Page 51 of Love Fast

“You went to high school with him?” I ask Beth.

“A thousand years ago,” she says on a smile. “He had a rough time of it by all accounts, but you’d never know it. Nothing ever seemed to ruffle his feathers. He was always the sweetest.”

“Well, he’s saved us a few days’ work here,” Mike says. “And a bunch of money.”

“Which means that we can focus on our house,” Beth continues. “You should run a pie up to him later.” She turns to me. “Mike makes the best apple pie.”

“Don’t tell Nancy,” Mike says with a wink. “She’s the town cook. No one dares compete.”

I laugh. I’m going to have to get someone to point out Nancy to me.

“Did your home get badly damaged?” I ask.

“The roof leaks every time it rains,” Beth says. “We need to replace it. The tiles lift in the slightest breeze. It’s crazy.”

“We’ll see about it this year,” Mike says.

“You said that last year,” Beth says.

“Can I get you a coffee?” I ask. “You’re welcome to stay.”

“Thank you so much,” Beth says. “But we’d better get going. Will we see you at Grizzly’s tonight?”

I look at her blankly.

“Everyone goes to Grizzly’s after a storm,” Beth says.

“Why is that?” Mike asks. “I know we do it, but I’ve never thought about why. To celebrate not dying?”

Beth laughs. “I guess. It’s a way for the town to come together. Or something. And I want to hear the latest thing about those two government RVs in Valley Park. Donna and Marge said they were going over there to check them out. I want to know what they found.”

“There are three of them now,” Mike says.

“Three?” Beth asks.

“Apparently. That’s what Jim told me.”

“Someone’s screwing with us,” Beth says. “It’s either the government, or someone wants us tothinkit’s the government.”

“I think our government has enough to do without parking RVs in Star Falls,” Mike says.

“You know that. I know that. But Marge certainly doesn’t. She won’t rest until she knows who the hell’s in there.”

“I think Donna has it covered,” I interrupt. “I saw her in town earlier. She said she was going to knock on the door. But maybe she’ll have second thoughts, now that there are three of them.” I stop when I realize I’m getting sucked into this RV drama, when what I really need to do is sort my laundry.

“Let’s go,” Beth says. “What if something happens to Donna?”

Mike turns to me. “Wanna come?”

The warm feeling from earlier returns. It’s so nice to be asked. “Maybe later. I have a few chores to do. I can’t wait to see what these RVs are all about.”

“See you at Grizzly’s later!” Beth calls as she heads back to their truck.

The RVsarea bit odd. I add it to my mental list of things to ask Byron about. Maybe he’s organized them to be in town to house more construction workers?

I shake off the thought. I probably won’t see him tonight. He’s going to be busy. And am I really going to head to Grizzly’s on my own? Last time I was there, I was wearing a dirty wedding dress. I’m not sure I’m ready to show my face there again so soon—or ever.

TWENTY

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