Page 1 of Another June with You

Chapter 1

June 2011

Never in Shannon’s life had she been late for a job. Not once. In fact, she had never been late for anything. But she was definitely going to be late to Chase and Keely’s wedding brunch—the first of several events beginning on Wednesday and spanning the three days leading up to their Saturday afternoon nuptials. All of which she had been hired to photograph. If not for her stupid car not starting—darn battery!—and this traffic jam on 131 due to some kind of accident in the middle of a construction zone—stupid drivers!—she would’ve been there by now.

The cars ahead of her inched along, and she pulled out her phone and fired off a quick text to Keely, letting her know where she was.

Keely’s reply was as laid back as she was. “No worries, Shannon. See you when you get here.” But her calm disposition had no effect on Shannon’s, which was more on the anxious end of the personality spectrum.

Only ten more car-lengths until the Pearl Street exit. The exhaust from the truck ahead blew in through the open windows making her cough. If only the air conditioner worked on this unseasonably steamy June morning. She leaned forward and used one hand to lift her long raven locks away from her neck while the other unstuck her shirt from her back. She didn’t have to see it to know the shirt was covered in streaks of sweat. Classy.

A few more feet.

Nine cars.

Eight.

Still moving. Slowly, but surely.

Only four cars ahead of her now. Getting closer. Her left foot tapped on the rubber floor mat. If only there was enough space on the right for her to squeeze around a couple of the vehicles, but she didn’t dare try with the police close by for the accident. So she waited impatiently.

Two more car-lengths.

What is that? Something smelled hot. Really hot. Like it was … burning. At the moment that word crossed her mind, smoke billowed out from under the hood of her car.

“Nooo!” she cried. “Not now!”

The cars in front of her moved. Of course this would happen just as it was her turn to finally take the exit she needed.

She pressed slowly on the accelerator, hoping she would at least make it off the ramp and into a parking lot or something. The car sputtered and came to a complete stop, partially blocking the top of the exit ramp. Of course it did.

Tears burned her eyes. She couldn’t believe this was happening.

A car horn blared just as she grabbed her phone, and she jumped, sending the phone flying onto the passenger side floor mat. Vehicles squeezed around her, most coming close to knocking her mirror off. Some people gave her a look of sympathy, while others flung foul language her way or flipped her off.

She buried her face in her hands for a moment then undid her seatbelt and leaned across the car to get her phone. Who should she call first? Her dad? She hated to bother him at work. Duncan? No, Duncan was still in Denver. Darn it! Maybe Jamie. Best friends were supposed to be there for you through thick and thin, right? She kicked herself for not adding roadside assistance to her insurance policy.

Reluctantly, she dialed Keely’s number.

“Hey, are you almost here?” Keely sounded as cheerful as always.

“I’m still stuck.”

“Must have been a bad accident. I hope nobody was seriously hurt.”

“I think it was just a fender bender, but my car overheated and is now dead in the middle of the exit ramp.”

“Say no more. I’m sending Chase.”

“What? No! You can’t send your fiancé. It’s your wedding brunch.” She could hear Keely’s muffled voice in the background talking to someone.

“Okay,” Keely came back on. “Tell me exactly where you are. We’re sending a tow truck to get your car to a shop and the best man to pick you up.”

A combination of relief and embarrassment came over her as she gave Keely her location. “Keely, thank you. I’m so sorry about this.”

“Oh, Shannon, it’s not your fault. These things happen. We’ll see you soon.”

They hung up, and Shannon closed her eyes and pinched her nose, blocking out the crazies giving her attitude and the smell of burnt coolant seeping into the cabin. With every car that inched by, she held her breath, hoping they’d just drive on.

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