As if to prove Frankie’s point, a crack of lightning split the sky. Maisie glanced at the metal sides of the dumpster, wondering if it could act as a conduit for a lightning strike and whether it would be a quick death. She didn’t have much time to mull it over before the sky erupted in a deafening roar of thunder.
Frankie leaped out of the dumpster. “That’s it! I’m done.”
Maisie watched him for a second. He was serious. “We can’t quit! The garbage truck will be coming soon.”
As if on cue, the unmistakable rumble of the garbage truck’s engine echoed down the street. The sound of it was like a slap in the face, a reminder of how much time they’d wasted by lingering over breakfast. But it was such a good breakfast!
“Come on, Frankie,” Maisie said, her voice rising with urgency. “Let’s beat the truck to the next dumpster.”
He sighed. “One more.”
But as they reached it, Frankie peered inside and let out a groan of frustration. “Emptied.”
Maisie bit her lip, fighting back the wave of disappointment. They had missed their shot.
“Yoo-hoo! Frankie! Melanie!” Sophie was walking toward them under an umbrella. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you!”
“Sophie!” Frankie beamed. “Whassup?”
Sophie’s nose wrinkled in exaggerated disgust. “Woooeee, do you two ever stink!”
Frankie laughed, like she’d made a joke. She hadn’t. Frankie did stink. Maisie might be soggy from the rain, but Frankie was the only one who smelled bad.
Sophie pulled something out from under her jacket. “Turns out Enzo was lying about the dumpster. I was walking past his car and saw the envelope, right on the dashboard. He never thinks to lock his car.” She handed it to them, her voice sweet but with a little twinkle of mischief. “Sorry if he caused you trouble. He can be such an idiot.” She batted her eyelashes at Frankie, clearly enjoying the moment.
Frankie grinned back at her. “No trouble at all. Dumpster diving has been very educational.” He had a goofy look on his face.
Maisie scowled at both of them. “Yeah, educational.”
Sophie’s grin widened as she eyed Frankie. “I’m late for work. If you come by the coffee shop, I’ll treat you to a mocha latte.”
“I should get a shower first,” Frankie said.
“Most of the customers smell like wet dogs right now. You and Melanie will fit right in.”
“My name’s Maisie.”
Ignoring her, Sophie flashed Frankie a wink, then turned and hurried out of the alley, leaving them standing there in the rain with the very thing they’d been searching for.
Frankie, still grinning, gave Maisie a playful nudge. “You heard her. Let’s go.”
Maisie took a deep breath. “You go. I’m going to let Chase know we found the envelope. Finish what I started.”
He scoffed a laugh. “What youcaused, you mean.”
She scowled at him and tucked the envelope inside her shirt to keep it dry. “You and Sophie deserve each other.” She stomped off.
“Hold on. I was just kidding. Wait up, Maisie. You don’t even have Chase’s number.”
She stopped.
He caught up with her and put an arm around her shoulder. “We’re in this together, kid.”
“I’mnota kid.” But she did like the feel of his arm around her shoulder.
Chase was moving fast as he and Scout started up Precipice Trail. His mind was buzzing from the morning—finding the gold at Cadillac Mountain, sharing their first kiss. He hadn’t planned it, but it couldn’t have been more perfect, more memorable.
And then, a delicious breakfast in Bar Harbor. Scout had laughed often, her smile easy and warm. He savored how natural it felt to be with her, how much he enjoyed having someone to share this experience with. He’d been missing out for too long, always letting the paper take priority over relationships. After this story broke, that was going to change. And Scout, he was feeling more and more sure, was the girl to make that change for.
