The Backup Plan by Sherryl Woods

remember,” Maggie said. “Isn’t it time you started to look for a place of your own, if you’re going to stick around? Just think how beautifully you’ll be able to furnish it with all those antiques your folks have hidden away in the attic. I could help you sort through them.” Her expression brightened. “And I know the perfect place for you. There’s a wonderful carriage house on the market just a few blocks from here. The owner’s anxious to sell because she’s relocating to California, so I imagine you can get a good deal if you act quickly.”
    Dinah automatically shook her head. “No, thanks. I’m not ready for that.”
    â€œBut you just said…” Maggie regarded her with confusion. “Surely you don’t want to go on living at home.”
    â€œIt’s not forever,” Dinah said. “Just till I get my bearings.”
    â€œGet your bearings? Are you sure you’re not afraid that you’ll change your mind about staying?”
    â€œThat’s one reason,” Dinah admitted. Not even to herself had she contemplated what she would do if Bobby didn’t fall right in with her plans for the two of them.
    â€œAnd the other? I hope you’re not counting on moving into someplace with Bobby,” Maggie said, frowning.
    â€œYou say that as if it’s a totally ridiculous notion,” Dinah said, grateful that her friend had given her the perfect opening for her interrogation. She used her very real annoyance to lay out the questions she wanted answered. “Why is that, Maggie? What do you know about Bobby that you’re not telling me?”
    Maggie didn’t look the slightest bit intimidated by her accusatory tone. She held up her hands. “Not my place to say another word.”
    â€œYou and Cord,” Dinah muttered in disgust. “You’re both tossing out all these maddening hints and innuendoes, but neither one of you has the guts to just say what’s on your mind. I never thought I’d live to see the day when I’d be lumping you in with Cordell Beaufort. You’re supposed to be my friend.”
    â€œI am your friend, which is why I have no intention of getting caught in the middle of this. I’ve already told you my opinion and you’ve rejected it, so I’m staying out of it from now on,” Maggie replied. “And when did you see Cord again, by the way?”
    â€œWhat makes you think I’ve seen him again?”
    â€œBecause it’s obvious you’re still exasperated. Since you rarely hold a grudge for long, I figure he must have done something recent to get you all stirred up again. Am I right? Have you seen him?”
    Dinah saw no real point in hiding it beyond depriving Maggie of a chance to gloat. “Last night, if you must know.”
    Maggie’s eyes brightened. “Oh, really? How utterly fascinating.”
    â€œIt wasn’t fascinating. It was exasperating.” And maybe just a little surprising, when she thought about how gently he’d held her when she’d suffered another one of those disconcerting panic attacks. “Stop trying to make something out of me running into Cordell.”
    If anything, Maggie only looked more amused. “Where did the two of you cross paths? The grocery store, perhaps? On the street?”
    â€œBack out at his place,” Dinah admitted defensively. “And don’t even go there. I can see that you want to make something out of that, but I went back to look for Bobby. Period.”
    â€œI was merely going to comment that you seem to be making yourself at home out there,” Maggie teased.
    â€œI’ve been there twice,” Dinah replied impatiently. Then, since Maggie didn’t seem to be buying it, she added emphatically, “Both times looking for Bobby.”
    â€œHas it occurred to you yet that you’re looking for him in the wrong place?”
    Dinah stared at