Main Street adored Mo. Children waved. Sadie from Sadie’s Bakery & Café kept a jar of dog biscuits under the counter specifically labeled For That Mountain of Fur. Even Joe, owner of Joe’s Hardware, claimed Mo boosted foot traffic.
Mo understood that.
He also knew misbehavior meant losing privileges.
“You don’t want to lose your treat circuit,” I reminded him.
He looked straight ahead as if deeply committed to good citizenship.
I was actually on my way to speak with Kate, mostly to see if the damage Josh had done was irreparable and not to disappoint my mom. Okay, maybe I felt a bit bad for my foolish brother, not that I would ever admit that.
As luck would have it, someone pulled out of a parking space directly in front of Yesterday’s Treasures.
Serendipitous.
I flicked on my blinker.
That’s when Mo started whining.
I followed his line of sight.
Amy stepped out of Yesterday’s Treasures, looking good as she always did, wearing a flowing peach sundress that fell to just above her knees, her blonde hair swept up, gold hoop earrings at her ears, and a large, multi-colored tote clutched tightly in her hand.
My stomach tightened.
Amy didn’t buy in bulk unless something was wrong or there was a sale. And Yesterday’s Treasures already discounted their secondhand books so a sale was out of the question. Romance novels were her coping mechanism. When life felt messy, she turned to guaranteed happy endings and her tote looked full. And she was so distracted, her pace quick, that she didn’t even spot my truck.
I pulled into the open parking spot before someone else claimed it.
“Well,” I murmured to Mo, cutting the engine, “we didn’t plan this.”
Mo’s ears perked.
“But we’re not ignoring it either.”
Amy was already halfway down the sidewalk.
I got out and opened Mo’s door and warned, “Don’t tackle her.”
Mo jumped down and trotted ahead with purpose.
Amy paid no mind to his bark until he was directly in front of her.
“Mo!”
Mo plopped down in front of her, his tail wagging with deliberate charm.
“You traitor,” I called teasingly as I joined them.
Amy looked at me. And there it was, a flicker of guilt.
“Pep,” she said.
I gestured toward the stuffed tote. “That’s not light reading.” I raised a brow. “That’s a mood.”
A weak smile touched her lips.
“I was actually headed in to talk to Kate,” I added casually. “But apparently fate decided I needed to talk to you instead.”
