Amos stares after her and then turns to me when she disappears. “I am a lucky man.”
“I am too, sir. I am too.”
Epilogue - Nora
November
It’s cold. I’m hungry. I miss my best friend.
But a certain ex-boyfriend has taken over my favorite spot inside Baked & Brewed, so a hot flakey chocolate croissant is not in the cards today.
He’s lucky I’m late for my meeting, otherwise, I might just go in there, drag him out by his ear, and make him go home.
I pass by Baked & Brewed, drooling over the croissant I can see from here, and then make my way to Preening Pages. The front of the bookstore is decorated with such care. Clementine lends to the charm of that place. Whoever owns it should pay her double. I pause to take a few pictures of the adorable pumpkins, pretty mums, and fall garland that decorates the front of the building. Naturally, I send it to my best friend.
Me: The Hallmark movie is starting without you.
Her response is immediate.
Kayla: Why is my life the opposite of yours right now? I should run away.
Me: Or you could finish your book and get down here already.
She sends me laughing crying emojis, but she doesn’t have a comeback. It’s starting to grate on me. Something’s going on with my best friend. I’m a million miles away from her and can’t help. Maybe I should leave Budgie Bay and check on her.
Me: I can come kidnap you. I miss you that much. I can be the crazy friend for once.
Kayla: I love you but for once I have to be the responsible one. This deadline is looming. Give me until the new year. Then the kidnapping can commence.
It’s something. I’ll take it.
Me: Started a countdown on my phone. Eat lots of turkey next week. Love your face.
After I shove my phone in my purse, I climb the steps and walk inside Preening Pages. I’m met with the delectable scent of cinnamon and apples. I hope she has the cider I like and not another candle. It’s such a letdown when I smell food only for it to be made of wax. Clementine thinks it’s so funny she keeps sending me videos from a social media account where a lady makes food out of wax to trick people. I’m starting to understand why Elias doesn’t like her.
“Hey, girl,” Clementine says from behind the register area. “Got you something hot to drink.”
Okay, so just kidding. I do like her.
“I love you,” I murmur as I accept my cider. “Is everyone here already?”
“Caroline is chompin’ at the bit to get started. Be ready.”
I thank her for the warning and then make my way to the back of the store where there’s a big room that can be rented out for meetings. The Budgie Bay Tourism Board meets here twice a month. Caroline, a lady in her late seventies and a thorn in my side, is chairman of this particular board.
If it weren’t for my need to protect the budgies, I’d have bailed months ago.
“Ms. Caroline,” I say as I enter the room, voice sugary sweet. “How are you, hon?”
She doesn’t respond with words. Just her usual glare. This woman is as crabby as they come. It’s no wonder my grandma had beef with her. That was a little nugget I found out when reading through her mountains of journals. It went in the book, too.
I shed my coat and take my seat at the table next to my newest friend, Isabel Romero, who I’ve learned owns Wild Petal. She always smells like flowers and she’s a nice woman not too much older than me. She winks at me and pats my hand when I sit.
“Now that everyone’s here,” Caroline says coolly, “we need to start discussing BudgieFest.”
“I’m still working on the new permit requirements for breeders,” I say in an equally chilly tone. “Should have something for us to vote on soon. It’ll likely come via email.”
I take my new city job and my position on this board very seriously.
