CHAPTER 49
Walker
HOPE HARBOR TOWN CHAT
RAYNA: Does anyone know where the Darling girls disappeared to? I just got an email that book club is canceled?
BABS: Book club is canceled?
BABS: I just stopped by the store. The bookstore is closed. It’s never closed!
I shake my head and scroll past the town group chat and down to the one that’s been silent for hours.
TALLY: Last minute girls’ trip with Penny. We’ll be back in a few days.
ME: where are you going?
ME: Did you get there okay?
ME: Tally, please just let me know you’re okay. I’m going out of my mind here.
Her last text was sent this afternoon, and now it’s almost dusk.
I’d been busy meeting with Fletcher, the town’s lawyer, and Gail, trying to make this impossible situation more tenable for everyone.
But if Tally doesn’t answer her phone soon, I’m going to storm out of this meeting and go search for her. Something’s very wrong. I can feel it.
“Are you sure this is what you want to do?” Fletcher taps his pen against his finger, one, two, three times.
I glance over at Gail and she nods.
I practically swallow my tongue trying to answer. I have no idea if this will make things better or worse. I just know that we need to pay Frank his money and get him out of our lives forever.
I hope Tally forgives me, that one day she understands I did this all for her. I pick up my phone again and then drop it; a message hasn’t miraculously popped up. Taking a deep breath, I take the proffered pen and sign page after page, forever changing the ownership of Darling Daffodils Farm.
Hours later, I’m pacing the porch, at my wit’s end. No one knows where the girls are, and if anyone has a clue why they disappeared, they’re not talking. Rosie merely looked at me and said “You screwed up, Cowboy” when I tried to talk to her.
I’m trying not to worry Gail. Fortunately, we were so busy sorting out everything today, I don’t think she’s noticed the girls haven’t been home. Plus, she isn’t big on using the phone so I doubt she’s seen the messages in the town chat.
I type out another desperate message.
ME: Tally, please baby, whatever I did, I’m sorry. Just tell me you’re okay.