Page 26 of Falling Madly
My mind shot into a million directions, chasing its tail. I’d just permanently lost Trevor’s car key, and the woman whose dog kept nuzzling my bottom looked oddly familiar.
Her gaze caught mine, and she beamed. “Teresa! Oh, my God! Now I understand why he’s going nuts. Harry was a puppy last time you met, but he must remember you.”
I smiled back, a little startled. “Peony!”
I stood up, and she hugged me. She’d always been a hugger. Even when we’d seen each other daily, she’d always hugged me goodbye. We’d spent countless hours in the garden room behind her family home, dreaming about the life we’d live when we finally escaped Cozy Creek and went to college. And she was… here?
“You… live here?” I stammered. “And Harry… It’s been fourteen years.”
“He’s a senior, but still going strong.” Peony scratched the dog’s ear. “What brings you back? Where have you been? I tried to look you up on Facebook once or twice, but—” She smiled apologetically.
“It’s okay. I’m not on Facebook. And I really needed to get away.”
“Yeah, I get that.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t stay in touch. It was easier that way.”
She nodded, and I fought back tears. I wasn’t ready for this. I didn’t want to relive any of it.
“The cafe is closing.” Trevor’s voice made me jump, and my stomach wound itself into a tighter knot.
There he was, standing behind me, smiling, not knowing what I’d done.
“Hi! Sorry, Trevor. I bumped into a friend from high school. This is Peony.”
Trevor smiled and introduced himself, and Peony pulled him into a hug. I waited for them to finish the pleasantries, the bad news burning a hole in my throat.
“I dropped your car keys!” I blurted as soon as there was a lull.
“Dropped them?” Confused, Trevor looked at the ground, until his eyes found the storm drain. “Do you mean…”
I nodded, my throat so dry I couldn’t even speak anymore.
Peony’s hands flew to her mouth. “Oh, my God! Did that just happen when Harry gave you a shove? I was trying to hold onto his leash. He’s never that excited anymore, but I guess he recognized an old friend and summoned all his energy. Oh, no!”
She looked as white as a sheet. I probably looked the same. Trevor stared at his car, a couple of yards away, his mouth open as if he was still processing the news. Finally, he pulled a phone from his pocket. “Okay. What can we work with? I have a phone, a wallet, and the keys to the office. What do you have?”
I swallowed, opening my purse. “My phone and cards are in the car, so… nothing.”
I browsed my measly belongings: makeup, a used tissue, home keys, several receipts, half a packet of mints and an antacid. What a great survival pack.
“I’m so sorry.” I looked at Trevor, then his car, which I now realized was my only way out of Cozy Creek. “Do you have another key?”
“Aye. In Denver.”
Of course. Who walked around with two car keys?
“Can we call someone? A locksmith?”
“They won’t be able to do anything. It’s not like those old cars you could wiggle your way into with a bit of wire. They’ll tow it to the dealership. It’ll cost a fortune.”
“I’ll pay,” I said, my voice wobbly.
“Nae. That’s silly. I’ll have someone fetch the spare key and drive here. Maybe Charlie. He has a key to my place for emergencies.”
“But they’re not even in town!” I cried.
“They’ll be back this weekend.”
