Page 97 of Secrets in the Deep

Then he remembered.

Shit.

She tilted her head. “What’s wrong?”

“There’s a town meeting. I told Nora I’d take her. I’ll cancel.”

“No.” She shook her head.

“Emi—”

“Tomorrow night.” She offered a small smile as Preston and Faye passed them to climb into the Cadillac. “Good luck at the meeting.”

He gave a small nod, hating that he’d have to wait an entire day before he saw her again.

But theywouldhave dinner. Hewouldmake things right.

22

Emily stepped into the large community center. It was packed. Hell, there was barely a spare seat in sight. Did the entire town come to these meetings?

Polly took her hand. “Come on. Maggie and Raven saved us seats.”

Locals buzzed around her. Some were laughing. Some talked loudly, trying to be heard over the crowd. It was nice. It kind of reminded her of one of those cozy Hallmark movies where everyone knew everyone.

Before they reached their friends, a woman with big silver curls and hoops in her ears stopped in front of them.

“Polly. Hi. I just wanted to tell you that I was wrong last week.”

Polly frowned. “Wrong?”

“About the bad energy. I was feeding off someone else and mistook it for you.” The woman shifted her attention to Emily. “Hi. I’m Maureen.”

Polly looked at Emily. “Maureen is our town psychic.”

“Oh! Hi. I’ve heard so much about you.” She’d never met a psychic before, but this lady with her pale blue bohemian dress and big curls fit the picture in her head.

“Good things, I hope.” Maureen smiled. “Enjoying Deep River?”

“I am. It kind of feels like home even though I’ve hardly been here.”

“It suits you. Small-town living.”

“It does?” Emily secretly agreed, but this woman didn’t know her.

“Oh yeah. You know it’s not an accident you’re here, right?”

“I actually wasn’t even meant to play this role.”

“I know. Terrible incident for the other young actress. I hope they find the person responsible.”

“It was a car crash. Her brakes failed.”

Maureen’s smile faltered, and she gave Emily an odd look. “Well…I should find a seat before they’re all out. You have a good evening, ladies.”

Polly shook her head. “Don’t listen to her. There’s a reason we put ‘self-proclaimed’ at the front of her psychic title. Come on.”

As they walked, Polly tilted her head toward a couple near the back. “That’s Anika and Mark, the couple you root for some days and wish lived in separate towns other days.”