I drop to my knees and feel his hand come to a rest on my shoulder.
“Did you think I wouldn’t find you, Hads?” he asks tauntingly.
I jerk awake, covered in sweat and heart racing. I spot Sarah next to me, eyes closed, chest rising and falling.
It was just a dream.
I let out a sigh of relief and look at the clock. It’s only six in the morning on a Sunday, but I won’t be able to fall back asleep.
Pumpkin, sensing me awake, crawls up the bed from where she was sleeping by my feet and comes to snuggle under my chin. I kiss her little head and stroke her fur before I decide to just get up.
Sticking my feet into a pair of slippers, I quietly sneak from the room, shutting the door behind me so I don’t wake Sarah. Istill can’t shake the unease of last night, along with my dream, so after starting a pot of coffee, I grab my laptop and type Adam’s name into a search bar.
Still no sightings. There are theories he’s dead or fled the country, but I know in my heart those aren’t true. He’s out there somewhere, I just don’t know where. I hope to God he never finds his way to Lavender Falls.
The coffee pot beeps, and I fill my mug before taking it to the living room and pulling out my embroidery kit. Getting lost in the rhythm, I make Wren a matching Lemon and Lavender apron that Sarah and I both have. I’m so lost in my work that I don’t hear Sarah creep up.
“Why are you up so early?” she groans, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.
I jump then look at the clock. It’s now seven, and I feel slightly sorry that Sarah is awake. “Sorry,” I tell her. “Did I wake you?”
“Nah. You were quiet. But I could smell coffee,” she says, turning towards the kitchen to get a cup.
I finish the last detail on Wren’s apron and clean away all the supplies, joining Sarah in the kitchen. “Are you hungry? I can make breakfast?” I offer.
Sipping her coffee, she bends down to pet Pumpkin, who’s curving in and out of her legs, meowing for affection. “Actually, you wanna go into town for breakfast?” she suggests, and that doesn’t sound like a bad idea.
“Sure. I’ll just go hop in the shower,” I tell her, taking off down the hall.
Once we’ve both showered and gotten ready, we hop in Sarah’s Jeep and head into town to Misty’s Diner.
The diner is located on the street behind Main, and it’s the place to be for a good breakfast. The walls are blue and yellow with pictures of landscapes and customers dotting the wall. Thefloor is checkered with pink and white, and the booths are made from a light wood with pink cushions. It’s what you would expect a classic small town diner to look like back in the day, but just a little more modern.
“Morning, girls,” Misty greets us when we’re seated.
“Morning, Misty,” we say, smiling up at the woman. Misty is in her sixties and one of my favourite people in Lavender Falls. She loves everyone and treats us all like grandkids.
“What can I get you beautiful ladies this morning?” she asks, beaming down at us.
“I’ll have the cheesy omelette, please,” I tell her, my stomach already growling. Misty’s has the best omelettes. I can already taste the delicious flavours and fight back a groan.
“And to drink?” she asks.
“Chocolate milk, please.”
“You got it, sweetheart. And you, Sarah?”
“I’ll go with the two stack, scrambled eggs, and sausage link,” she says. “Oh, and also a chocolate milk.”
“Sure thing, sweet girl. I’ll have it all out shortly.” Misty smiles before heading back to the kitchen.
Sarah and I eat our meal and enjoy the bustle of the diner. People are in and out in a steady flow, and we greet everyone we know that passes by our table. We’re both just finishing up when Hayes enters with an older man. The man is tall with salt and peppered hair. A moustache sits on top of his lip, and I know by his facial features that this must be Mr. Donovan. A cowboy hat adorns his head, and he’s got on a long-sleeve button up tucked into his jeans, held up by a big belt. It’s always funny seeing cowboys and farmers inside Misty’s mostly pink diner.
The men sit close to the door, taking the first empty booth, and I glance at Sarah. She doesn’t know they are in here, but we will have to pass by them on our way out.
“You ready?” Sarah asks after we leave our bills and tip on the table.
“Sure. But just a heads up, Hayes is here.” I prepare her.
