I breathe in deeply as we step outside. I close my eyes, let the wind wisp against my face.
“Did you know you have a hickey on your collarbone?” Peggy asks.
I let out a wet laugh. “Did you know this town wants to get rid of your grandson?”
“Unfortunately, yes, I am aware of that. Don’t you worry, though, I have a plan for the council meeting. Like hell they’ll ban my grandson.”
“I don’t know how they’ll do it, but I kind of believe we don’t have a chance.”
Peggy sighs. She walks further into my garden and inspects my fairy village. She wipes dirt away from a vibrant yellow door.
“You have to have hope, Adelaide. You’ve given me hope.”
“I have?”
“In more ways than one. You may not see it because you’re at the centre, but there are more people in Beaver Creek who either love you and Zander together, or don’t give a shit at all that he’s here.” I laugh at the shock of her words. She turns back to me, a smirk on her red lips. “I think you’ve opened the minds of a lotof people here. They trust your judgement and they see him with you and Lucy and think,what’s the big deal?”
“That's what I think, at least.”
She takes my hand and forces me to sit on one of two Muskoka chairs I have on the patio. She takes the one opposite mine and perches on the edge. Her hand comes down on my knee.
“This motion at the meeting is going to be a bust. I have tricks up my sleeve.” She winks.
“What kind of tricks?”
“Zander finding love gave me more hope than I admit. I decided…to follow my own heart. The two of you really have something. You can see the glow when you’re together. I’ve spent over a decade grieving my husband and having a lot of other regrets. If Zander can let go and let you into his life, then I can do that too.”
I cover her hand with mine and squeeze. For the first time today I feel light and fluffy. “Peggy, are you in love?”
“I’m in love with a very powerful man on the town council. Zander’s not going anywhere.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
Zander
Addie
Have you seen the USB with all my book research? I can’t find it.
Addie
Obviously no worries in this moment. Bigger fish to fry and all that. Just hoping I left it at your place because it is NOWHERE
I don’t recall seeing it, but I still go back up to my apartment when I get the text. According to Addie, Gran has some elaborate plan for the council meeting today. I choose to dwell on that and not the other news Addie shared with me.Your grandma’s getting laid!
While I am happy for her, I sincerely hope I never have to hear that phrase ever again.
I search every surface in my apartment, Lucy following along, sniffing my hands whenever I move something. She’s not a great search dog, but she is the best companion.
“Okay, let’s go, girl,” I say and leash her up again. “I wish I didn’t have to use you as a prop, but you don’t mind, right?” Lucy pants and licks my arm in response. I take it as a yes. “That’s my girl. You’ll make them like me, I know you will.”
I don’t know what the line between trustworthy dog dad and creepy serial killer luring you away with a dog is…but I’m hoping I lean more towards the former.
Lucy hops into my car and makes herself at home on the backseat. I thread the seatbelt through her harness and make sure she’s secure, then give her a good pat. She scrambles to kiss every inch of my face.
“Let’s do this thing, Luce.”
I shut the door and circle to the driver’s side. My heart pounds in my chest as I sit in front of the steering wheel. Today feels like a make or break kind of day. I can only hope I won’t be making the drive back here tonight with a broken heart.
