Page 22 of Finding New Dreams

“If you insist. But let me know when you have so I can prepare for my thrashing.”

She laughed, which instantly made me smile. “I’m guessing this has been a touchy point in the past.”

“I don’t kiss and tell.” I winked. “Usually.”

Her cheeks pinked. She suddenly seemed to realize our hands were still clasped because she quickly dropped mine. Digging her phone out of her leggings, she tapped on it a few times then handed it to me. “Here. Put your phone number in, and I’ll text you when the deed is done.”

I smiled to myself and entered my number, barely refraining from telling her she could text me any time of day—or night—she wanted.

After I handed the phone back to her, I spread my arms wide. “What now, boss? What do you need me to do?”

She stowed her phone then thought for a moment, her brow crinkled. Then it smoothed. “Oh! I know!” She hurried over to the podium up front and pulled out a stack of hot-pink flyers. “I had these printed the other day and was going to put them up around town. I’d be so grateful if you could do it for me so I can stay here and catch up on a few things.”

“No problem.” I took the stack from her. My eyes perused the bold copy. “Paint nights, huh?”

“Yeah,” she said over her shoulder as she ducked behind the podium again and snatched something from the bottom shelf. “I did a Monday wine-and-paint night for adults over the summer, and it was really popular with tourists and locals alike. So I decided to do it again.”

She handed me a colorful hand-drawn map of Tangled River. The buildings lining the square, as well as a few other places like Pine Grove Lodge and the boat launch, were neatly labeled.

“In case you get lost,” she said, smiling. She traced her finger around the town square. “I’d hit every business around the square. They’ll have bulletin boards where anyone can tack up a flyer. I also took out an ad in the Gazette so you don’t need to worry about the newspaper office—Mr. Smith probably wouldn’t open the door for you anyway. And if you don’t feel like walking out to Pine Grove, just hold onto a small stack to give to Chloe. She can hand them out to guests. Are you okay walking or would you like to borrow my car?”

I chuckled. “I’ll walk. And remember to breathe. You almost had a Chloe-worthy stream of words going there.”

She looked up at me, the many lights reflecting in her eyes. “Sorry. I get nervous telling someone what to do. Especially when that someone is not my usual younger student.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment then.”

I pulled my shades out of my pocket and slid them on. Holding the map and stack of flyers, I walked backward until I bodily shoved the door open.

Smiling at her one last time, I added, “And feel free to tell me what to do anytime you want, Rose.” Then I left before she could respond.

Once outside, I inhaled Tangled River’s perfume of sunshine, pine, and the river. Damn, it’d been a good idea to come back before the wedding. Between Rose, this job, her studio, and the first sense of peace I’d gotten in months, things were already looking up.

As if to further prove my point, my first stop next door turned out to be Sarah’s Sugar Shack.

Grinning, I held the door open for a few women holding to-go cups of coffee. They smiled and nodded at me then immediately put their heads together to whisper. A whiff of bitter coffee mixed with sugary dough distracted me and I stepped inside.

“Well, if it isn’t Stinky Sarah!” I called out.

Everyone in the coffee shop turned to look at me, but I focused on the brunette behind the cash register. Her head popped up as her mouth dropped open.

Then she laughed. “Holy crap, are you real?”

She hurried from behind the counter, and I caught her up in a hug. Then, for old times’ sake, I put her in a headlock and gave her a noogie.

Still laughing, she squirmed away. “I almost didn’t believe Chloe when she told me her fancy-pants brother finally graced us with his presence.”

“Believe it, babe.”

She rolled her eyes good-naturedly. “Still an idiot, I see. I swear you hit puberty with the rest of us but then never left.”

I shrugged. Her teasing had never bothered me, ever since she and Chloe had been attached at the hip since kindergarten. “It’s more fun this way.”

She smirked. “If you say so.” She nodded to the flyers. “Picking up your old paperboy route?”

“Nah. I need to put up a flyer on your bulletin board, if you got one.”

“Sure.” She waved me over to one of the four walls painted with giant maple trees. A bulletin board covered with colorful flyers hung there. “Is it a flyer looking for the rest of your boy band? Or is it a motorcycle gang?” She gestured to my clothes.

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