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I take a sip of my coffee. “I texted her. Then she texted back. We did that for a little while, then I called her.”
“You called her?”
I nod. “We talked for a couple of hours.”
“That sounds promising.” Britta bounces her shoulders like she’s on the dance floor.
I mirror her moves. “She invited me over this morning, so I’m taking her breakfast.”
The door opens, and we both glance in that direction. Half a dozen customers walk in, so I move away from the counter to make room for them.
“I’m proud of you, little brother,” Britta says as the first person steps up.
I find a table by the door and sit while I wait for my order. A few minutes later, Lynette comes in. She doesn’t see me, whichisn’t unusual. In general, she only sees what’s right in front of her or what other people don’t see at all.
“Good morning, Lynette.” I stand to get her attention, and she turns slowly to face me.
“Oh, hello, Bear.” She’s got on a neon pink jacket I’m sure she’s had since the eighties, but also shows how unseasonably warm it is today.
Her lightweight jacket reminds me I have to cancel practice. The ice won’t be thick enough to be safe. Even though Cassie told me to bring my skates, I didn’t. There’s no way I’ll get on that ice or let her on it.
“I’m headed to the shop this morning. I can feed the squirrels,” I say to Lynette.
Lynette nods. “The babies are almost ready to be on their own.”
“Really? How can you tell?”
I’m surprised her news makes me sad. I enjoy feeding the babies. It’s time intensive, but soul-satisfying knowing I’m taking care of a wild animal who’s also helpless.
“They’re acting like teenage boys,” she says, as if it’s the most obvious thing in the world. “How else would I know?”
I’m not sure how to respond to that, but before I can, she quickly adds, “tell the lady living there that I did what she asked. Zach promised to tell the aliens they have to give you my pond or I won’t sell.”
There’s a lot to sort through in those sentences, and Lynette moves to the counter before I can ask what she’s talking about. My order is called, and I decide the best source of info is Cassie—the lady living at the shop. I feel a shiver of excitement that this might have something to do with the good news Cassie has for me.
So I grab my order and wave goodbye to Britta. When I get to my Jeep, I unzip my coat and toss it into the backseat with Molly.It’s too warm for a thick parka, and even if it weren’t, I’m too hot to wear it right now.
If I understand Lynette, it sounds like Cassie asked her togivemethe pond. And Lynette agreed. I suspect that’s the good news Cassie wants to tell me this morning.
But why would Cassie do that? If the buyers agree to it—and they’ll have to if they want the rest of Lynette’s land—that’s a huge hurdle out of my way. The city wouldn’t have to buy that plot of land. I’d only have to come up with half the money I need for the other plot the shop is on.
The only other thing I’d have to do is stop Grandpa from signing the papers. City Hall doesn’t open until ten, so I’ve got time. I could drive to his house right now and explain what’s changed.
Or I could stay on the road to Cassie’s and find out why everything’s changed. Is she giving up because she has feelings for me? Or because she’s decided she doesn’t want to stay in Paradise?
If it’s the first, then she’s working at cross-purposes. Without the shop, she has no bookstore and no reason to stay. Except for me…
I can’t wrap my head around that. Her sacrifice is too big. She’d have to feel what I feel for her, and that’s too unbelievable. It’s more likely she’s not only decided to go back to LA to speak in person to the officers investigating her captain, but also decided to leave Paradise all together.
Which means I can either try to convince her to stay and risk making a fool of myself once again. Or I can call Grandpa, beg him not to sign, and make my breakfast with Cassie both a thank you and a goodbye.
Molly growls at something out the window, and I give her a reassuring pat on her back. I wish she could do the same for me, because I don’t like the hard knot settling behind my rib cage.
Despite the sun shining outside, the thought of not seeing Cassie anymore makes the world less bright. I don’t want her to leave. But I also don’t want my girls to lose their hockey rink if Cassie doesn’t feel the same about me.
I pull into the alley behind the shop and turn off the Jeep, but I don’t get out. I reach into the backseat to take my phone from my coat pocket. Molly whines and paws at my arm, then barks.
“Settle down, girl.” I scratch her ears, but before I can dial Grandpa, Molly goes nuts.
