“Not at all.” She waved my card. “I’ll pass this along to my parents.”

“Thank you!”

I took some pictures and, not wanting to leave the store empty-handed, selected a random romance novel from the shelf to purchase on my way out. A few minutes later, I stepped out into the sunshine in bright spirits. Derek was right when he’d said there was always a story. Little by little, I was finding mine.

Deeming a break well-deserved, I went back to the park to read my new book: Rescue Me. Less than a sentence into the back cover, I discovered my mistake. The hero’s name was Finn McAllister. Finn. I shoved the novel back in the bag. Break over.

I was a block away from the B&B when Kate called. “Perfect timing!”

“Where are you?” she asked.

“Pleasant Hollow.”

“Obvi, but where? Any chance you’re near the B&B?”

“As a matter of fact, I’m…” I let my voice drop off as my eyes locked on a familiar face about twenty-five feet away. I squealed—loudly. Seriously, guinea pigs had nothing on me.

Like lovers reuniting, we ran into each other’s arms and rocked back and forth. A tear fell from my eye.

“You’re here,” I said into her apricot-scented hair.

“I’m here,” she repeated, squeezing me tight.

Chapter Thirty-Three

Chapter Thirty-Three

I can’t believe you’re here.” Standing outside the B&B, I studied Kate’s face as if she might turn into someone else if I blinked.

Her light brown eyes held my gaze. “You sounded so lost this morning. I told my boss I had a family emergency and took the rest of today and tomorrow off.”

I shook my head slowly with a close-lipped smile. “I did not see this coming. You cut off our call so quickly.”

She placed her hands on her hips. “Yes! So I could borrow Diego’s car and be here in time for a late lunch. Say hi to Mia the Kia,” she said, jutting her chin to where her boyfriend’s silver Kia Soul was parked across the street.

“You’re amazing.” I grabbed the handle of her small purple-paisley roller suitcase. “If my room is ready, we can drop this off and I can show you around.”

Kate’s sustainably sourced tan suede booties lifted two inches off the ground. “I can’t wait.”

I giggled. Her overenthusiasm reminded me of mine that first day. I hoped she would take the disappointment in stride.

Kate followed me inside the B&B, and I checked into Room E for the second time in as many weeks. It took longer than it had to, thanks to Kate’s numerous unsuccessful attempts to suck up to Lorraine.

Afterward, I said, “I told you she’s not the warm and fuzzy type.”

“What a letdown.” Kate looked like she might cry.