Page 53 of The Christmas Keepsake
“That’s unclear. I’m actually trying to get a hold of her.” Actually, he hadn’t seen or spoken to Mallory since their date last night.
Their amazing date.
Shopping. Driving through the older neighborhoods in Bloom and admiring the lights and decorations. Kissing. It was the bestdate of his entire life. Simple as it was, the air had been thick with endorphins.
Was that what this was about? He’d thought the date had gone well, but maybe that opinion was one-sided. Maybe Mallory hadn’t gone home and lain in bed restless and unable to quiet her mind because of how wonderful the night had been.
No. Mallory was a mature adult. Surely, she wouldn’t cancel rehearsal just to avoid him.
“If I see her, I’ll tell her you’re looking for her,” Francis promised.
“Thanks.” After disconnecting the call with Francis, Hollis scanned the lot, studying the trees and listening to the birds while his mind pondered what to do.
Savannah.She’ll know what’s going on.
Tapping on Savannah’s contact, he fidgeted impatiently as the phone rang in his ear. When she didn’t respond, he called Evan.
“Hey, buddy,” Evan answered.
“Where’s Sav?” Hollis asked, skipping pleasantries.
Evan cleared his throat on the other line. “I, uh…”
“I know you know something. If you don’t tell me, I’m heading to your house.”
Evan was quiet for a moment.
Then Savannah took hold of Evan’s phone. “She’s okay, Hollis. She told me she just wants to be alone right now, and I’m respecting that.”
Hollis’s stomach dropped into the pit of his stomach. “Why does she need to be alone?”
Savannah didn’t respond.
“Savannah, please?” Hollis asked a bit more forcefully, feeling a funnel of panic in his chest. “Did something happen? I just need to know she’s okay.” He’d made a promise to Nan last Christmas, but more than that, he cared about Mallory. He cared more than he ever wanted to admit.
“It’s not my place to tell you what’s going on, Hollis. I’m her friend.”
“I’m her friend too,” he snapped back. He pinched the bridge of his nose. “I’m just… I’m just concerned.”
She exhaled audibly into the receiver. “Fine. The property inspector came to the theater today and delivered some pretty bad news. From the sound of it, the theater is in not-so-great condition. It didn’t pass inspection. The theater is not fit to hold an audience for the holiday play,” Savannah said. “And it’s definitely not in condition to sell.”
Hollis shook his head. He’d been inside the theater recently. He hadn’t seen any signs that anything was amiss with the building. Granted, his attention was usually on Mallory when he was in the theater, but he would have noticed if conditions were so bad that it couldn’t pass inspection. “That’s not possible.”
“Well, that’s what happened. I was there.”
Hollis felt like someone had reached into his chest and grabbed hold of his windpipe. “She didn’t tell me. She hasn’t responded to my messages all day.” He’d peppered a few texts in Mallory’s direction from the farm today between talking to customers, teaching the boys about the job, and working with the dogs, telling her that he hoped she was having a good day. That he was thinking of her. That he couldn’t wait to see her this evening.
“She’s pretty devastated. She can’t afford the repairs,” Savannah said. “I mean, that’s the main reason she’s working so many extra shifts at the hospital. She can barely afford to keep Nan at Memory Oaks.”
Hollis didn’t speak for so long that Savannah finally said his name. “Hollis? Are you still there?”
“I’m here. Where do you think she’d go to be alone?”
“The point of being alone is to go where others can’t find you.”
“When people say they want to be alone, that’s usually becausethey don’t trust others with their emotions. Mallory can trust me. Where is she, Savannah? Please.”
He heard her soft exhale on the other line. “If I had to guess, she’d be somewhere in her car driving.”
