Page 82 of When In Doubt

Chapter Twenty-Seven

FREYA

“Ifeel bad! I can just picture him sitting in his little hutch all sad and lonely,” I say, phone pressed between my shoulder and my face. I’m in the back room of the store, getting everything ready for a workshop I’m running tonight.

“Doesn’t he stay in there when Oscar’s working anyway?” Luci asks, voice skeptical.

“Yeah, but he’s already missing him, and now he’s all alone at my place.”

“He’s been fine every other day, hasn’t he?”

“Well, yeah, but this morning he made these big, sad eyes at me. And I won’t be home until late.”

“He probably just wants you to let him roam around so he can brutalize more of your furniture.”

Two nights ago, Harvey decided he was done with my shit and chewed halfway through the leg of one of my favorite chairs. I was mad for a minute, but it’s hard to stay that way when he makes his sweet face.

“He’s just acting out because he misses his daddy.”

“How long has it been?”

I sigh. “Ten days now.”

“I thought it was just going to be a week?”

“It was supposed to be, but something happened with the wind and they had to stay longer to get it controlled.”

“Shit.”

“Yeah.” I’ve been trying not to think about it too much, especially when I haven’t had any news. Things must be busy over there because I’ve tried to reach out a few times and not had anything back.

“Do you know when he’ll be back?”

“No idea.” I step back from the box I’m unpacking, only just managing to avoid hitting my head on the shelf above me. “Valerie got back last week, she offered to take Harvey but it didn’t seem necessary to move him again.”

“Has she heard anything?”

“No, he hasn’t messaged either of us since the first time he texted.”

“And how are you doing with that?”

A sad little laugh escapes me.

I’ve been trying not to let myself worry, but it’s all too easy for my brain to spiral into the worst-possible scenarios. I’m just going on the basis of no news is good news in order to maintain my sanity.

I sigh. “You know, just waiting it out.”

“At least you have a fluffy friend to keep you company.”

“He’s certainly keeping me busy.”

There’s some shuffling on the end of the line. “Hey,” Luci says, suddenly sounding nervous. “There was actually something I wanted to talk to you about.”

“Are you okay?”

“Yes?” She says it like a question.

“What’s going on?” I grab a kick stool and sit down, hard enough that it scoots back against the wall with a thud.