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“Well, we’re starting off the new year well with just a few animals. When everyone who got a dog or cat for Christmas decides after a month that they no longer want the work, we’ll have room for them.”
They chatted a few more minutes, and Maggie left for the cottage with Brulee. She grabbed her phone and a cup of coffee and went back out on the porch. She’d gotten a text from Justin shortly after they’d left for the walk.
“Hey, I just got in. When are you coming over?”
“I thought I’d let you have some space tonight,” he said. “And I have news. I found an apartment.”
It was undeniable. This was not the way she thought she’d feel—a mixture of sadness and regret.
“Wow, that was fast. I’m happy for you,” she said. “I’m sorry you’re not coming here tonight because we’ll be alone, but I appreciate it. Where is it?”
“You’ll laugh. It’s within walking distance of my dad’s, so I’ll be close to work.”
“Well, that’s great,” she said, meaning it.
“I’ll start packing tonight, then. I can have the apartment right away if I want it, but there’s no rush.”
“Well, it’s good you don’t have to rush around.”
“Right, no rushing. How’d the rest of your day go?” he asked.
“After you left, I finished up work for a client,” she said, already feeling how empty her night would be without Justin. But it was what she wanted. What was so great about being alone, anyway? “How was yours?”
“Crazy. And don’t forget, tomorrow we have wild horse preservation, and I can go this month.”
“Oh, great! I’m so glad. Do you want me to meet you there, and I’ll go with Gloria and Bubba?”
“If you’re okay coming with them, that will be fine. This is the first meeting I’ve been to since your boating accident,” he said.
“I heard you made a dramatic exodus,” she said, laughing. “All’s well that ends well.”
“I’m just glad you’re okay.”
“Justin, before I forget, have you noticed anything off about Steve Casson? Asking for a friend.”
“More than usual? He’s a flake, Maggie.”
“Do you know if he’s up to no good?”
“No, because we aren’t exactly confidants. Anything specific?”
She decided to let it go in case in a fit of male forgetfulness, he actually confronted Steve about her questions and made trouble for Annie.
“No, nothing. Just wondering. I’ll let you go,” she said. “Talk later?”
“Absolutely. Love you, Maggie,” he said.
“I love you, too.”
She felt better after their conversation, but would examine why it suddenly bothered her that he was giving her space and moving into his own apartment, all things she’d asked for.
Now with a solitary night stretched out before her, she would take advantage of it, thinking of things she would do that she normally wouldn’t do if Justin was there. Maybe it was time to clean house after the hectic long weekend. And she could read. Or shop online.
She decided to call Annie, who had been distraught that afternoon. But the call went to voicemail.
Annie was sitting on the edge of the couch, aiming the remote at the TV to shut it off, when her phone beeped, but she ignored it.
“Annie, what the hell? I was watching that.”
