Page 39 of XOXO, Valentina

Gabi [3:30 p.m.] : Emergency book club meeting tonight?

Sloane [3:32 p.m.] : Can’t. I’ve got an anniversary party. R u ok?

Lacey [3:32 p.m.] : What’s wrong

Gabi [3:33 p.m.] : I’m good r u in

Lacey [3:35 p.m.] : In

Mia [3:35 p.m.] : In

Kennedy [3:45 p.m.] : I have to teach tonight, but I can come late. What’s wrong????

Gabi [3:45 p.m.] : I’m fine don’t worry

Mia [3:45 p.m.] : Then don’t say emergency bitch!!!

Kennedy [3:46 p.m.] : Someone is sassy

Thatcher [4:45 p.m.] : Can we do my place?

Gabi [4:47 p.m.] : Does that mean we have to help with the cabinets?

Thatcher [4:47 p.m.] : duh

Sloane [4:48 p.m.] : keep me posted

I barely made it through supper with my family. My mother’s meatloaf was dry as a bone, my brother moaned about not getting the promotion he’d wanted, and there wasn’t any wine. I choked down the meatloaf because I was starving. All I’d eaten the entire day were a few bites of French toast and half a bacon sandwich. Thinking about the delicious food I’d eaten for breakfast made me think about Joey, which made the meatloaf even harder to swallow.

After dinner, I dropped Shane off at home and told him I would be back by nine.

“Thatcher needs my help with his renovation,” I said.

“Cool!” Shane’s face lit up. “Can I come?”

I pushed the button on the remote to open the garage door. “English essay.”

He rolled his eyes and pushed the car door open. “Okay. But I want to come next time. I told him I would help lay the tile.”

“As long as it doesn’t involve you operating a saw,” I said.

Shane scoffed. “I’m almost fifteen, Mom.” He slammed the door and stomped up the driveway.

I drove back through town, toward Thatcher’s house. A few years ago, Thatcher had moved to Mossy Oak because he’d inherited his uncle’s bookstore and old family house. Thatcher had revamped the bookshop into a thriving business, but he hadn’t touched the house until recently. He was in the middle of a messy renovation, which he was determined to do by himself.

When he didn’t answer my knock, I let myself in. His fluffy companion, Daisy, bounded down the hall, her long golden tail swishing behind her. “Hey, pretty girl. Where’s your dad?” I bent and petted Daisy’s soft coat, letting go of some of my frustration over Joey go as I stroked her. “Men aren’t worth the trouble, are they, Daisy?”

She wagged her tail in agreement, and I buried my head in her furry neck. A muffled thump came from upstairs, and I lifted my head.

“Thatcher?” I called. “Where the heck are you?”

“Up here!” His voice came from the rooms above.

I went up the stairs and found him on his hands and knees in one of the bedrooms, battling a piece of carpet. I clapped my hand over my mouth to keep from laughing when he tugged with too much force and landed on his ass. He wore a pair of carpenter overalls, rubber rain boots, and swim goggles.

“Perfect timing,” he said, pushing to his feet. He slapped his hands on his denim-covered thighs, and a cloud of dust rose in the air. “Grab it over there.” He pointed at a piece of the carpet he’d just torn up.

“Oh my God!” I stared at the grass-green carpet. “What have you done? You’ve ruined the fairway!”

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