Page 38 of Mountain Bean Dream
“Thanks for driving it here. You were much better this time.”
“Maybe it is like riding a bicycle, and by the third outing, I’ll be a pro.”
“A fixologist, a squirrel whisperer,anda stick driver. You really are the Jeremy of all trades.” I grinned as I spoke.
Jeremy’s smile hadn’t faltered since leaving the lodge, and dare I say, there was even a hint of a spring in his steps.
He exited my car and helped me onto my feet.
“Watch your step,” he said, pointing to the curb that had unended my life last night. What a wild day it had been.
“That’s the Molly Down curb of shame.” I shook my head and gave it a wide berth as I walked toward my door.
“What’s on your agenda for tonight?”
I unlocked my door and opened it, allowing the evening sun to penetrate the space and brighten it. “I think I’m going to relax. Maybe go to sleep early.”
“No headache? Or anything out of the ordinary?”
I shook my head. “No. Just achiness in the arm.”
“That’s to be expected. Give it time.” He rocked back and forth and thrust his hands into the pocket of his hoodie.
“I will. Thank you for being with me today. I really enjoyed it, and I learned lots too.”
“So did I.” The slight wrinkles in the corner of his eyes crinkled with his smile. “So tomorrow…”
“Yeah?”
“I like to arrive at the Coffee Loft for—”
“Ten-fifteen on the nose.” He was my gold standardregular.
“Exactly. And Google says it’ll take us fifty-one minutes to walk there, so if you’d like to join me, I’ll be leaving here at nine twenty-four.” He held his breath while waiting for an answer, and then slowly let it out. “But I know it’s a long walk, so I’m okay to go it alone.”
I scanned my room and spotted my running shoes. “No way, I’ll join you. It’s the least I can do for all you’ve done for me. I was just trying to figure out what time to set my alarms for.”
“Great. I’d like the company.” He licked his lips. “Well, I’ll let you get some rest. If you need anything at all, I left my number on the table for you. Please call me. For anything. Like you need a tea bag, or you can’t figure out what twelve down is.”
“Did you leave a crossword puzzle too?” A smile tugged on my lips, especially when he didn’t answer. “Sounds good, thank you.”
Hesitantly, he stepped back. Was he as reluctant to go as I was?
“Well, goodnight, Jeremy.”
“Goodnight, Molly.”
Although I really didn’t want to, I closed the door, sighing and leaning against it.
* * *
My first alarm went off, and then the second. It was on the third that I finally shot up. Another night of a weird mix of failed relationships, all culminating in some sort of bizarre nightmare dream sequences. I was getting tired of this.
“Oh beans,” I gasped, jumping out of bed. I had less than half an hour to ready myself, have a quick bite to eat, and meet Jeremy at the office. That wasn’t much.
My elbow was sporting a ghastly, deep purple tinge and it protested heavily when I tried to stretch it out which madeshowering an epic feat. It’s amazing how much I took for granted having two working arms, as simple tasks like toweling my hair and getting dressed proved to be incredibly time-consuming. However, by nine-twenty, I was dressed, with a smattering of makeup on, and staring at my runners wondering how the heck I was going to get them tied.
Leaving them untied, I locked up and motored over to the motel office just as Jeremy was exiting. His whole face lit right up as if a stage light was pointed at him. It made the butterflies in my gut take flight, which really surprised me.