Page 74 of Finding You

ChapterFourteen

She’d gone to work with Devin because it was the right thing to do. After everything he’d done for her, the least she could do was make sure the front office was completely organized and ready for whoever he hired when she was gone.

She was expecting a typical morning, but apparently word of her leaving had spread like wildfire.

“I guess now that the reunion and festival are over, there’s no other news,” she murmured as she got ready to check Zeke Garner out.

“Moving on to your next big adventure, huh?” he asked as soon as she slid the glass window over.

“Adventure’s a strong word…”

“Well, just be sure you take the proper way out of town,” he told her.

“Um…proper? I was just going to cut across the road by the post office and then over Teal Street to get to the highway.”

Zeke shook his head. “No, no, no…you’ll end up sitting in traffic forever that way. Too many lights. If you go around the back way and go up to Fuchsia and make a left, you’ll meet up with the entrance to the highway about five miles down. No lights that way.”

“Oh. Thanks! I appreciate it.”

“No need in frustrating yourself trying to get out of town. You’re going to be stuck driving for days as it is.”

“Yeah,” MacKenzie agreed. “Definitely not fun.”

With a curt nod, he took the receipt she was handing him. “Thanks for all your help and have a safe trip!”

And that was the conversation that was on a continuous loop all morning. It bordered on bizarre. Everyone had an interest in how she was getting out of town, and she wasn’t sure if they were truly trying to be helpful or just really wanted her to leave.

“Hey, Mac,” Will said as he walked over to let her know Gail Tanner’s Honda was finished. “We appreciate you coming in today. I’m sure you have a lot to do with packing and everything.”

“Not as much as you’d think,” she said, forcing a smile. “I really didn’t have a lot of stuff, so other than doing some laundry later and tossing it all back in my suitcase, I should be good.”

Nodding, he leaned against the doorway. “I hear you’re going to lunch over at Books & Beans with the girls.”

“I am! Would you like me to bring you guys something back?”

“Nah. That’s okay. We’re slammed here today, and I’m thinking of ordering an early lunch and having it delivered.” He rested a hand on his stomach. “Kind of hungry already…”

“You could always order pizza and go next door and get it,” she suggested.

“After finding out that Cindy was seeing that other guy, I’m thinking I might need to find a new place to eat.”

“There’s always the café. You always said how much you love their burgers.”

“Hmm…you have a point. Unfortunately, they don’t deliver, so…”

MacKenzie looked at the clock. “Tell you what, they don’t open until eleven, so we have some time. Call in your order when they open, and I’ll go pick it up for you. Just…make sure you order for everyone.”

“I don’t want to make you late for lunch with the girls…”

“You won’t. I’m not meeting them until noon, so we’re good. But that just means you’ll all be responsible for the desk for a little longer.”

“Dude, we’re going to be responsible for the desk starting tomorrow until the end of time,” Will joked. “Devin’s never gonna hire someone. He hasn’t in all the time we’ve been open.” He glanced around. “Although now that you have it so neat and organized in here, maybe it won’t be so bad.”

“Why wouldn’t he hire someone? That’s just crazy!”

He shrugged.

“I don’t understand that.”

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