Page 6 of Rumors in Bayberry
He certainly wasn’t much for giving out information.She wondered what that was all about.Before she could figure out her next question, her phone rang.
She pulled it from her purse and saw it was one of her friends Abby Clark.Sadie was about to excuse herself before walking a few steps away, but she realized she didn’t owe him an explanation.They weren’t friends or even acquaintances.They were just two strangers standing in the same line.
With the phone pressed to her ear, she took a few steps away.“Hey, Abby, what’s up?”
“You know how we were going to have the hayride for the Pumpkin Festival?”After Sadie acknowledged her, Abby said, “Well, Rose’s mother fell and is in the hospital.They are headed out of town and won’t be back for the festival.”
“That’s not good.”
Sadie was on the Pumpkin Festival committee this year.It wasn’t her idea.When her mother found out they were shorthanded, she’d volunteered Sadie.Her mother thought it would be good for Sadie to be more involved with the town if she was going to report on the happenings around town.Sadie knew she could have said no, but she hadn’t.
“I know.”Abby sighed.“People are going to be so disappointed.It’s one of the most popular attractions at the festival.What are we going to do?”
“Does anyone else in town have a wagon?”
“I don’t know.”
“I know.If we can borrow Rose’s wagon, we can find someone else to drive it.”
“I like the way you think.And I have someone in mind.Let me make some calls.”
“Foods up!”Juan slid two plates across the small counter in the window of the food truck.
“Let me know if you need me to do anything.”After Sadie slipped her phone back into her purse, she moved to the truck just in time to bump elbows with Mr.Tall, Dark, and Mysterious.
She glanced at her plate and was surprised to find half of a bean burger on her plate.When she glanced over at Mr.TDM’s plate, she found the other half of her burger.Interesting.In addition, they each had three bean street tacos.Her stomach rumbled its approval.
She glanced up at Juan.“How much do I owe you?”When Juan named a price, Sadie glanced at the menu.“But that’s the price for street tacos.What about the burger?”
Juan grinned at her.“It’s on the house for the entertainment.”
After she paid, she moved to the nearby picnic table and sat down.It was a warm evening, probably one of the last few before old man winter huffed and puffed.
“Mind if I sit down?”
She glanced up to find Mr.TDM standing there with his plate and drink in hand.Her first thought was to turn him down, but that wasn’t the Bayberry way.This town was known to be warm and welcoming.Who was she to tarnish the town’s stellar reputation?
She set aside her half of the burger and gestured to the rest of the table.“Help yourself.”
Instead of him sitting at the other end of the table, he chose to sit across the table from her.She hadn’t been expecting that.At first, he didn’t say anything.He picked up his half of the burger and took a bite.She did the same.All the while, she was very aware of his presence.In fact, when she finished the sandwich, she realized she hadn’t even noticed tasting it.
“Are you from Bayberry?”he asked.
She choked on her sip of cola.It went down the wrong way.She patted her chest as she struggled not to continue to cough.Not this again.
“Sorry,” he said.“I didn’t mean to catch you off guard.”
As her coughing slowed, she took a sip of her drink.The cool liquid soothed the itch in the back of her throat.
She shook her head as heat rushed to her cheeks.“It’s allergies.”She did have them.“It happens this time of the year.”She paused to remember what he’d asked her before she embarrassed herself.And then it came to her.“Yes, I live in Bayberry.You couldn’t find a nicer town anywhere.”
His eyes widened.“You must really love it here.”
“I do.”Her gaze met his, and the heat in her cheeks intensified.Needing to take the attention away from herself, she asked, “Is this your first time in Bayberry?”
He nodded before taking a bite of a taco.After swallowing, he said, “Do many tourists come through here?”
She nodded.“It’s more like they stop here on their way to somewhere else.Once they check things out, a lot of people return.”
