Page 82 of Finding You

“Never too busy for a friend,” Ashlynn said with a smile, looking a little more relaxed. “I wish you had more time. I would have loved to get you in at the salon. We could have done your hair before you went to meet your new family!”

Self-consciously, she ran a hand over her hair. “Oh, do you think it looks bad?”

“What? No! Sorry! That’s not what I meant. I just thought…you know…new life, new hair!”

“Okay, whew! I’m so relieved.”

“How’s the car running?” Chloe asked. “Are you sure it’s okay to drive?”

“Devin and Will both took it for test drives yesterday and then I took it out last night and drove around for over an hour with Devin. I don’t think it’s ever run that good!” Pausing, she took a sip of her coffee. “I’m confident it’s going to not only get me to Oregon, but wherever else I go for a long time.”

“That’s great!”

“I feel like we’ve been doing nothing but talking about me,” MacKenzie said, mainly because she was tired of hearing herself talk. “What about all of you? What’s coming up in all your lives?”

“Leo and I are officially in the countdown to our wedding,” Avery said. “Three more months! We’re so excited! It’s going to be beautiful. The leaves will be changing and the pictures are going to be gorgeous!”

“That’s for sure,” Jade said. “Levi and I are the week before them, so we’re hoping to get the same spectacular pictures.” She took a sip of her own coffee. “We were able to reserve the banquet room up at the ski resort, so it was great that we got a preview of everything during the festival. With it just opening up and all…”

“It’s going to be great,” Billie assured her. “And I am thrilled to be making the cake! It’s kind of cool to be doing that for my little brother.”

“And sucks that Chloe and I can’t compete with that,” Ashlynn teased. “Seriously, what can we possibly do that’s going to be better than making the damn cake?”

“It’s not a competition,” Jade reminded her.

“Easy for you to say…”

“I’m gearing up for back to school,” Chloe chimed in. “I know it’s barely the end of June, but I’m already thinking of fun ideas for my classroom. I’m thinking of going with an under the sea theme!”

“I’m sure you have a costume somewhere for that,” Ashlynn murmured before saying, “Ouch!”

“I guess since we’re twins, I must have that twitchy leg thing too,” Chloe shot at her, and MacKenzie didn’t even want to know what that was all about.

After that, they talked about business–how much Books & Beans had grown, how Ashlynn’s salon was doing better than she had projected, and all the new things still planned for Sweetbriar Ridge. In the back of her mind, MacKenzie hoped she’d be able to come back and see it all.

Looking at her phone as it dinged with an incoming text, Ashlynn nodded approvingly. When she returned her attention to MacKenzie, she was still looking pleased. “So…you’re all packed and ready?”

“Yup.” She sighed.

“Where are you parked?”

That was an odd question, MacKenzie thought. “Um…just a couple of doors down. I had to circle the block twice to find a spot. I’m going to stop back in at the garage after I leave here, and then I’ll be able to cut across by the post office and then over Teal Street to get to the highway.”

Ashlynn shook her head. “No, no, no…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 traffic that way.”

She laughed because she couldn’t believe she had forgotten the dozens of people who had corrected her on her directions already. “Oh. Thanks! I don’t know why I keep thinking of going the other way.”

“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.”

Instead of replying, Ashlynn grabbed her and hugged her. “I’m so glad we met! Be sure to keep in touch and have a safe trip!”

“Thanks,” she replied, feeling herself getting a little emotional. She was just about to tell her how much she appreciated all of their talks and girl time, but in the blink of an eye, she was on her feet and answering her phone. “Um…bye,” she murmured, watching her walk out the door.

“Hey!” Avery. “You all set?”

“I think so.”

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