Page 4 of Holidate Fail
Heath gave them two thumbs up. “How about it? We a team?”
Kelly did a brief introduction for Lacole, then turned to her with the question.
“Two men to do all the hunting for us? Bringing home the spoils to the beautiful maidens?” Lacole gave Dahlia a chummy pat with her elbow. “Count us in!”
“I mean, we can do some hunting, too,” Dahlia protested. Kelly hid a grin as Heath looked at her with raised eyebrows. “But yeah, sounds fun.”
The announcer introduced herself as Brandi Clayton and gave a little history of the scavenger hunt. “Everyone thought my family were straight up law-abiding citizens. Beneath the gentile manners and southern charm, my great-great-aunt ran an illegal still during Prohibition. And it took a revenue man to show her the right path – which was the path to his heart.”
Kelly glanced over at Dahlia, who was looking a little nervous. She caught his eye and gave him a wobbly smile before being called to the table.
“Each year, Tri-Shine Stills and Dash follows the path a moonshiner took through three counties to evade the Bureau. And it’s up to you to figure out that path while collecting clues along the way. The winners get a weekend retreat to the Inn at Fountenoy Hall and two bottles of our exclusive brandy. Everyone ready?”
“Let’s go find us some bootleggers,” Kelly said.
Chapter 2
Dahlia wasn’t used to being the center of attention unless she was giving a research presentation at work or testifying as an expert witness. Still, the man at the registration table handed her the Tri-Shine packet, so she was the one holding the envelope.
She opened it and cleared her throat. “It’s a physical challenge.” Great. Starting off the hunt showcasing her lack of physical prowess, especially in front of Kelly.
Bold and brave, Dahlia. Bold and brave. Stop being the cautious mouse you’ve always been.
Oh. This wasn’t as bad as she feared. “Take a picture with a vendor.” Other foursomes were already scrambling to vendors that were set up to take pictures with fun backgrounds.
“I know just the place,” Kelly said. “I can get you all t-shirts, too.”
Ugh. She hated telling people her shirt size. And it was worse if they guessed.
Still, she was going to own it. She put her game face on and followed Kelly to the Georgia Adventures booth. The man at the display table must’ve been at least six foot four. The Georgia Adventures t-shirt stretched over a broad chest. He was holding his phone, but when he saw them approaching, he gave his virtual audience a quick wave and put it away.
“Everyone, this is my business partner, Vin,” Kelly said.
“Hey, everyone.” Vin smiled at the group, bringing a dimple out in his cheeks.
“Can we get some shirts?” Kelly asked him.
“Coming right up!” He handed them several more than needed. Dahlia sorted through the stack and found one that would fit.
Heath pulled off his old shirt, revealing a muscled chest for a moment before he donned his new shirt over his head. He grinned at Dahlia when he caught her staring.
“Like you didn’t do that on purpose.” She pulled her own shirt on over the purple tee.
“You’re not going to take off your old one, first?” Heath asked.
Dahlia stuck out her tongue.
“That works, too.”
Vin snapped a picture with Kelly’s phone, then handed it back to him with an envelope. “There were a bunch of people tuning in to the livestream. They’re excited about following along today.”
“Great,” Kelly said.
“And here’s your second clue.” Vin handed over the envelope.
Kelly studied it. “Can you give us any hints?”
“Only that vendors have different clues so not everyone is converging on each place en masse. So don’t follow anyone else.”
