Page 31 of Your Every Wish
“With a lot of money, which is something my half sister and I don’t have.” I sigh.
“You could always get investors.”
“You think?” I turn to him because that might be the answer to Kennedy’s problem. An influx of cash would not only help her situation, but we could start making the desperately needed fixes to the park. Realistically speaking, though, getting investors takes time and Kennedy doesn’t have it. “You know of anyone who would be interested?”
“Nah. But I’m sure there are people out there. With the right management this place could be profitable.”
Not according to Kennedy, who’s studied the books. Or perhaps that’s purely her desperation talking.
“It’s definitely something to think about,” I say, trying not to commit myself to anything one way or another. I would hate to give him, or anyone else, false hope. “Have you lived here a long time?”
“Two years in February.”
“It seems like kind of an unlikely spot for you, if you don’t mind me saying. Isn’t it a senior community?”
“Not by law,” he says sharply, almost as if I’m considering kicking him out.
“I didn’t mean it like that. I’m simply noting that a lot of retirees live here and . . . well, it might get a little lonely for a guy your age.” He can’t be older than forty.
“You’re living here. And last I looked, you didn’t have a pacemaker—or a walker.”
I laugh. “Touché. How is it that you found Cedar Pines Estates?”
“Ad in the paper. The trailer was for rent.”
“So you don’t own it?”
“Nope,” Liam says. “The owner lives in Idaho and eventually plans to retire here.”
“What’ll you do then?”
Liam shrugs. “Haven’t given it a lot of thought.”
Kennedy jogs up in the same exercise clothes she was wearing yesterday, sweaty. She leans against the stair railing, trying to catch her breath.
“You okay?” I ask.
“Not really. I don’t know why I keep doing this. It’s not like I ever run in Vegas.”
It’s metaphorical, she’s running from her problems, any advice columnist worth her salt can see that. But I don’t say it because Liam is here. As soon as he leaves, I’ll break the bad news to her about Dex.
I don’t have to wait long because Liam gets to his feet and thanks me for the coffee. He places his mug on the deck, next to the back door. But as he starts to cut across our yard, a sheriff’s car barrels into the driveway, lights flashing.
Kennedy’s eyes meet mine and her post-run flush drains to white.
Kennedy
Emma tells me to go inside the house but what’s the point? It’s not like I can barricade myself behind the kitchen table and the police will go away. It’s time to face the consequences of my mother’s actions. I just wish it didn’t have to be with half of Cedar Pines’s residents present.
For the second time in fewer than ten days, we’ve drawn a crowd. Apparently, police visits aren’t commonplace here.
Harry and Misty bump up our driveway in Harry’s golf cart. “What’s going on?” Harry says to me, then to the deputy who’s just gotten out of his car.
“Kennedy Jenkins?” He looks straight at me.
Emma steps in front of me. “How can we help you, Officer?”
“Are you the other owner?”
