Page 63 of Call it Reckless

“No,” I answered quickly. Too quickly. “I better get Lexi. Maybe I’ll take her out to dinner and see if I can get her to tell me what’s wrong.”

Thankfully, Em let the conversation drop, and minutes later, I left with Lex, a bag of fresh snickerdoodles, and a couple of chocolate bars to take home.

“What do you say we leave those in the truck and go do dinner?”

“Can we get pizza again?”

“Sure.” Anything to put the smile back on her face. “But let’s walk and talk.”

“Okay.” She slipped her hand into mine.

“Want to tell me what’s wrong? You know you can tell me anything.”

We walked a few more steps before she answered. “You remember how I told you I had that interview to do with Miss Bristol?”

“Yeah,” I said, dragging out the word. I had a feeling I wasn’t going to like where this was going.

“Well, last Friday, we emailed our people in class. Most of the other kids have heard back, but I haven’t.”

My blood began to boil. “I’m sure she’s been busy, honey. She’s been working hard to open her business. I’m sure she’ll get in touch soon.” Like tonight after I had a word with her, no matter where I had to track her down.

“I hope so. She seemed so nice. I really like her.”

“Don’t worry.” I needed to change the subject. “Hey, I got the paint for your room. I’ll start on it next weekend.”

Lexi had been begging for months to change her room, to make it look more “grown-up.” I was in denial that she no longer wanted the pretty, soft pink room that her mother and I had painted for her before she was born. Now, she claimed she was “too old for princesses.” She’d begged and begged for something different—light gray walls with a teal accent wall. I hated that I even knew what that meant, but I had to admit it was going to look good.

As I hoped, she brightened up. “Yay!”

I listened as she chatted about the plans she had for her room as we walked the next block. I only half-listened. I was glad she had cheered up, but my mind was thinking about what I wanted to say to Bristol. I almost stepped on Lexi’s foot when she suddenly stopped and half-turned to me, tugging on my arm.

“Look! There she is.”

“Who?” I said, scanning the sidewalk.

“Miss Allen. Maybe I can talk to her now. Come on, Dad.”

I spotted Bristol coming out of Things Remembered, the stationery and flower shop, carrying a large box.

“Miss Allen!” Lexi called and dashed forward before I could stop her. I reluctantly followed. This wasn’t how I planned to have my conversation.

Bristol looked around, confused, until Lexi reached her side. She broke into a smile as she greeted my daughter. It faded when she saw me approach.

“Deputy.” We were back to that. Her voice wasn’t quite cold, but it didn’t hold any of the warmth it had just days ago.

“Bristol.”

“Miss Allen, did you get my email? Can I ask you my questions now? Maybe you can eat with us. We’re going to have an early dinner here.”

Her eyes crinkled in confusion until they looked at the sign for the pizza parlor beside us. Then they grew cold. “Um, I don’t think—”

“Lex, give us a minute, would you? You can sit on that bench there and play that game you like on your phone. I have a few questions to ask Miss Allen myself.”

Before she could protest, I gripped Bristol’s elbow and pulled her several yards away, where I could still see Lexi, but hopefully, she wouldn’t overhear.

Bristol jerked her arm away. “Reid, what’s the meaning of this? I’ve got things to do, and this box isn’t light.”

I grabbed the box and put it at my feet. “Funny meeting you here. I figured you might be somewhere there wasn’t any cell service.”

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