“Oh, well, I thought we’d eat at Wright’s Eatery.Is that all right with you?”
“Um, sure.Sounds good to me.”
Abby turned the conversation back to her friend’s house hunting.“Are you two planning to live in town?Or on the outskirts?”
“I really want to live in town.I like being able to walk everywhere in the nice weather.”
Abby nodded in understanding.“Does Reed feel the same way?”
“He does.After all, he’s used to living in a big city.”
The car slowed as Sadie looked for a parking spot.Cars lined both sides of the street.There were certainly a lot of people in town that evening.There wasn’t a parking spot to be had in that block, so Sadie drove to the next one.
“Did you hear what’s going on?”Abby asked.
“What?”At last Sadie pulled into a parking spot.
“There must be something big going on in town for there to be that many cars.Is there a band at the Eatery?”
“You know, I’m not sure.I’ve just been so busy between plans for the new newspaper office, the wedding, and now house hunting.It’s been a lot.”
Abby nodded again as she got out of the car.“I can’t even imagine.But with all of these cars, I doubt we’re going to get a table.”She met up with Sadie on the sidewalk.“Maybe we should go somewhere else.”
Sadie stuck out her bottom lip and pouted.“Can’t we at least try?I have a craving for a blooming onion with their delicious dip.”
They did have some really good food.“We can try.I just hope you aren’t too disappointed when they don’t have room for us.”
“We’ll see...”
As they back tracked, they approached Totally Chocolate.Even though the blinds were drawn, there was still light glowing around the edges.That was strange.The shop was normally closed by now.
“Why do you think the lights are on?”Abby pointed toward the chocolate shop.
“I don’t know.Carrie didn’t say anything to me.”
“Should we stop in and just make sure everything is all right?”
“I don’t know.Maybe she’s having some sort of date night with Jackson.”Sadie paused on the sidewalk in front of the chocolate shop.“What do you think?”
Abby stopped next to her.“Maybe we should check in.If it’s a date, we’ll make a hasty exit.But maybe she’s dealing with some sort of emergency or something and could use some help.”
Sadie nodded.“Sounds like a good plan.And maybe she’ll change her mind about grabbing food with us.”
Abby headed to the door.She knew all about the challenges of running her own business.And her friends were always there for her.She would gladly return the favor.
As Abby reached for the door handle, Sadie said, “Maybe you should knock so we don’t startle her, like I did to you.”
Abby nodded.“Good idea.”
Knock-knock-knock.
They paused and waited.
“I don’t hear anything,” Sadie said.“Maybe you should see if the door’s unlocked.”
Abby didn’t hear anything either.She reached out and grasped the door handle.It wasn’t locked.
She cracked the door open and called out, “Carrie?Are you here?”
