Regardless of who did this, Joel had one job—find her. They couldn’t lose another woman. They were going to search this forest from top to bottom. They wouldn’t stop until they had her.
Polly settwo coffees down on the table. “Here you go.”
“Thank you, dear.” Maureen lifted her mug.
Anika, who sat across from her, nodded. “Thank you. Caffeine issoneeded.”
Polly frowned at Anika’s red-rimmed eyes. “Is everything okay?”
“I had a fight with Mark. I requested an emergency appointment with Maureen. Her readings always make me feel better. They give me guidance that I can’t seem to find anywhere else.”
Polly was tempted to tell the woman that, given the sheer number of fights she had with Mark, separation might be thebest “guidance” of all, but she kept her lips sealed. It wasn’t her business. “I’m glad Maureenandcaffeine can help.”
Anika just gave her a watery smile.
Before Polly could walk away, Maureen touched her hand. “How areyou, Polly?”
“I’m good.” She really was. It had been a great week with Joel. Jonah was still behind bars, so she didn’t need to worry about him, and her mother seemed to be coping with everything pretty well. Things were so good, in fact, she almost didn’t want to jinx herself.
“And your mom?” Maureen asked quietly. “How is she after Jonah?”
“She’s doing okay. She’s had some time to get used to things.”
Maureen’s brows flickered. “No, I mean…” She stopped and shook her head. “Don’t worry.”
Polly frowned, giving the woman a curious glance before returning to the counter. Quickly, she texted Maggie.
Polly: Have you heard anything about Jonah?
Her best friend responded immediately.
Maggie: No. Why? Has something changed? Do they have new evidence to confirm he did it?
Polly: Not as far as I’m aware. Can you let me know if you hear anything?
Maggie: Of course.
Over the next hour, Bloom got busy. She sold almost all the flowers, took dozens of coffee and croissant orders, and spent a large chunk of time putting books back onto shelves that customers forgot to put away.
She was reshelvingThe Hero She Needsby Anna Hacket when she noticed David Collins, the town recluse, sitting on the couch in the corner beside the bookshelf, reading. He always had the same coffee order—black, no sugar. And he alwaysordered a ham panini. That was the only time he ever initiated conversation, but it never went beyond his order.
She moved over to his couch and lifted his empty mug. “How is it?”
“Good.” He didn’t meet her gaze.
She nibbled her bottom lip, tempted to ask what he was reading in an attempt to draw a conversation out of him, but decided against it. If he didn’t want to talk to anyone, that was his business. She’d probably be the same if she lost someone she loved.
Heck, he didn’t just lose his wife, he’d had to prove his innocence in her disappearance.
A throat cleared from a few tables over. She turned and groaned at the sight of Gerome, Ward’s jerk of a son.
“Hey, Polls.” One side of his mouth lifted.
“It’s Polly.” She lifted his empty mug. “Is there anything else I can get for you?”
“Nope. I’m good.” He cocked his head, that awful grin on his face. “How’s stepdaddy doing?”
“How the hell would I know? He’s behind bars.”
