Since you left 20 minutes ago???
No I literally haven’t moved.
Okay
I’ll be home soon.
I had already hit send before I realized I’d called her trailer home—again. I’m grateful she didn’t notice and call me out on it.
The bakery is surprisingly busy this morning. Locals fill the tables, taking advantage of the quieter offseason. It’s nice to see them. During the busy summer months, you can expect to see more seasonal residents and tourists wandering around the village shopping or taking in the sights.
It’s strange not to see Maggie behind the counter, but she must be exhausted. Besides her wedding cake crisis last night, I’m sure she stayed to bake this morning.
The barista serving me is great—but extremely slow and chatty. By the time I’ve paid for half a dozen cupcakes, breakfast sandwiches, and coffees for both Beck and me, I am eager to leave.
I’m just about to the door when I hear Brian call my name. All I want to do is get back to her. I’m not interested in making idle chitchat with the local gossip. Taking a deep breath, I plaster a smile on my face before turning towards him.
“Good morning, Brian. How are you today?”
“I’m well, thank you.” Glancing at everything I’m carrying, he says, “You’ve got a lot of stuff there. Do you have company?”
“No… Why would you think that?” Narrowing my eyes, I shake my head. That’s an odd question, even from Brian. Except for Vaughan, I have never had “company” the entire time I have lived in Emerley.
“Hmm, interesting.” He leans back in his seat and watches me intently. “I passed a black Escalade near your house last night, so I assumed you had guests.”
“That’s a bizarre assumption,” I say. “We’re not the only ones who live on that road. It could have been anyone, really.”
“Most of the homes have closed up for the season,” he muses. “There are only a few of us locals who live on Crystal Lake year-round. Maybe it’s someone visiting Maggie? I suppose I can ask her.”
“Do we have a new community watch program that I should join? Are you really concerned about this?” I ask, trying hard not to lose my patience.
“Not concerned. Just curious,” he says, crossing his arms across his chest.
“Well, when you solve the mystery, let me know,” I dismiss him. “I’ve got to go.”
“Tell Rebecca I hope she is feeling better,” he calls after me as I walk away.
Man, he’s nosey. It’s absolutely none of Brian’s business who was driving the Escalade or why. I can’t wait to hear what tale he will spin about it, though.
Eighteen
Girls Group Chat
Claire
How are you feeling, Beck?
Meg
Oh, no. Did you catch the cold that’s going around?
Hannah
Do you need me to bring you anything?
Claire
Ryan was very worried when he called me last night!
