Page 55 of The Good Luck Cafe
“No, because this is jail. Being stuck with you wasn’t so bad,” Moira said. “Way better than being stuck with Denise.”
That wouldn’t normally feel like a compliment, but coming from her, it did. “Okay then. See you later, Moira.”
“See you,” she said in a quiet voice.
He left the jail and walked out, talking to Ronnie on the way. “How much more money does she need to raise to make bail?”
The sheriff grimaced. “About five hundred more dollars. She might be staying the night.”
Gil lowered his voice. “Keep her here another hour or so and then let her go. I’ll cover the remaining bail.”
“You will?” Ronnie asked, thick brows lifting high on his forehead.
“Just don’t tell her it was me, okay? Moira is stubborn. She won’t accept it from me.”
“Why are you springing her?” the sheriff asked.
Gil cleared his throat, looking for an answer that wouldn’t make his real reasons obvious. “It’s for charity, right?”
Sheriff Ronnie patted his back. “Exactly. I’ll drive you home, Mayor.”
***
Moira was lying on a cot, just about to drift off, when she was startled awake. That seemed to be a theme for the day.
“Your turn!” Sheriff Ronnie said.
“Hmm?”
“You’ve made bail. Lucky you, you don’t have to sleep here tonight.”
Moira sat up, her body stiff from the uncomfortable cot she’d spent most of the day on. “I did? Who posted?”
“Oh, you’ve had several supporters stop by and donate today. Your mom, your dad. Tess, Trisha, Lucy. All the usual suspects.”
Moira knew they’d all been by earlier in the day though, and she hadn’t been anywhere close to covering her bail after they’d donated. “Who else?”
Sheriff Ronnie avoided her gaze. “Why are you interrogating me? Do you want to stay overnight? Because I can arrange for that to happen, you know.”
“No.” Moira shook her head quickly and stood, her joints popping and protesting their lack of movement today. “I want to go home and shower.”
“Good idea. Thank you for participating. The money raised today will really help spruce this place up.”
“You’re welcome.”
“And it wasn’t so bad, was it?” Sheriff Ronnie asked.
Moira narrowed her gaze. “It wasn’t so great either. In addition to new cots, you need to invest in better coffee.”
Ronnie laughed and patted her back as she walked alongside him. “Come on. I’ll drive you home.”
As soon as Moira arrived at her house, she sat on the edge of her bed and texted Gil.
Moira:I know it was you who posted the rest of my bail.
Gil:Are you out then?
Moira:Home sweet home.
