My eyes widened. “I’m so sorry, Callie. I didn’t…I didn’t know.”
She placed her hand on my arm and gave it a gentle squeeze. “It’s okay. I’m just saying, I wouldn’t be surprised if Abby has been seeing a therapist this entire time.”
“Right. Of course, it makes sense.”
“I’ve got to run. Talk to you next week.”
“Enjoy the party with Lynn,” I said, holding her door while she got in.
“I will!”
I shut the door, lifted my hand, and waved. Then I glanced around the parking lot and saw Abby’s car. I guess she hadn’t seen mine, since I’d parked around the side of the building. I wasn’t sure why, but the first time I’d gone to see Callie, a part of me hadn’t wanted people to drive by and see my truck out front. It had become a habit to park on the side now.
Small-town gossip. Not that I was embarrassed about my sessions with Callie—it was just that I had kept that part of my life to myself, outside of a couple friends. My folks didn’t even know I was seeing anyone.
I made my way through the parking lot and to the side of the building where I got into my truck. I drove across Main and pulled into O’Hara Construction. Putting my truck in park, I sat there and waited to see how long it would be before Abby walked out.
After twenty minutes of watching the building across the street like a stalker, my passenger door opened and Aiden got in.
He laughed. “I was starting to wonder if you were trying to decide to come in or not, until I noticed you staring at the medical building across the street. Who in the hell are you stalking?”
“Abby.”
He turned and looked at the building. “Who’s she seeing?”
“Someone by the name of Christina Nash.”
“Oh, Christina is amazing. She works part time at the clinic.”
I turned and looked him. “She does?”
He nodded. “Great therapist. She’s actually one of the state’s best PTSD and grief therapists. It took a lot of convincing on my part to get her to come to Boggy Creek. In the end, she really liked what we were about at the clinic, and she decided she needed a change from Boston. She moved here about six months ago.”
Right then, Abby walked out and headed to her car.
“They’re having a girls’ sleepover at Greer’s tonight,” Aiden said. “I think we need a guys’ night out too. How about poker night at my place? I’m sure Greer will kick Hudson out of the house, and he’ll need a place to crash.”
Abby pulled out and headed down Main Street. My chest ached as I watched her drive by. Looking over at Aiden, I replied, “Poker night sounds like a good plan.”
Abby
I pulled up to Greer and Hudson’s house twenty minutes early. I’d always loved the Steck residence. It was a Victorian-style historical home, and I knew Greer had also always loved it as well. It had been built by one of the first doctors to settle in Boggy Creek Valley, and it looked like it had been recently painted white. I hadn’t been in the house in years and was curious to see all the changes that had been made.
Greer’s boyfriend, Hudson Higgins, was a bestselling author who had fallen in love with Boggy Creek and Greer. He’d bought the house outside of town after deciding to stay in Boggy Creek, and he had asked Greer to move in with him. I was so happy for my friend. She truly deserved the happiness she’d found with Hudson.
I parked and grabbed my overnight bag and made my way up the steps to the large front porch. Rocking chairs sat on both sides of the front door, and, on the left, a porch swing swayed softly in the wind. It was so charming, and I couldn’t wait to see what flowers Greer put on this porch next spring. My head was already swimming with ideas for her.
The front door of the house opened and Greer came rushing out onto the front porch. “Eeeepp! I’m so excited!”
I barely made it up the steps before she wrapped me in her arms and hugged me tightly. When she finally let me take a step back, she gave me a once-over.
“How are you doing? I heard you and Bishop had breakfast together this morning.”
My mouth fell open. “Who told you that?”
“Tess told Maggie, who then told Renee, Willa’s mom, who told Maddie Brooks, who announced it to everyone when she was in Annie James buying a new dress for her anniversary.”
I blinked a few times. Before I could say anything, Greer went on.
“Arabella happened to be in Annie James looking for PJs, because she said the only ones she owns are from high school.” Greer laughed. “By the way, she knows Brighton will be here.” My head swam as Greer hooked her arm with mine and led me to the door. “Of course, Arabella called me as soon as she left the boutique. So?”