Page 97 of The Good Luck Cafe
Moira didn’t wait for a response. She was ready to get home. She put her car into drive and pulled onto the road, hearing more text messages ping from her phone in the passenger seat. What was going on? Perhaps she should take Lucy up on the ice cream. That sounded nice, but not nearly as enticing as inviting Gil over. She’d prefer not to be covered in dog hair when she saw him—so a shower was in order—but she also couldn’t wait to see him and tell him all about her day with Beth and the dogs. And to kiss him. Dog kisses were great, but Gil kisses were preferable.
***
Gil glanced around the Somerset cottage that was available to rent, scrutinizing it for safety. It was a one-bedroom cottage with a bathroom, kitchen, and living area.
“Fully furnished,” his mom said, looking pleased. “That’s good. You won’t have to buy furniture.”
Doug had been quiet since stepping inside the tiny quarters.
Gil stepped up to him. “You okay? Having second thoughts?”
“No.” Doug smiled now. “I’m just shocked that this is happening. I’m going to move out and be on my own.”
“We’re just around the corner,” Gil reminded him. “A golf cart ride away.” Almost everyone here had golf carts and used them regularly to navigate around the lake.
Doug nodded. “I know. This is great. This place is perfect.”
Someone knocked on the door, and they all turned to see Trisha Fletcher standing on the porch. Trisha not only was the rental manager but also lived with Jake a couple of cottages down.
Gil gestured her in. “Hey, Trisha. Please don’t tell us this place has already been rented, because Doug just told us it’s perfect.”
Trisha clapped excitedly. “Oh, yay. I’m so glad to hear that. I think you’ll love living here, Doug. I know I do. Petey always loved to walk the dogs with Louise. He’s hoping you won’t mind if he goes along with you sometimes.” Petey was Trisha’s young son from a previous marriage.
“I won’t mind,” Doug said. “I like Petey.”
“Good. Anything I can help you with? Want me to give you a tour?”
His mom laughed. “Well, the place is fairly small. You can give us the tour without moving a foot.”
“Which is perfect for a single guy moving out for the first time,” Gil said, catching his mom’s eye. She was still having a hard time letting go, but he knew she was doing her best.
Gil’s cell phone pinged with a text message. He ignored it and continued looking around the cottage. Whoever was calling could wait. This time with Doug was important. As soon as the phone stopped buzzing, a message pinged. Then another.
“Aren’t you going to check it?” Doug asked, looking concerned.
His cell phone alerted him of a third message. “Fine. Let me see who it is.” Gil pulled his phone from his pocket and tapped on a message from Jake.
Jake:There’s an article you need to see. Sooner than later.
Gil:I’ll pass. I don’t care what anyone says about me in the media.
Jake:It’s not about you. It’s about Moira.
Gil stared at the text, wondering if Jake thought he should see it because it was bad for Gil because it shone a positive light on Moira. Or bad because it shone a negative light on Moira.
Another text came through. This one from Miles.
Miles:Why are politics so ruthless?
“Gil? You okay?” Doug asked.
Gil shook his head. “I’m not sure. I need to go though. Mom, can you finish touring the place with Doug?”
“Of course I can.” She wrapped her arm around Doug’s shoulders. “And I promise I won’t try to talk him out of this.”
“Thanks,” Gil said, stepping out of the cottage and onto the porch. He dialed Jake’s number as he hurried down the steps.
“I thought you’d be calling me,” Jake said as soon as he answered. “Have you seen it yet?”
