Page 25 of The Best Kind of Bad

“There it is.”

He laughs. “I’m just stating what I heard.”

“You’re snooping. What would Andy say?”

A dimple appears in his cheek. “Who do you think sent me over here?”

“How does Andy know about this, anyway?”

“Tia told her.”

My cheeks color. “What else did Tia say?”

Bo comes closer, his head cocked to the side. “Dusty Larson. Is that a blush I detect on those rosy cheeks of yours?”

“Sunburn.”

“Bullshit.”

I shake my head, retreating farther into the shade. The day is already heating up. “If you’re so curious, she’s just over there in Gus’s place. Go knock on the door.”

He tips his head. “Trouble in paradise?”

“Trouble in…” I shake my head. “I don’t know what fairytale you’ve got running through that head of yours, but this is my livelihood we’re talking about, man. Not some amusing bit of gossip. Gus’s niece is planning to sell everything off. Which means I’ll be looking for a new job before the month’s out.”

I didn’t intend to unload on him, but I’m not sorry I did. Usually, I have plenty of energy to play the clown, but this is one issue that’s too serious to make a joke out of.

“Shit, man. I didn’t know.” He hesitates, looking back at the house. His voice lowers. “She’s really thinking about selling?”

I nod, feeling all my worries lurch to life around my feet.

“Why in the hell would she do a thing like that?”

Of course, Bo wouldn’t understand. The Thomas family’s farm dwarfs Gus’s, five to one. He doesn’t know the meaning of the word budget. He’s never had holes in his shoes. Cereal for supper because his parents can’t afford groceries.

“She needs the cash.”

“Well, it’d be damn stupid of her to sell. Did you explain to her that renting that ground is worth a hell of a lot more to her than selling? She’d have income for life.”

“I’m getting around to it.”

Bo nods, like it’s settled. “You’ll figure it out, bud. You always do.”

“Not sure I’m going to, this time.”

Bo shakes his head, grinning. “The Dusty I know always lands on his feet. You just need to convince her to stay.”

He’s got a suggestive glint in his eye that makes me wonder if Tia’s been sharing more than she ought to. This town is far too fond of gossip. Can’t go two hours without hearing the latest juicy rumor.

But then I’m thinking about Edna Korra and her drummer. And that sparks the ember of a plan.

Maybe, just maybe, I can scheme my way out of this one.

17.

Marnie

I lean against the doorpost to my old room, a spectator at a museum. Even though I only visited once a summer, Gus dedicated this bedroom in the basement to me. I decorated it. Had my own bedding. Books and stuffies. I made it my own.

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