smiled at her friends. “To my unexpected vacation.”
They each raised their cups in solidarity and made a show of clinklessly tapping them with hers. “To your unexpected vacation,” they said in unison.
At least she wouldn’t have to talk to Cindy or see Karl. Depending on what day next week the mechanic had her car ready, if luck was on her side, she might just make it out of Dodge before they returned.
“So, ladies”—she beamed at the two of them—“what kind of fun do you have in this town?”
Michael watched as three familiar faces walked toward him with shopping bags on their arms, laughing and smiling as they stepped in unison.
“Afternoon, ladies,” he greeted all of them, but he couldn’t seem to pull his attention away from the woman in the middle as he spoke. “Seems like lunch was very productive.”
“It was,” Vanessa answered. “Since I didn’t bring enough clothes for my unintended extended stay, Janae suggested we hit the Commons to get me some festival-appropriate clothing, namely, some flat shoes.”
Michael narrowed his gaze. “You mean the Crossings?” She nodded her head at his correction.
