Page 5 of Home Town

Quinn had been getting these kinds of calls for almost fifteen years. Ever since he up and left New York to move to Coronado to be a SEAL. She supposed it was her turn now that she’d moved to California too.

She drew in a breath, ready for a confrontation. “Mom, we were just home for Christmas and we already have plans to visit for your birthday?—”

“I know, but this is an emergency.”

Josie let out the breath she’d been holding. “What kind of emergency?”

“Where do I begin? Your father accepted a job.”

“What kind of job?”

“We’re getting five thousand dollars if we go on a road trip with Rusty and take pictures of your father grilling on this fancy new barbecue the company sent us.”

“Wait. Are you saying Dad is an influencer now?” And getting five grand just to drive his prized RV and do some grilling—all of which he’d do anyway?

What the hell?

That was her first thought, followed closely by her second. Was this some sort of scam?

Take advantage of an old guy. Promise him thousands of dollars if he’d just hand over his social security number or something.

“Mom, are you sure this is real?”

“Oh, yes. One of Dad’s friends in the RV club did it a few months ago.”

“And you have this grill already?”

“Yes. Your father’s been practicing on it.”

“And how much did it cost you?” She could picture it now. Just send us five hundred dollars for shipping and taxes and this ninety-nine-dollar grill is all yours!

“Nothing, silly. It was free,” her mother corrected.

“Really free? No shipping cost? No tax? Nothing?”

“Nothing. And we already have the money they paid us in our bank account.”

Ah, ha! That was where the scam came in. “Did they ask for all your account information? Pin number? Social security number?”

“No. They sent a check.”

A frown firmly on her brow, Josie let out a confused hmm.

“That’s the problem. We’ve already accepted the payment, and in exchange we have to post the pictures this month. But I’d already committed to take in these foster kittens. I can’t bring the kittens with us. Your dad’s not really a fan of cats, you know. And they’re so full of energy, it would be cruel to keep them caged in the RV. And I can’t imagine it would be safe or convenient to let them run around in there loose while we’re on the road for almost a month.”

As amusing as that scenario was—a bunch of tiny terrors ripping through her father’s pride and joy as Rusty traveled America’s scenic highways—Josie had to agree.

“Yeah, I see your problem.”

“Josie, you’re my only hope…short of Photoshopping Niagara Falls into the background of pictures of your father in the backyard. I know I’ve gotten quite good at touching up pictures for the annual Christmas letter but I’m not that good. We’d no doubt get caught and have to give the money back. If they didn’t sue us for breach of contract. We really do have to go and we can’t return the cats. The shelter is overflowing as it is. It’s kitten season?—”

“All right. I’ll come home. I’ll take care of the kittens. You and Dad are free to go.”

“Oh, thank you, sweetie. I knew I could count on you.”

Count on her? The laze-about who stayed up all night and slept all day? Oh, how the tone had changed now they needed her help.

“It’s perfect timing too,” her mother continued. “We’re planning the town’s anniversary celebration. I know the event committee the Historical Society put together would love your help with the online publicity.”

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