I turned toward my van to leave.

“Astrid, he’s in town for you.”

THATCHER

I didn’t know where Astrid lived. I didn’t think of that until I hit the edge of town and had to call Alice. Of course she knew. Turned out Astrid lived above her bakery which was off the far end of Main Street. The building was one of the original stores when the town was founded. Two story and brick, it had a charming front. Parking at the curb, I looked up at the second floor. No lights were on.

The shop was closed, and I went around back to search for a separate apartment entrance. There was none and the van wasn’t in the spot off the alley.

I had to call Alice again and ask for Miss Turnbuckle’s address. I felt like an idiot, but I was on a mission. I wanted Astrid. I wanted to try her strawberry shortcake and show her my barn house. I wanted to take her to dinner. I wanted to climb in her bed after a night at the Lucky Spur when she was waking up to bake for the day.

I didn’t know what any of that really meant except I wanted more. I wanted it to be real.

Miss Turnbuckle didn’t live in the library after all, but a small house a few blocks from Claire’s preschool. It was painted white with black shutters and glossy front door. Window boxes filled with red flowers flanked the entry. It was neat and tidy, just like the owner.

“Hello, Thatcher,” Miss Turnbuckle said when she answered the door. “Who’s your friend?” she asked, when the puppy in my arms wiggled and wanted to lick the woman. She laughed as she pet him.

“He doesn’t have a name yet. I thought Astrid might name him.”

Miss Turnbuckle looked up at me with awe. “The dog’s for Astrid? Well done, young man.”

The one thing Astrid needed was some unconditional love. If she felt she couldn’t get it from people, then she’d get it from a dog. Miss Turnbuckle seemed to think so.

Miss Turnbuckle laughed as the puppy kicked out his leg over and over when she scratched a spot on his side.

“Is Astrid here?” Since the woman was so short, I peeked into her house over her head. I wasn’t one to snoop, but I wasn’t in the mood for small talk.

“She’s at your ranch, dear.”

I looked down at her, stared. “At the ranch?”

She nodded but kept her eyes on the puppy. “She went there for you.”

How had we missed each other on the road into town? Her van was pretty obvious.

I pulled out my cell, fumbled with it since I was holding the puppy.

“Astrid’s here,” Huck said first thing.

I was equally relieved and frustrated.