43. “Runnin’ Down a Dream”

43

"RUNNIN' DOWN A DREAM"

TOM PETTY

T he next month flew by, and while the final days before the ribbon cutting were a mix of two steps forward, one step back, the evening of the big event arrived with all the fanfare one would expect from a group whose moniker began with ‘Fabulous'. Sarah had outdone herself on the kitchen counter- turned-charcuterie-board. It had been transformed into an overflowing city of appetizers, tiered-tray skyscrapers held finger sandwiches aloft, towering over streets paved with cheddar, lined with broccoli trees, cracker-stack houses, and swimming pools of ranch. Brand new flatware waited in the wings, next to shining rows of forks, and neat piles of crisp, white linen napkins.

A loud sound reverberating from the direction of the back door broke me from my reverie. A kick? I glanced at the tablet on the counter. The top left square framed the sight of a smiling Jenna, arms laden with square white boxes filled to bursting with all things sugar, flour, and butter.

I swung the door open, unlocked more often than not since Craig had spent his first night in jail. He'd been unable to cajole anyone into bailing him out .

With any luck, he'll sit there until his trial, lamenting the pathetic man he's become.

"Head on in, sweetie. Set up wherever you can find space. I think the table in the breakfast nook would work great. Do you need help?"

Setting the last of the bakery boxes on the glass table, Jenna turned around to face me. "Once I made it down the stairs and got everything into my car, I was home free. The setup is the fun part. I've had nightmares about dropping these boxes and sliding down the stairs on a river of frosting."

"Well, that would definitely throw a wrench in the evening, wouldn't it? Are you all settled in now?"

In a town like ours, if there was news to tell, there were plenty willing to tell it. Word of Craig's involvement in the break-in and vandalism of my Jeep spread through the phone lines like Norovirus through a first-grade classroom. Cat had immediately insisted Jenna move into the recently vacated apartment above the café, and Jenna, partially convinced by the lack of commute to work, gave her an answer on the spot. Grace had found an inexpensive used vehicle and worked out a very slow payment plan with Jenna.

Now to make sure that cretin stays in jail while she heals—or forever. Hey, a girl can dream, right?

Speaking of dreams, much of that day and every day that had led up to it since I pulled into town had felt very much like a dream. Not the ones that wake you in the middle of the night, crouched in the corner, waiting to rejoin you when you fall back to sleep. This dream felt like home and looked like a calm day at the beach and smelled like… frosting!

I shook my head to clear it. On the kitchen display, I could see headlights guiding cars into the driveway, and I rushed back to the door to greet my guests.

It was no surprise that Grace was the next to arrive after Jenna. As I opened the door, I was greeted by the sight of the remaining members of the Sensational Six.

"I can't believe you pulled this off!" exclaimed Elyse, putting up one ring-bedazzled hand for a high five. Mirroring her motion, I managed to make contact.

"Sarah, I can't believe you got all that ranch out of your hair." I laughed, turning to hug Sarah, who had gone home to shower and change after a particularly harrowing experience opening a bottle of dressing. "Yeah, that was my fastest shower ever," she replied.

"Looks like your timing was perfect," said Grace, sending a wink Sarah's way as she and Elyse turned to face the driveway.

Odd.

"Yes, it was perfect timing. Well, come on in. Oh, whose car is this pulling in now?" A sleek black SUV I didn't recognize parked right behind Grace's Range Rover. The driver's door opened, and when I saw who stepped out from behind it, I was grateful Grace was still standing next to me and had the forethought to set her bags down. I reached out to the side and grabbed Grace's arm to steady myself. I felt a scream bubble up…