Page 65 of The Misfits of Copper County
“Andthisis where we found them!” Delaney’s voice grew louder as he led whoever-it-was toward the kitchen. “In a vintage jam cupboard that’s been hidden in the wall for decades! Can you believe it?”
I glanced up to see Delaney’s sister holding Tierney against her chest. Her eyes darted between me and her brother with obvious interest.
“Hey, Brewer,” she said with a knowing smile. “I heard you and Delaney made some… amazing discoveries the other night.”
Clearly, Tam had gone to the Watt Bartlett School of Double Entendres.
“Tam. Good to see you.” I glanced at the baby. “And Tierney. She’s growing fast, huh?”
“Like a weed,” Tam agreed. “So… any idea who E. Winters might be?”
“Not me,” I answered, “but I’m sure someone will. And since half the town’s come by to see the paintings?—”
“Not that many,” Delaney protested. “Like, half a dozen.” He paused. “Or possibly a dozen and a half.”
“Delaney told Janice,” Tam said, shaking her head. “He should’ve known better.”
“It was really just members of the Council for Historical Happenings,” Delaney continued. “As well as a few other… key stakeholders.”
“Key stakeholders,” I repeated, fighting a smile. “Like when Constantine Bloom brought his kids by for a field trip yesterday?”
“His children were sweet and respectful,” Delaney argued. “I think it’s commendable that he values education.” He shot Tam a look. “I betheunderstands the importance of walking to the development of the newborn brain.”
“And when Janice brought Angela Ross to see them this morning, wasthateducational, too?” I wondered, unable to keep from teasing him.
“No.” Delaney lifted his chin haughtily. “If youmustknow, that visit wasn’t about the paintings at all. Angela came to renew her invitation for me to join her book club.” He considered, then added, “Andthenshe saw the paintings.”
“Her book club,” Tam repeated. “I thought you told her you didn’t have time the first time she asked.”
“I… I did,” he admitted. “Who wants to read because theyhaveto when there are too few hours in the day to read what youwantto? But Janice happened to see the book I’d left open on my tablet when she was here earlier, and it turns out that’s the exact book they’re reading this month, so…” He shrugged. “I said I’d swing by the Books n’ More next Wednesday.”
“Oooh,” Tam said eagerly. She did an unconscious little bounce-and-swing move that was putting the baby to sleep. “What’s the book? Maybe I’ve read it, too! I’ve been thinking I need to get out more. Postpartum life, you know?”
“Oh. Um.” Delaney cleared his throat and looked away, but I’d swear he was blushing. “I don’t think you’ve read this one, Tam.”
Tam’s eyes narrowed. “How do you know?”
“I just… I don’t think…”
“Ifyouenjoyed it, why wouldn’tIenjoy it?” she demanded in a whisper, probably out of deference to her sleeping daughter. “I do have brain cells. And I know you think you’re the only intellectual in the family?—”
Delaney whirled around in shock. “What? No, I don’t.”
“—but I do read from time to time. Actual books, with no pictures in them. And I do have a shiny college degree I got all on my own.”
“I know!”
“And just because I know how to play hockey and light a fire in your fireplace, that doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy reading and discussing literature, just likeyoubeing a smarty-pants, big-deal, traveling journalist doesn’t mean you don’t enjoy sledgehammering the fuck out of yourkitchen,” she finished in a whisper-yell. “Tell him, Brewer.”
Eyes wide, I lifted my hands. “Whoa,” I said. “I don’t think?—”
Delaney looked from me to her, then ran a frustrated hand over his head. “This is like me not understanding you guys being so overprotective, isn’t it?” He tugged the hair at his crown. “Tam, I know how smart you are. If anything, I’m jealous ofyouand how good you are at freakingeverything. At how easily people take to you.” He put a cautious hand on her arm and gave her a teasing smile. “It’s tough being ‘Tam Monroe’s brother, the one who doesn’t play hockey.’”
“Probably about as tough as it is being Delaney Monroe’s jock sister,” she challenged, raising an eyebrow. But then she shook her head. “Don’t mind me, Laney. I’m worried because Law seems unhappy with his new team, and I’m literally fizzing with postpartum hormones, and… as much as Iadoremy daughter, I’m bored as fuck, being stuck at home, mostly alone, thanks to the weather.” She sniffed. “So… what’s the book?”
Delaney pressed his lips together. His cheeks turned red, and he darted an almost guilty look at me. Then he mumbled, “Timdbythekurkinwrlrd.”
Tam and I exchanged a glance. I shrugged.
