Page 70 of Pick Your Spot

As they walked the short distance to the diner, Knox swung her hand. “This town is something else.”

She laughed. “It is. Overwhelming in a good way.”

In the diner, Ginny Phail greeted them like old friends. It wasn’t long before they shared a taco platter filled with deliciousness.

When Troy joined them, he waved his cousin over to join them. “Hey, Ginny. These two want to know about their neighbors. I figured you’d know as much as me. Plus, they’ve got an asshole harassing Thea, and we’d like you to keep an eye out.”

Definitely overwhelming.

Ginny hadn’t seen Andy either but she also pulled up his picture on her phone. “Got him. I’m not sure Manuel knows how to screw up when cooking, but I can add salt to his coffee for starters.”

A laugh burst out of Thea. Ginny grinned with a shrug. “No one bothers one of us without repercussions.”

One of us.

Another reminder to Thea that she wasn’t alone. Not anymore.

Ginny grabbed a notebook and pen. “Let’s draw a map. I haven’t been out that way in a while, but between the two of us, I’m sure we know most people.”

It wasn’t long before they had a simple map complete with names.

Greg and Sally Kelly lived to the south. A friendly couple who lived off the grid and grew most of their own food.

Lorraine Apostle was their direct neighbor to the north. She’d once raised and shown Boxers and Bernese Mountain dogs.

Around the corner from Lorraine lived Dani Richards, a beekeeper, and further north lived Mort and Callum Welch, who grew vegetables and sold them on the roadside and in Fiona’s store.

Across the road, Sylvia Newberry ran a Christmas tree farm beside Bob Sweeney, who wanted to be left alone and hated visitors.

Ginny tapped his name on the map. “His wife died about ten years ago, and he’s become even crankier. He’s probably lonely, but he’s prickly, and isn’t afraid of aiming a round of buckshot when he wants people to leave.”

Thea shook her head. “Poor guy. We’ll make an effort another day but I don’t think asking him to look out for Triple-A is the best way to meet him.”

Troy nodded. “Agreed. The rest are friendly and will be willing to help. That list should get you started.”

Thea smiled. “Thanks so much. Now, how many cinnamon buns do you have for us to use as bribes?”

Ginny laughed. “Not many left this time of day, but I’ll bet Fiona has enough of her baking to round things out.”

Thea hoped it would be enough. She didn’t think Andy would hurt anyone else, but she wasn’t willing to take a chance.

Chapter21

Can't Pick Your Neighbors

As they approached the first of their neighbors, Knox sensed Thea tensing beside him. “Nervous?”

“A little bit. I’m still a little on edge after Andy’s arrival this morning. I hope he doesn’t bother anyone.”

He nodded. “I get that but no one is boing to blame you for his actions.” He reached across the console and squeezed her hand for a moment. While the farm was in a valley, Vermont was filled with mountains and curving roads. It made for a beautiful ride into Phail, and he couldn’t wait to see it in the autumn. Boston had its share of gorgeous autumn leaves, but he suspected Vermont would be even better.

On their left, the landscape changed. The evergreens grew in orderly lines. “How did I not notice that this was a Christmas tree farm? I’ve driven this road several times now, and the orderly rows didn’t register.”

Thea laughed. “I’ve been here for a year, and I had no idea.”

It made Knox think again how lonely her life had been. How secluded she and Jay had been on the farm without a lot of outside contact. “I’m betting anyone who owns a Christmas tree farm has to be friendly. Why don’t we make that our first stop?”

Thea nodded and looked at the map Ginny had drawn for them. “Sylvia Newberry.”

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