Page 33 of Tangled Up In You

Putting her emotions about intruding on Phoebe's personal space aside, she made up the bed with clean sheets and a blanket. Then she stuffed Phoebe's comforter and throw pillows into a large garbage bag and put it into the back of the closet. She moved into the bathroom next, clearing out several drawers with a ruthless energy. She couldn't stop at every item and think about Phoebe's favorite lipstick or her perfume, or she'd never get through it. What was used or empty, she tossed away. Items that could be donated she put into a separate bag.

Phoebe would want her things to be recycled, to be used by those who needed them, and she wanted to honor that. Once she had made some space, she unpacked some of her things, feeling better to have accomplished that much.

After a quick lunch, she went downstairs, feeling nervous as she checked the front and back doors. Everything was still securely locked, and the board over the window was still in place. She blew out a breath and debated where to start. The boxes in the front room called to her. They had recently been sent to Phoebe and were the most likely place to find something of real value.

As she moved through the back room, her gaze caught on a bag on the table in the area where Drew had been cleaning the day before. Chelsea's name and phone number were written across the front of it. She looked inside the bag and found a blend of tea, a couple of herbal tinctures, a lotion, and a book. She smiled to herself. The book of poetry was one of Phoebe's favorites.

Pulling the book out of the bag, she opened the cover. There was an inscription on the first page.

Dearest Chelsea,

I always feel peaceful when I read these beautiful verses. There are some who say that morning sickness comes from mothers and babies seeking to find harmony together. You'll probably laugh and think I'm a crazy old fool, and you might not be wrong. But take this book and enjoy it.

With much love, Phoebe

Smiling to herself, Molly pulled her phone out of her pocket and called Chelsea. "It's Molly. I found the package that Phoebe put together for you."

"That's wonderful," Chelsea said with excitement. "Can I come and get it later?"

"Anytime. I'll be here all day. Just text me if I don't answer the door. I'm keeping things locked until it's time to reopen."

"It will probably be in an hour or so. I'm helping Lizzie with some event planning for next weekend's Harvest Festival."

"Chloe mentioned something about that last night."

"If you'd like to volunteer, no one would say no."

"I'm not sure. I have my hands full with the store, but maybe I could do something. I used to love the Harvest Festival. Chloe said it has changed a bit."

"Well, I wouldn't know how it has changed from when you were here, but it is a very fun weekend event. We can talk about it when I come by."

"See you soon." She slipped the phone back in her pocket and set the bag down. She'd leave it right where it was so she didn't lose it before Chelsea arrived. Then she headed into the front room and opened a box from Caroline.

It was filled with more books. Apparently, Caroline and Phoebe had both been big readers. But after pulling out a couple of books on holistic healing, she found a large photo album. She took it out and set it on top of the counter.

The cover was blank, but on the first page was a bright pink scrawl with the words:This Was Us.

Intrigued, she turned the page and looked at a black-and-white photo of two little girls with ice cream smeared across their faces. They were probably six or seven at the time of the photo.

The next few pages held similar photos. Phoebe and Caroline had clearly spent a lot of time together. As she made her way through the album, the girls slowly aged, with big life events noted: first day of high school, homecoming dance, and then a photo of Caroline and Phoebe standing by a car with a trunk filled with suitcases. Very few of the photos had been captioned, but this one said: The Last Day.

That must have been when Caroline went to Hollywood.

Caroline had a pensive expression on her face.Was it fear of the unknown or sadness at leaving her friend and her home?

Molly contemplated that question. Then her phone buzzed. She took it out, her heart jumping at the sight of Adam's name and number.

His text was simple but stirred her blood once more.I'm out front. Can you let me in?

Walking quickly to the door, she opened it. He hobbled inside, using only one crutch with his walking boot.

"I didn't hear you knock," she said.

"I didn't want to scare you in case you were up on a ladder."

His small smile sent a rush of warmth through her. Adam didn't smile a lot, but when he did, the heat ironically made her shiver.

"No ladders today. Not yet anyway."

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