Page 66 of Crazy in Love

“Green Valley Falls chili cook-off champion, ten years running,” Nick said.

On the way to the chili, they passed the table where Tess and her friends sat.

Nick limped more when he didn’t use the cane, but it was a trade he was willing to make. As they approached, he locked eyes with Faith, and an involuntary grin spread across his lips. She wore a short, black dress and pink cowboy boots. There was a lot of long, tan leg in between. She returned his smile, but he sensed a hint of melancholy. Was that her trying to hide their relationship? Or sadness he was leaving the next day?

He stared a second too long, and Tess swatted his arm. Everyone laughed, giving him the impression that he and Faith were failing at discretion. Max invited them to come for chili, but they’d already eaten.

After they scarfed down two bowls of chili each, Max ditched Nick to be with his family. The sun set, and the park lightscame on. The square dance competition was in full swing, and old folks were getting tipsy on hard cider. With no friends of his own, Nick went to find Tess. She sat with her gang at a bingo table, cards laid out in front of them.

“I thought you had to be over fifty to play this,” Nick teased.

“Laugh all you want. I’m gonna win the hundred bucks,” Alex said. “Just watch.”

“You win money?” Nick asked. “Why didn’t you lead with that? How can I play?”

“You don’t have time to buy cards,” Tess said. “Here, take one of mine.”

“Here’s one of mine too,” Juliet said.

Alex and Faith were peer-pressured into reluctantly passing him one of their cards too, giving them each four.

“B-six,” the announcer yelled.

“Oh, perfect timing,” Tess said.

He’d parked himself next to Faith, but the announcer called numbers so fast there wasn’t much time to talk. He settled for occasional arm bumps and innocent leg touches.

Alex won the first round. Edna from the diner took the second. And the third went to Rudy, the town’s only cab driver. The fourth game descended into chaos when Mrs. Baker accused Mrs. Shaw of cheating.

Nick jumped up and pulled Faith out of the way, narrowly dodging the giant floppy bosom of Mrs. Baker, who tried to vault the table in an effort to strangle Mrs. Shaw. Unable to bear the extra weight, the table came crashing down, and amid the shrieks, bingo cards and felt markers went flying.

“Well, that was fun,” Nick said, dusting off his hands.

“Let’s get out of here,” Tess suggested, and they walked away laughing.

“Damn it,” Alex said. “I was one away from getting bingo again. Curse you, Mrs. Baker.” She shook a fist at the sky.

“Of course you were,” Juliet said. “You always win at everything.”

“Hey, Faith, isn’t that your dad?” Nick asked.

Faith turned to where he pointed, and her jaw dropped. “Holy crap, he’s here. And without any prodding. Maybe there is light at the end of this tunnel.”

“Looks like he’s makin’ time with the widow Hickman,” Tess said under her breath.

“I think Irene’s been meddling,” Faith said. “Mrs. Hickman has come by the house with food a few times too.”

“You think Irene’s trying to set them up?” Juliet asked.

“It’s too soon for that,” Faith said. “Even so, I wouldn’t put it past her.”

“Mrs. H. does make a mean chocolate cake,” Alex said. “He could do worse.”

Faith looked away. “I’m just glad he has a friend.”

And Nick was just happy to see Faith smile. Since telling her he planned to go home soon, she’d started pulling away. Which he expected. It stung, but there wasn’t anything he could do about it. His life was in Boston. Spending time with Faith had been fun, but it was time to get back to work. Which also meant dealing with the Gary Jeffreys situation.

He’d found the man online but couldn’t nail down a physical address. He was counting on Faith to lure him out, but needed her to do it without knowing she was helping.

---