"Yes, that would be perfect. Thanks, Ab."
"Sure. I really think things are starting to come together. "
"Do you think?"
"Yes, Payton, you have to stop being so hard on yourself. Seriously, when I arrived today, I was expecting this place to be a mess, according to your description. But instead, it's just like the name of the store, 'Picture Perfect.' "
"Aww, thanks, Abby. It feels like I live here as of late, so I would hope it's starting to have the resemblance of a real business."
I managed to get a good deal on renting the store Cole discovered. Its location was not far from the center of town. I was surprised to see the place was still vacant. It turned out, the owner had taken the for rent sign down and was considering selling instead. We worked out a deal, and with a little help, this place was really starting to look nice.
"Payton, I'm going to give you a pass to work long hours now because you're just getting things up and running. After the opening, you have to promise me you're going to set decent hours for yourself."
I nodded but wasn't sure how realistic that would be.
"You do understand that I'm running this place by myself, right?"
"Understood. But, plans are in place to hire part-time help. You don't have to listen to me if you don't want to, but just recall the times we used to practically live at the Inn as little kids. Remember the long hours Mom and Dad used to work?"
"Yes, I can also recall it eventually paid off for them."
She walked over and rested her hands on my shoulders.
"Not before having an impact on Dad's health and forcing them into retirement."
"True."
Abby returned to breaking down boxes and popping bubble wrap.
"Besides, you have a love life to attend to and a potential step-daughter to spend time with."
I stared at the position of the coo-coo clock nestled in the corner.
"You're rather quiet over there. Is everything okay with you and Cole?"
"Everything is good, I guess."
"You guess? Alright, spill the beans. Something's bothering you. I know that sound when I hear it."
"It's nothing, really."
Abby gave me a blank stare. Probably because she knew I was a terrible liar.
"Everything is fine with Cole. It's Lexi that I'm concerned about."
"Lexi Donovan?"
"The one and only. She and her mother, who I affectionately refer to as Cruella, are on a mission to destroy our relationship."
I didn't know this to be a fact, but it sure did feel like it.
"I remember you saying something about them back when Mrs. Donovan was your client. That was a while ago. I thought surely everyone had moved on by now."
"Well, I guess I didn't mention it before now, but they persuaded Cole to do Mrs. Donovan's kitchen renovation."
"Persuaded? Come on, Payton. He is in the renovation business to make money. I'm sure all she had to do was call and book an appointment just like everyone else."
"Not so. Cole has been overbooked for months and kept telling her he wasn't sure he would be able to take on the job. He even went as far as offering some good recommendations of other companies that he works with on occasion. But nooo. Mrs. Donovan doesn't take no for an answer. I know first hand because it took forever for me to finally wrap up the photography job I had with her. That woman acted as if she was going to make me a permanent part of the staff."
"Okay,” she said.
"They sent Emmie clothing from the boutique to kiss up to Cole until he eventually caved in and said yes. Prior to him agreeing, she used to send Lexi over to his house to 'butter him up,' as she would say. And to make matters worse, Mrs. Donovan came right out and told me she thought Lexi was a good fit for Cole. As if she didn't already know we were dating."
"Now, that's a bit much!"
"Do you think?"
Abby put down the bubble wrap and rested her hand on her hips.
"Did you tell Cole?"
"Why? So I could risk looking like a jealous new girlfriend? Absolutely not! Besides, I didn't want to start giving Cole the impression that I didn't trust him. It's bad enough that I have trust issues from a failed marriage."
"Makes sense. But that was last year, Payton. If this is still going on, maybe you need to find a gentle way to bring it up."
"I'm two steps ahead of you! After what happened today, I'm definitely going to bring it up. I went over to their house to drop off his lunch just as I would normally do whenever I have the spare time. He's always welcomed the idea of me bringing lunch, and his clients never complain about it."
"Let me guess. Lexi was there?"
"Not only was she there, but she took the food, wouldn't let me in, and practically slammed the door in my face."
A slightly exaggerated version, but it's the principle that matters.
"Cole didn't come looking for you?"
"No. But only God knows what she may have told him."
"True," Abby said.
The telephone rang and startled the both of us. We laughed at the old push-button phone. It sounded like an alarm clock, but the vintage look fell right in line with my parlor theme.
I paused to clear my throat. "Picture Perfect."
"Payton, oh, I'm so glad I caught you."
"Mom? Are you okay?"
"Your father is missing. Please tell me either you or Abby have heard from him?"
"I haven't spoken to Dad since I left the house this morning. What's going on?"
"Is Abby with you?"
"Yes, she's been here with me for most of the day."
Abby was mouthing to me in the background, "What's wrong?"
I gave Abby a brief run down and asked her to check our cell phones. Maybe one of us had a missed call from Dad and didn't realize it.
"Mom, Abby's checking our phones. I know you're upset, but I need
