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“I’m great. Just a little emotional these days. With the sale of the house and all. It feels so permanent.” She pauses, sucks in a breath. Exhales on a sigh. “I love it here, but I really miss you. And my parents. And Lucy, Brooke, and Spencer. Everyone at the library.” She snorts. “I even miss Mr. Dudley.”
“Impossible.”
“No, really. What is wrong with me? I need to know. How is his comb-over?”
“Present and accounted for,” I say. “So is his walkie-talkie and clipboard. The pepperoni breath. Last time I checked, all intact.”
“Oh, thank goodness.” Emi and I laugh, but my nose still begins to sting. Then tears prick the corners of my eyes. “You know, Apple Valley will always be your hometown, Em. Even when it’s not your home anymore.”
By now tears are officially streaming down Emi’s cheeks, and I swipe at my own eyes. In the background, I hear a door shut.
“Oh no,” Nash moans. “Not again.” He pokes his head into the shot and points at me. “Hey! Little McCoy. Are you making my wife cry?”
“No!” I blurt out. “Okay.” I sniffle. “Maybe. A little bit.”
“It’s not her fault,” Emi wails. “I’m just so… so… happy.”
“Me too,” I choke out. “Please don’t cry! I’m just excited about camp. And the kids. And this new job. It’s such a great opportunity.”
Nash darts his eyes from Emi to me and back to Emi. “That’s a lot of bawling for ladies claiming to be happy.” He shakes his head and straightens. “I sure do love the mystery that is womanhood.”
I clear my throat and gather myself. I’m not a crier. Blubbering isn’t my thing. “I’m good, Nash,” I say. “And as I told Emi, I’ve got the place sparkling clean. It’s all ready for the perfect buyer.”
Nash bends down into the screen again. “Thanks, Tess. Really. It means a lot that you’ve been there taking care of the place for me. You know how special that house is. But it’s time we set down roots here.”
My heart fills at this, and I’m about to break into fresh tears, so I blink them back and gulp. My raccoon eyes are bad enough. “Hey. As fun as this has been”—I snort—“you two need to get on with your day, and so do I. Places to go, things to do, people to see.”
Emi nods, and her curls bob. “Okay. Talk soon.”
Nash smiles. “We’ll keep you posted. I’m glad you’ll be staying at the ranch, so you won’t be bugged by any showings.”
When we end the call, I burrow back under the comforter. I want to hide out in the dark. But the day is too bright already. So I force myself up. I wasn’t lying. I do have a long list of things to accomplish.
First up? A run to clear my head, then a hot shower and a quick trip to The Donut Depot. After that, I’m supposed to meet the camp’s cook at the ranch to sort through provisions. Last, but not least on today’s docket, is a tour of the ranch. Just Spencer and me. I’ll show him the cabins. The schedules. The office. My stomach flips over. I hope he approves.
Or maybe I’m just hungry.
