Tangle (Dogwood Lane 2)

“Hey, now,” I say, following him. “Let’s keep the poodle spa out of this.”

He stops at the top of the hill and faces me. There’s a hint of trepidation on his face. We watch each other closely.

“All joking aside,” I say, “Haley’s cool. And I respect you protecting her. But when it comes to me, you just have one thing to be worried about.”

“What’s that?”

I start toward the house, looking at Dane over my shoulder. “You’re going to be in over your head on the puppy suite.”

“The puppy suite?”

I step onto the stoop. “Wait until you see these sketches.”

Dane mumbles under his breath as he steps inside. After a quick glance at the spot Haley’s car occupied near the tree, I follow him.

CHAPTER FIVE

HALEY

I survey the desk littered with book requests, pens, and file folders. This space was the first spot in Dogwood Lane to feel like home. It feels like the end of an era as I toss my personal effects into my bag.

I was welcomed here with open arms the year Mia started all-day preschool. While I never considered I’d stay here forever, it was comfortable. Even though it was unsatisfying from time to time, I wasn’t in a hurry to leave. I didn’t even jet out of here after getting let go—I stuck around most of the day, helping to get things organized and making sure Sandra, my boss, knows where the files are that she will be needing. Now that I have to leave, my stomach is a little unsure.

“I’m so sorry, Haley,” Sandra says. She stops at the front desk, her eyes full of concern. “I did not want to tell you I had to let you go. That’s the hardest time I’ve ever had giving someone news like that.”

“It’s not your fault. The budget got cut, and to be honest with you, Sandra, I’d rather they trim some of us than shut the whole place down.”

Her eyes fill with tears again. “I know. Me too. But I’m so scared that’s what’s going to happen, Haley. The town isn’t growing anymore, and the tax base is shrinking. They just refuse to see the value in the library over filling potholes in the road.”

I circle the desk and pull her into a hug. “It’ll be all right. I know it. I don’t know how, exactly, but I know it will.”

Her perfume reminds me of my mother’s, the soft fabric of her dress providing the comfort I imagine my mother would give me too. Losing Mom so long ago is a wound that’s never quite healed.

“You are such a bright light in the world.” Sandra pulls back and touches the side of my face. “If you ever need anything at all, you let me know. You hear me?”

“Of course. And if you need anything, you know where to find me.”

I head around the desk and stuff my favorite mug rug into my bag. Sandra brushes her fingers over a waxy plant sitting next to it.

“I hope we don’t kill these with you being gone,” she says. “You’re so good with them.”

“Just don’t water them too much. That’s where you go wrong.”

She laughs. “You know, I heard Jennifer is hiring at the flower shop.”

“Really?” I look up. “I might check that out.”

“It could be a good fit.” Tears fill her eyes again. “We’re going to miss you around here.”

I move around the desk and hug her again. I know she’s going to miss me, but I also know the tears are about a lot more than this being my last day. They’re the result of a stressful day of letting go of people she cares about and feeling terrible about it.

I get it. I’ve thought about looking for a job a hundred times over the last couple of years—just something different and more challenging. But I didn’t because I didn’t want to hurt her feelings. Funny how that works.

“I’ll come by to visit,” I say, pulling back. “Besides, I’ve put so many romances on the shelves just because I wanted them, I have to come in to borrow them.”

Sandra wipes her eyes. “I do the same thing, but with thrillers. Perks of the job.”

“Thanks for everything, Sandra. Not just for the job but also for teaching me to crochet last winter. And that tip on hard-boiling eggs. Game changer right there.”

“It’s one of my best-kept secrets.” The smile fades from her face as I hoist my bag onto my shoulder. “Take care of yourself. Come see me. And call me if you need anything.”

With a final smile and a little nod, I head toward the front. Nathaniel, a little ginger-headed boy, sits on a tiny stool. He looks up from a book and waves. I raise my hand before looking away.

My heart twists in my chest as I push open the heavy doors. I rustle through my bag for my keys, and the cool air hits my face as I step outside.