Page 6 of Something Cryptid This Way Comes
The tingle in my gut expands until I feel lightheaded. “Can’t wait.”
From the kitchen, Charlie’s voice rises and falls as hetalks to my dog.
Trevor looks up at something over the top of his screen, nods, then returns his attention to me. “I have to go. The check-in kiosk is acting up.”
“Go ahead. I’ll see you in a couple weeks.”
He nods, waves, and reaches toward the screen. I know he’s going for the button to end the chat, but for a second it’s like he’s reaching for me. I hold my breath, and I swear I can feel the soft touch of his fingertip against my cheek, but it’s only wishful thinking. The video ends and I sit staring at the screen, a hollowness that wasn’t there before carving deep in my chest.
Charlie wanders in, carrying two beers, with Hades trotting at his side. “Success, he likes the peanut butter cookie. I left a small bag of them on the counter. They’re labeled so you won’t grab them for yourself by mistake.”
“Thanks.” I take the offered bottle. “Remember that time we tasted a dog biscuit to see what it was like? You were, what, six?”
“And you were thirteen. And the biscuit was awful.” Laughing, he leans his hip on my desk. “So, you’re going to Maplewood?”
“Yeah. I’ll drive up the first Saturday in October. Spend the week doing research, then do the cryptid event the following Saturday. Maybe stay longer. Agnes isn’t someone who gets easily spooked, so I want to figure out what’s going on.”
He takes a pull of his beer. “Maybe you’ll see Mabel again. It’s not fair that you had two sightings of her when we lived there, and I never had any.”
Sharing my Mabel stories with him and Trevor sparked my love of storytelling. “You should come up with me.”
“Can’t. We’re too busy at the bakery. Maybe we can take a long weekend there next spring. But you could bring me backsome maple syrup, and more of those maple cookies Agnes sent at Christmas.”
Making a mental note to pick up both, I tip my bottle to him. “I’ll see what I can do.”
He claps me on the shoulder. Though he’s seven years younger than me, we’ve always been close. “It’ll be good for you to spend time with Trevor.”
“Yeah. Good.” More than good. It’ll be the most uninterrupted time we’ve had together in over two decades. No other friends around, aside from those that live in Maplewood. I’ll be staying with him. In his house. Just the two of us.
The flutter in my stomach makes another appearance when I think about Trevor and the upcoming trip. It’s like when I’d step onto a football field for a big game or when I embark on a new cryptid investigation. Anticipation, nerves, and excitement. Only this time it’s bigger, and brighter.
I don’t want to let myself dwell on why that is, or what it means.
CHAPTER 3
TREVOR
Today’s the day. After three weeks of anticipation, Bram will be here any minute. Standing on my front lawn, I peer at the road, hyper alert at every black SUV that drives my way. Having my house on the inn’s property is convenient for me to attend to issues that crop up at odd hours of the night, but today, I wish it wasn’t so front and center for my reunion with Bram.
I could wait inside for him, but nervous energy pushed me out the door.
With a bark, Bandit races across the grass, the orange tennis ball we’ve been playing fetch with for the last ten minutes gripped in his teeth. He reaches me and drops it in my hand.
“Good boy.” Rubbing his head, I check the road again then lob the ball toward the maple and pine trees at the edge of the property. Bandit takes off with the same boundless energy as when we started.
I suck in a breath and slowly blow it out. There’s a cool breeze blowing, and plenty of people are enjoying the Saturday afternoon sunshine. Since we’ve been out here, Bandit and Ihave said hello to neighbors and to the inn’s guests on their way to the Playhouse, city park, the library, and the restaurants.
A black SUV turns onto the street. As it gets closer, it slows down and makes the turn into the small parking lot for guests behind my house, and I glimpse Bram’s profile in the driver’s seat.
He’s here.
The ball of nerves expands from my stomach and surges through my chest and limbs. I rub my palms on my jeans and call for Bandit. He abandons the tennis ball and runs to me. Since I’m not certain how he and Hades will get along, I clip on his leash and, with my heart pounding, we walk to the parking lot.
Bram crouches beside his SUV, his attention on Hades, petting the dog who is also on a leash. Hades spots us first, and Bram follows. A smile spreads across his handsome face. His blond hair gleaming in the sunlight, he stands, unfolding that athletic body. Clad in blue jeans, worn brown boots, and a gray tee, he looks so good. My arms tingle with anticipation to hug him.
“Hi, you made it.” I want to rush to him, but the dogs haven’t been introduced yet, so I walk slowly. Both dogs strain their leashes in their attempts to get closer to each other. No growls, just happy barks and tail wags.
Bram’s smile widens, making my knees wobble. “Damn, it’s good to see you.”
