Crap. She should have known getting away for a few weeks wouldn’t be that simple. Her heart sunk. She couldn’t afford a new fridge for her sardine can of an apartment, much less one for the cabin. She tried to remember if the town had a used appliances store, but even if it had twenty years ago, that didn’t mean it was still around. Double crap.
If she couldn’t find something—cheap—she wouldn’t be able to stay after all. Tears rimmed her eyelids, but she blinked them back. She’d figure something out. She wasn’t ready to give up on her little getaway, especially if she decided to put the old property up for sale at the end of her stay. With her new resolve, she got dressed. Just because her day hadn’t started the way she’d wanted didn’t mean she had to go out in public looking like she’d crawled out of bed.
One pretty dress, some sensible shoes, and a bit of gloss later, and she was ready to face the world. Maybe if she pretended all was right in her life, it would be for once.
The sleepy town hadn’t changed a whole lot from what she could remember. A few shops, a grocery store, and a pharmacy lined the main street. The park her grandfather used to take her to still stood at the end. The metal monkey bars and slides she remembered climbing had been replaced with newer, more modern play structures. A few children played and laughed while their mothers sat on a bench, chatting together.
Maple drove slowly, allowing the memories she’d long forgotten to seep back in, filling her heart with something she hadn’t felt in a long time—a sense of home. A little further down, she was surprised to see old Mr. Cooper’s ice cream shop was still open. Next to that, the bank, and then her destination, the library.
She pulled her little Acura into a spot on the street rather than in the parking lot. With the weird, little noise coming from the engine, she didn’t want to box herself in anywhere. She probably should have turned back when the sound had started on her drive from the city, but she couldn’t. The need to come home had been more than she could resist. Besides, the thing hadn’t let her down yet. She’d have it looked at when she got back. Maybe. It all depended on whether her uncle pulled through next month or not, she might have to rely on public transit for a while, but she’d cross that bridge when she got to it.
The smell of old books wafted to her nose the moment she opened the library door. Memories had her grinning even before she crossed the threshold. She and her friend, Bonnie, used to come to the library each Saturday. They’d pick a book and sit to read. One thing inevitably led to another, and the giggling began. She couldn’t recall the number of times they’d been asked to leave by the head librarian, Mrs. Wentworth.
“Well, I’ll be. Janice was right for once,” came a much too loud voice from behind the counter.
Maple looked over in time to see a gorgeous woman step around it and come toward her. Her blond hair was tied in a messy bun on her head, and the woman wore a sensible blouse and dress pants but looked nothing like what she’d expect a librarian to look.
“It is you, isn’t it, Maple?”
Maple looked at the woman. The chubby cheeks were gone, and her body wasn’t that of a child anymore, but she’d recognize those sky-blue eyes anywhere. “How have you been, Bonnie?”
“I’m great. How long has it been? Are you back for good?”
A loud shush came from a nearby table, and Bonnie grinned, exposing two deep dimples. “Some things never change,” she said in a quieter tone.
“I’m here for a few weeks, but then I have to head back to the city, unfortunately.”
A strange look crossed the woman’s face. “That’s too bad.”
“Yeah, I’ve missed the place. There’s work to be done at the cabin, but it’s still as pretty as it used to be. Speaking of which, do you have a book on fixing a shower faucet?” As much as she’d love to stay and chat, she had to figure out what the hell she was going to do.
“Yep, I’m sure we do. Come with me,” she said as she led the way to the far corner of the library. She ran a fingertip lovingly across the spines, then came to a stop when she found what she was looking for. “Here you go.”
Maple took the book from her. “I don’t suppose there’s a used appliance store here in town, is there?” she asked. There was no point in fixing the faucet if she had to leave again.
Her heart sunk as Bonnie shook her head. “No, unfortunately. The closest appliance store is three hours away in Red Rock. What are you looking for?”
“The old fridge died on me. If I can’t get one, I won’t be staying after all,” she tried to keep her tone light, but the words sounded strained, even to her.
“Oh, wait. I think I know someone who has one.”
“Really? That would be great, thank you.” Her spirits lifted as her childhood friend pulled a cell out of her pocket.
Maple flipped through the pages of the book. The job didn’t look all that complicated, but she’d need tools. “I guess I should get a library card and check this out.”
Bonnie smiled and took the book from her hands. “Hang on. I think I have a better solution. I know someone who can do that for you. He won’t even mind going out there at the last minute.”
Maple was already shaking her
