Page 16 of Rumors in Bayberry
He gave it a little thought.That wasn’t exactly a big help, seeing as there were a lot of dead ends within the maze.He looked at her.“Any other helpful hints?”
“The right-hand rule.”
“What’s that?”
“Place your hand on the wall of the maze and never lose contact with the wall.It will help you reach the exit.”
“I like that tip.I’ll remember that one.”
“Okay.I have to get to work.In five minutes, the maze is about to open to the public.”
“And what do you want me to do?”
She arched a brow.“You don’t have to do anything.”
“Yes.I do.I lost the bet.”
She shrugged.“I know, but I’m not going to hold you to it.I’m sure you have other things you’d rather be doing.”
“I’m a man of my word.Now, what do you want me to do?”
“If you could be the attendant and take their money, I can help the people that get lost in the maze.Would that work for you?”When he nodded, she said, “The important part is that you have to time their entrance into the maze.I usually do a minute apart but if things get busy, and they do get busy, I cut that down to thirty seconds.”
Sounded simple enough to him.“And that’s all you need me to do?”
She sent him a knowing smile.“Trust me.That will be enough.At the end of our shift, you might regret volunteering.”
“I doubt it.I’ve got this.”
She made it sound like it was going to be a big deal.As he glanced around, he didn’t see that many people.It didn’t seem like it was going to be that busy.
“And how long do we do this?”
“We have the one to five shift.”
He was liking this all the more.Four hours didn’t sound so bad.“What happens at five?”
“The next shift takes over, and we get to go rest.”
He didn’t think he would need to rest.He had work waiting for him back at the B&B.There was always work for him.When he came up with the idea forRumor Quill, he never thought it would take over his life.He thought of the old saying about all work and no play.He had definitely become dull.
Did he feel guilty about taking a Saturday afternoon off to have some fun with a beautiful woman?No.Not in the least.
She couldn’t believe he’d taken her up on the bet.
Now she had help for the afternoon.
Sadie stood in her perch above the maze.There was a small balcony on the second floor of Bayberry Savings & Loan, where she’d been helping people make it through the maze.
At the beginning of the maze, flags with numbers on them were handed out to anyone who wanted one.The kids were the ones that were most likely to use their flag.Although, there were some adults who waved their flags too.
For the people without flags that needed help, she used her walkie-talkie to reach one of the teenagers who were in the maze.The teenagers would lead them to the exit.
It was disappointing that she couldn’t see Reed from where she was stationed.She told herself he’d be fine.If there was a problem, she’d given him her phone number.She’d made sure to stress that no question was dumb.
He’d assured her he would be fine.But she’d made him promise he would call if he was unsure of anything.She’d also asked Kate and Abby to periodically stop by and check in on him.They were also working at the festival, so it wouldn’t be hard for them to look out for Reed.
She didn’t have time to worry about him for long because once the maze was opened, it filled up quickly.It always seemed that there was someone who needed her assistance.
