Free Be Here Now: A Cedar Creek Novel by Julia Goda

go,” he said as he kissed my forehead and let me go. I went around the back of the car and got in on the passenger’s side, buckled up, and leaned back against the seat, resting my head against the headrest, so I could look up into the sky.
    I was so absorbed in that—and I guess Chris was so busy worrying about me—that neither of us saw the Challenger parked down the street from the cemetery parking lot, nor did we see it as it pulled out and followed us back into town at a safe distance.
    “Hi, baby!” I cooed at the dog attacking me as soon as I walked into Cal and Ivey’s house.
    Cal had bought Stella for Ivey when they had started dating, before they started dating actually. Before Cal had made her his, Ivey had lived in the house they were living in now all by herself. The house wasn’t in town. It was up the mountain, about a ten-minute drive from the town centre. Cal had convinced Ivey that she needed a dog to watch over her, which Ivey had denied, but he had bought her one anyway. By the time Cal had gotten Stella from the breeder two weeks later, they had been a couple. Yeah, Cal worked fast when he knew what he wanted. So, technically, she didn’t need a dog anymore, because she had Cal to watch over her. But getting her one had been a smart move on Cal’s side. Because, what woman didn’t fall in love with a man that bought her a cute little puppy to cuddle and love and to protect her?
    Stella was now almost a year old and the most beautiful dog I had ever seen. Purebred chocolate lab with beautiful green eyes, big floppy ears, slender and fit built. She was gorgeous. And she knew it.
    “Down, Stella,” I heard Cal grumble as he closed the front door behind Chris and I.
    Staying bent over, I only turned my head to look at Cal. “It’s okay, Cal. She’s just happy to see me.”
    “She can be happy to see you with all four paws on the floor, or better yet, sitting down.”
    I glared at him. “She’s only a puppy!”
    “Yeah, she’s only a puppy. Her jumping you won’t be so much fun when she’s all grown up, which means she needs to be trained now. And the only reason you’re giving me that look you’re giving me right now is because you know I’m right.”
    I knew that of course, but I wasn’t going to tell him. Instead, I turned my attention back to Stella, who was now sitting patiently waiting beside me, and scratched her behind her ears.
    “Come on, sweet girl. We’ll find a ball and play some fetch in the backyard. Far away from your mean grouchy daddy.” Stella was only too happy to agree with me and followed me towards the back of the house.
    Before I reached the kitchen, I heard Cal ask Chris quietly, “How is she doing?”
    “She’s doing good, Cal,” Chris answered him just as quietly.
    “Good. Thanks, man.”
    “No need. She’s my best friend. I love her.”
    My heart melted at the seriousness and love in his voice. God, I loved that man. Too bad it hadn’t worked out between us. It would have saved both of us a lot of pain and confusion. But then again, I wouldn’t have had Jesse. And that wasn’t worth thinking about.
    I entered the kitchen and immediately felt at home. I loved their old little farmhouse—well, not so little anymore since Cal put an addition onto the house. My favourite place was the kitchen. I loved to cook, and Ivey’s kitchen was not only any cook’s dream, it screamed warmth and family with its light colored cabinets, big windows and huge farmhouse table in the middle of it. It really was the heart of this home.
    Both Ivey and Betty were bustling about, chopping lettuce and potatoes and turning the meat in the marinade.
    “Hey, guys,” I greeted as I entered, moving in close to each of them for a hug.
    “Hey, Loreley,” Ivey said, grinning.
    “Lola Girl,” Betty whispered in my ear when I moved in for a hug, then she put her hand to my cheek and looked deep into my eyes. Satisfied with what she saw, she gave me a proud grin and a