Page 80 of Patio Lanterns

“We could try reaching out to friends we know. Would that help?”

“Oh yes, yes. If you could do that, please, that would be a huge help. Thank you.” She waved goodbye, summoning the strength in her rubbery legs to continue on.

She continued knocking on doors until time ran out, and she had to give up and return to the Blue Canoe. She’d fucked up royally, just as her sisters expected. How did she ever believe she could actually pull off this whole shindig by herself? Once people started arriving, the celebration of life was going to become a shitshow, tarnish the beautiful memory of their mother, and bring shame to her family. And it was all on her.

As she passed by the Maple Leaf Lodge, she looked for any signs of life. But Rick’s Jeep still wasn’t parked in its usual place. There wasn’t a single light on in the windows.

Robin lifted her eyes skyward and sighed. “Where are you?”

And then she spotted it.

It was barely visible, but the sinking angle of the sun made it slightly more noticeable.

A thin, wispy column of smoke was rising from behind his cottage.

26

Rick

Rick stared sullenly into the glowing embers, hands folded on his chest, legs stretched out in front of him. He’d been slumped in front of the fire for hours, lost in thoughts of Robin. How he’d been drawn to her flame. How she’d set his heart ablaze. Just when he’d begun to bask in what he believed was the warmth and light of caring for someone and being cared for in return, it all turned to ashes.

“Rick?”

Suddenly, he thought he heard her voice. Probably only his imagination.

“Rick? Are you back here?”

Mutt Lange rounded the corner. The moment he spotted Rick, he broke into a lopsided gallop, barking, tongue flapping, tail wagging as he outran his leash dragging on the ground. Hey buddy, am I glad to see you.

Rick wasn’t as happy to lay eyes on his owner, lagging seconds behind.

“Oh, thank God! You’re here!” Robin sounded relieved as she jogged towards them, sporting a big grin. “Where have you been? Why haven’t you answered any of my texts?”

“Phone’s been off,” he said, avoiding having to look at her by scratching Mutt behind his ears.

“Why?” She perched on the armrest of the chair beside him. “Aidan and I were worried sick. We didn’t know where you were. And why isn’t your Jeep parked out front?”

“It got towed after the accident,” he answered tersely.

“Accident? What accident? What happened? Are you hurt?”

When he didn’t respond, she continued assaulting him with questions. “Are you okay? Where did it happen? Why didn’t you call to tell me?”

“I swerved off the road last night. I almost hit…” He stopped to look into Mutt’s shiny eyes. “I thought a dog ran out in front of me.”

“Jesus.” She gasped.

“Turned out it was a coyote. I missed hitting it, but not the ditch. The Jeep’s probably going to be a write-off.”

“Oh God, Rick. I’m so relieved that you’re all right,” she said, reaching out to rake her fingers through his hair. “Are you all right? You look really shaken up.”

He remained silent, wishing she’d just stop pretending like she cared about him.

Her hand dropped to her side. “What’s the matter?”

Please go away. I can’t bear to look at you right now. “I just want to be alone, okay?”

She huffed. “Why? You’re freaking me out.”

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