Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 93301 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 467(@200wpm)___ 373(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93301 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 467(@200wpm)___ 373(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
“I’m sorry it took me so long to find that guy.”
“Don’t worry about it,” I said. “Hoop’s annoying, but he’s harmless. I’m frankly shocked he had the wherewithal to find this place and get himself here, let alone hide out in the woods. He must really be desperate.”
“If he’s so broke, how’d he pay for this trip?”
“Who knows?” I loosened my grip and tilted my head back. “Listen, I’m just glad I only had one photographer to contend with up here. Usually it’s a herd of them. And even though he trespassed, it could have been a lot worse. He could have taken pictures through the windows.”
“I wonder why he didn’t,” Xander said. “Wouldn’t he have gotten a lot more money for those?”
“Let’s not look a gift horse in the mouth.” I took his hand again and started walking back toward the cabin. “I should start packing up, get the cabin in order. I have to be back in Nashville tomorrow.”
“What time do you want to leave?”
“About seven a.m. Is that okay?”
He nodded. “I’ll make it work.”
We reached the porch, and Xander pulled the door open for me. “I’ll help you get this place cleaned up, and then we’ll need to go to my house so I can grab a few extra things.”
“Of course,” I said. “Maybe we can have dinner in town. What was that place you wanted to take me before I left?”
“Mo’s Diner. You definitely can’t leave Cherry Tree Harbor without having a burger and milkshake at Mo’s.”
I clapped my hands. “Then let’s do that.”
“I’ll clean out the fridge. Do you have instructions for trash?”
“Yes. One second.” I headed over to the kitchen counter, where I’d left my phone, and pulled up my email. Scrolling through my inbox, I found the message Jess had forwarded with all the check-in and check-out instructions. “Here. Everything is listed in this email.”
He glanced at it and nodded. “Okay. I’ll take care of it. Did you change your password yet?”
“No, but I will do it tonight. I promise.” I gave him a quick kiss on the cheek before hurrying into the bedroom, where I experienced a catch in my chest as I began to repack my clothes in my suitcase. This trip definitely hadn’t been what I’d envisioned for myself—solitude, silence, reflection—but I was leaving with a renewed sense of myself and my self-worth, and I supposed that had been the goal all along.
Funny how Xander had made all the difference after I’d tried so hard to get rid of him. Now I was so grateful he’d come into my life.
Guess I’d have to rewrite our song.
Austin, Veronica, and the kids met us at Mo’s Diner for dinner. It was the quintessential fifties-style hot spot, complete with black and white checkerboard floor, an old-fashioned counter lined with red vinyl and silver chrome stools, signed movie star headshots on the wall, and a juke box in the corner.
Ari was our server, and she recommended the Bollywood Burger, sweet potato fries, and a vanilla milkshake. Sitting in the roomy booth between Xander and Adelaide, across from Austin, Veronica, and Owen, I felt so light and happy, it was like gravity didn’t exist.
When we were done, I hugged Ari and thanked her for the best burger I’d ever had.
“You’re welcome,” she said, taking a little bow. “The Bollywood Burger was my idea. I’m trying to get my parents to stir things up around here. The menu has been the same forever.”
“Well, it was delicious,” I told her. “And the sweet potato fries were perfect with it.”
“Thanks. It was really nice meeting you. Do you think maybe you could send an autographed picture for our wall?” She gestured to the photos above our booth.
“Of course! I’d be honored to grace the wall next to Dashiel Buckley.”
Ari made a face. “I’ll give you a better spot.”
I laughed. “Uh oh. Not a fan of Malibu Splash?”
“It’s complicated.” She waved a hand in the air. “But anyway, thank you so much for coming in! I promise to come to a concert on the next tour.”
“You better! Here, let me give you my number. Just text me what show you want to come to, and I’ll get you good seats and backstage passes.” We exchanged phone numbers and another hug before saying goodbye.
The kids wanted ice cream for dessert, so we wandered down the street, the guys up ahead with the kids, Veronica and I ambling a little ways behind.
“So you’re leaving tomorrow,” she said. “And Xander’s going with you?”
“Yes. He’s going to drive my rented minivan, and then fly home next week.”
“Are you glad to be going home?”
“Kind of.” I shrugged. “I’m excited about the awards show performance, but I also wish I didn’t have to cut my trip short. I really love it here.”
“You can always come back to visit,” she suggested. “I’m sure Xander would like that.”