Chapter 13
T he vintage taxi pulled up in front of Whispering Pines Bed and Breakfast, its headlights casting soft beams across the gravel drive.
The vehicle was straight out of a black-and-white film, complete with a glowing taxi sign on the roof and a driver who looked like he belonged behind the wheel of a classic car.
Alex stepped out of the cab, tugging Fetch along with her. The dog trotted out obediently and then promptly sat on the sidewalk, watching the world like a four-legged lookout.
Jack Henry, the town’s one-and-only taxi driver, lifted her suitcase from the trunk and gave her a wink.
"Thank you, Mr. Henry," Alex said, offering him a warm smile.
"You got it, Kid," Jack replied, climbing back into the driver’s seat. "Welcome home. There’s no place like it."
With a wave, Jack eased the car back onto the road and disappeared down the quiet street.
Alex turned toward the B&B, suitcase in hand. She only made it a few steps before she noticed Fetch hadn’t moved an inch.
"Are you coming, Lady?" she asked, pausing to glance over her shoulder.
Fetch gave her a blink.
She made it to the front door, then turned again. "Lady... Come," Alex called, this time with a little more emphasis.
After a beat of deliberation, Fetch finally stood and sauntered over, joining her at the entrance.
Inside, the lobby was warm and softly lit, the scent of lemon polish and sugar cookies lingering in the air. Tori stood behind the front desk, flipping through a guest ledger, when she looked up to see Alex walk in.
"I thought I was picking you up," Tori said, arching a brow and glancing at her watch.
"The train got in early for a change, so I just took the taxi," Alex replied, already sorting through a stack of mail on the counter.
Tori giggled. "The taxi. Where else can you say that, and it literally means only taxi in town."
"Gotta love small-town living," Alex said with a smirk.
Tori’s gaze drifted toward Fetch, still sitting at a polite distance near the door. "What’s with Lady?"
"She’s acting strange. I think she’s mad because I made her leave the dog park to catch the train," Alex said, tossing her mail back onto the counter.
"Aww. We can play ball tomorrow," Tori offered cheerfully.
Alex glanced down at the dog. "Don’t say the B word. Lost her favorite one at the park. Again . Maybe that’s why she’s pouting."
"It’s kind of cute," Tori said, leaning over the desk with a grin.
"Everything good here?" Alex asked, stifling a yawn.
"Never been B&B better," Tori replied.
Alex raised an eyebrow. "B&B better? Really?"
"Sounded better in my head," Tori admitted with a shrug. "You two go on. You’ve had a long day. I’ll stay until the night shift arrives.”
“Are you sure?” Alex asked.
“Of course,” Tori confirmed.
Alex rounded the counter and gave her friend a grateful hug. “Thank you. You’re a lifesaver.”
“No problem. Get a good night’s sleep. You’re going to need it,” Tori said, eyeing her knowingly.
Alex sighed, already halfway to the stairs. “Ugh. Founders Day. Don’t remind me.”
“Nothing you can’t fix, Mayor,” Tori called.
“Interim Mayor,” Alex corrected over her shoulder.
“Right,” Tori replied with a wink.
Alex glanced at Fetch. “Let’s go, Lady.”
She walked a few steps before noticing Fetch wasn’t moving. She turned with narrowed eyes. “You’re kidding me. Lady, come.”
Fetch gave her one more beat of dramatic silence before rising to follow her up the stairs.
* * *
Down in the city, a few hours from the mountain town Alex called home, another bedroom glowed with warm lamplight—Will’s—echoing hers in quiet, unspoken routine.
In hers, Alex stood in front of the mirror brushing her hair, while Fetch watched silently from the doorway.
In his, Will splashed water on his face, drying off with a towel as Lady sprawled in the doorway like she owned the place—watchful, content, and clearly enjoying the show.
Alex tossed her decorative pillows to the floor one by one, mumbling to herself about how they multiplied on their own. Will did the same, muttering about whoever invented them.
They both climbed into bed, their dogs moving into position—though not in the way either of them had expected.
Alex patted the space beside her. "Really? Are we having a disagreement I’m unaware of? Because of the dog park?" she asked, eyeing Fetch, who opted for a pile of tossed pillows instead.
Will raised a brow at Lady, who had sprawled out across his mattress like it was her rightful throne. "Are we having a spat? Testing boundaries? What happened at the dog park?" he asked.
In near perfect unison, both humans threw their hands in the air, shook their heads, and reached for their bedside lamps. Click. Click. Darkness.
Each wondering—just for a moment—what kind of day tomorrow would bring. Also, wondering about… each other.