Page 4 of The Summer I Stayed
Mav gives a gentle bark and lifts his paw for her to shake. Maggie glances at me and chuckles before grabbing his paw and shaking it. “You’re such a good boy, Maverick. Aren’t you?”
And there he goes…making friends with everyone per usual. I watch as Maggie coos over him. Maverick’s tail wags in delight, his tongue hanging out as he nuzzles his head further into her hand. Traitor.
Chapter Three
Maggie
Alison’s ringtone, a cheerful sound just like her, fills the small room that will be my home for the next few weeks. After the raccoon fiasco, I went back to Driftwood Diner for a replacement meal and called the Lakeside Haven Inn to reserve a room.
To my surprise, they had one. With summer here, I figured they’d be booked out, especially with all of the activities they offer here. They have water activities, farmers market every weekend, and an array of food options that would make any foodie’s stomach growl. Plus, the Summer Festival is an attraction that everyone anticipates every year.
I hit the green button, and Alison’s face pops up on my screen. While she has a lot of my features, she vastly reminds me of her father.
“Hey, sweetie,” I answer, sinking into the bed. “A little early to be checking in on me, isn’t it?” I tease her, glancingat the clock. It’s barely been twelve hours since I left the house.
“What? I can’t check on my own mother?” she replies playfully. “How’s day one going?”
“Oh great,” I say casually. “I had a run-in with some of the locals.”
“Locals?” she asks curiously. “Like who? Did you see Gemma?”
“Not Gemma, no. But raccoons, yes.”
“A raccoon?” She lets out a confused laugh.
“Raccoons,” I emphasize the “s.” “A mom and her babies are living in the kitchen…of the lake house.”
Alison bursts into laughter, the sound filling the entire room. “You’re kidding, right?”
“I wish,” I respond, running my hands through my hair. “I walked into the house and set my takeout on the coffee table. I’ve never been inside, so I took a look around, and when I came back, there she was. The mom had my food container open and was eating my fries.”
“What did you do?”
“Grabbed the closest thing to me to shoo it out of the house.” I continue to tell her the full story, leaving nothing out because Alison is a detail kind of girl. Everything up until me sitting here on the bed, finally enjoying my Porch Swing Panini and fresh fries.
“And this Jake guy just happened to be there?”
“According to Gemma, he’s the town handyman. He was coming by to check on the house after the storm.”
“Oh, Mom,” Alison sighs dramatically. “You’ve been in Blue Alder Cove for less than a day, and you’re already having an adventure!”
I’m surprised she didn’t ask any further questions about Jake. Alison has made it known that she’s okay with me dating again. It was a bit of a shock to me when she first made comments about it.
“How about you, honey? How’s the packing going?”
“Ugh, packing is the worst,” she groans. “I mean, who knew I had so much stuff?”
“I did,” I reply dryly. “I’m the one who’s been tripping over it for the last eighteen years.”
She gives me a fake gasp of offense.
“Packing is good for you,” I insist, ignoring her theatrics. “It’s a chance to declutter and prioritize.”
She sighs. “I suppose you’re right. Decluttering could be…therapeutic?”
“Exactly!” I say cheerfully. “Plus, it’ll make moving into your dorm easier.”
“But what if I need something and I don’t have it?” Her voice echoes the sentiments of every “overpacker” into existence.
