Page 82 of Pretty Wild

He nods. “Well, I’m parked in the alley. We’ll slip out the back entrance, and I’ll run you to your cabin. We can worry about getting your rental later, if that’s all right.”

What else can I do? “Sounds fine, TD. Thank you.”

“Of course,” he says, glancing around. “Ready?”

Standing up, I grab my shopping bags and coffee and turn to face my friends.Friends. That’s exactly what they’ve become in such a short amount of time. “Thank you,” I whisper, choking on tears once more.

Hallie is the first to step in and give me a hug. “I have to run and pick up Mak, but we can come out and hang with you this afternoon if you’d like. Now that I’m caught up on your show, I have nothing on my schedule but taking a nap when the baby does,” she says with a small grin.

“Let’s play it by ear,” I say, feeling the need to be alone for a while.

“Sounds good. You can call me anytime, and I’ll come over.”

Jillian nods. “The bakery closes at three, so I can be there anytime after that.”

Carefully, so I don’t spill my drink on them, I pull the two ladies into a hug. “I appreciate you both so much. All of you.”

“That’s what friends are for,” Hallie says sweetly, squeezing my hand. “Get back to the cabin and stay inside.”

I follow TD to the door. Jillian goes out first, making sure no one is in the hallway before we slip out and head to the back of the bakery. He pushes through the exit, making sure no one is nearby, and waves for me to follow. The moment I’m outside, he has the door open and I’m ushered inside the front seat of his police SUV.

Both Hallie and Jillian wave as we pull away, driving through the alley and toward my rental cabin. I keep my head down but can’t help but notice the increased amount of people in town. Guilt gnaws at me. I did this. I brought them to town.

TD’s phone goes off, playing a call about a traffic accident near where we just left. The road coordinates are a block down from the bakery, closer to where Marcus’s auto repair shop is located.

Marcus.

What am I going to tell him about this mess?

TD pulls into the lane, heading toward my rental. “Keep the doors locked, Ryan. I know it’s nice and you’ll want the doors open, but I don’t think that’s wise right now. If anyone shows up here, call me. If there’s any sort of emergency, call 911.”

I sigh, hating this. I can tell he’s on edge, needing to get back to deal with the car accident, but also worrying about me out here and needing to make sure I arrive safely.

“Thanks for the ride, TD. I promise to keep the doors locked.”

He stops in front of the cabin. “We’ll get your SUV back to you.”

I nod, not really caring about the vehicle right now. “Thank you.”

I climb out of the vehicle and move quickly to the cabin. I input the security code and step inside, resetting the alarm as soon as I close the door. I watch TD pull away, returning the way he came just a minute ago.

Sighing deeply, I lean against the wall and close my eyes.

How can this be happening?

What am I going to do?

I need to call my dad, but first, I want to finish this latte. It might be the last one I have in Pine Village, so I’m going to savor it as long as possible. I head to my favorite spot in the living room and get comfy in the chair. With my coffee drink in hand, I pretend like everything is fine, that my world isn’t closing in on me.

That my time in Pine Village isn’t coming to an end.

He answers on the first ring. “Ryan.”

“Hi, Dad.” Just greeting him has my emotions lodged in my throat and on the verge of tears.

“I tried calling you,” he replies gently.

“I know. I didn’t see it until…after.”

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