Page 130 of Last Call

“This is Owen,” Riley explained. She took the first deep breath she had taken since leaving the car on the side of the road. “My car,” she began again. “I don’t know what happened. It started shaking. I pulled over, and it just…”

“Died?” Fallon guessed

Riley nodded. “I didn’t have any cell service.”

“So, you thought you’d walk until you found some.”

Riley nodded again.

“Mm. That can be tricky out here sometimes,” Fallon said. She studied Riley thoughtfully for a minute. “How about a cup of coffee to warm up?”

“I’m sorry. Do you have a phone I could use? I can have someone tow the car.”

“You’re not going to get anybody out here now,” Fallon said. “Not for a few hours. By then, the snow will be coming down at full speed. Cream or sugar?”

“Both.”

Fallon handed Riley a mug of coffee. “Any idea where the car is?” Fallon asked.

“I’d just passed a sign for Whiskey Springs.”

“That’s a good mile down the road. You were walking for a while. Where are you heading?”

Riley sipped her coffee tentatively as Owen fidgeted on her lap. “Home.”Whatever that means.

Fallon was curious. “Where’s home?”

“It’s supposed to be at 22 River Drive in Whiskey Springs.”

“The Main’s place?”

Riley nodded. “You know it?”

“I ought to. I spent plenty of time there when I was a kid.”

Riley shook her head. “I don’t understand.”

“My mother and Sylvia Main are friends.”

“Sylvia is my husband’s grandmother. Well, she was—He’s no longer…”

Fallon nodded. “I heard. I’m sorry.”

“You heard?”

“Small town,” Fallon said. “My mother mentioned someone was taking over the place.” Owen chose that moment to protest his mother’s grasp. Fallon managed to catch him before he hit the floor. “Easy there, buddy.”

Riley set down her mug and took custody of her son again. “I know you’re tired,” she cooed to him. “Hang in there for a few minutes.” She kissed his head.

“Look,” Fallon began cautiously. “What kind of car do you have?”

Riley’s confusion was evident.

“I can probably tow it with my truck. If I don’t get a move on, it’s likely to get plowed in when they start clearing the roads.”

“Shit,” Riley muttered.

Fallon grinned.

---