Page 16 of Your Every Wish
Big mistake, but whatever.
“I’m glad you’re here.” Misty peers into the car, looking us both up and down. “It’s exactly what you need right now given the state of your lives. See you tonight.”
I wait until she walks away and say, “What was that about? Like, what the hell does she know about thestate of our lives? Is it me or was that weird?”
“A little bit, yeah. But I like her vibe. It’s different.”
Apparently, it doesn’t take much to please Emma, including the crappy trailer we’ll be living in until I can sell the place.
I back out of the driveway, exit Cedar Pines, and grab the two-lane highway to Ghost.
“Did you see that article in theNew York Timesyesterday about a Malibu trailer park where even a single-wide trailer can fetch up to seven figures?” Emma shifts in her seat.
“Nope, I don’t get theNew York Times. But this ain’t Malibu.”
“Maybe not but it could be. Not Malibu, of course. But a coveted place to live. We’re only an hour away from some of the best skiing in California, perhaps even the world. People come here from all over to go white-water rafting, panning for gold, mountain climbing, hiking, boating, you name it. I’ve done a lot of research, and did you know this is one of the top places in California where people own second homes? Shouldn’t we try to capitalize on that?”
“Absolutely. When we put it on the market, we’ll make sure to tout all that in the marketing materials.”
Emma lets out a huff. “At least consider what we could do with the place before you make up your mind about selling it. How do you know we won’t be leaving money on the table?”
“Because I’ve looked at the books. Is that where I turn for the grocery store?” I nudge my head at the highway sign.
“No, it’s another exit up the road. What books?”
“The ones that were included in our package from Mr. Townsend.”
“Oh. I haven’t had time to look at them yet.”
I slide her a sideways glance. “I suggest you do. It’s not pretty. Cedar Pines is a money pit. Our money pit now.”
“How can it be? As far as I can tell no one has spent a dime on the place in the last decade or two.”
“Here?” I ask as we approach the exit.
“Yeah. Then follow the signs to downtown.”
It really is a quaint little town if you’re into the whole country thing. The leaves on the trees have all turned color and everything looks so clean, like someone scrubbed the sidewalks with antiseptic wipes. Not a homeless person in sight.
“The shopping center on the right.” Emma points to a tiny strip mall with a supermarket, coffee shop, and hair salon. “There’s another grocery store up the road, but this one has better produce.” Emma has obviously scoped out the food situation here.
I’d rather just eat out. The trailer is so dodgy that the mere thought of eating there is enough to lose my appetite.
We get out of the car and cross halfway through the parking lot when I race back to retrieve my jacket off the back seat. Better get that window fixed soon.
Emma grabs a cart at the entrance and takes her sweet-ass time in the produce section. I navigate to the middle of the store only to return with an armful of items.
“Put them in here.” Emma taps the side of the cart, then eyes my box of Pop-Tarts and grimaces. “You should stick to the outer edges of the store.”
“Why?”
“Because that’s where the good-for-you food is.”
“You mean the stuff you have to cook. I’m not touching the stove in that kitchen.”
“It’s not that bad. It’s actually larger than the one in my former studio, which only had two burners. What, you have some fabulous kitchen where you live?”
“I wouldn’t call it fabulous. Just clean with appliances from the twenty-first century. Oh, and it doesn’t smell like ass.”
