Page 30 of Stardusted
“I know where you’re going with this,” I said, grabbing a tray. I turned and headed into the dining room, calling over my shoulder. “And I’m not going there with you.”
“Sure. Just a coincidence, right?” she called after me, her voice dripping smug satisfaction.
But it wasn’t.
I knew it wasn’t.
I just didn’t know what to make of it.
Chapter 9
CURIOSITY KILLED THE ANTHRO STUDENT
Thankfully,I had a new mystery to contemplate the next morning.
I unloaded bread from the reusable fabric grocery bag, glancing through the window. The sun peeked from behind puffy gray clouds that’d been gathering, and hazy light illuminated Bob’s small kitchen. The smell of strong coffee and the faint, sweet scent of the carnations I’d grabbed hung in the air. Lord knew he could use the cheer.
Behind me, Bob set his mug down on the round kitchen table and cleared his throat in that pointed way of his. I braced myself for a lecture?—
And was not disappointed.
“You should really see about a new car, Raven. Pretty girl like you shouldn’t be worried about being stranded on the side of the road. There’s some downright shit people in this world.”
“I know, Bob. I’m working on it.” I shoved his chicken noodle soup into the pantry and hung the bananas on the little brass hook I’d added under the cabinets.
Technically, none of this was in the rental agreement, but after a couple years of living above Bob’s garage, we’d slippedinto a routine. I’d gotten used to his grumbling, too. I almost enjoyed it. He was rough and gruff, an ex-soldier turned full-time curmudgeon. And yet, somehow, he’d gone from landlord to my grouchy, honorary grandfather.
Judging by his current tone, he felt the same.
“I told you, girl. I’ll help you out.”
“Absolutely not.” I shoved up my sleeves, grabbed his dirty egg pan, and gave him an exasperated look over my shoulder. “I’ve already toldyouI’m not letting you help with a car loan. You already undercharge me for the fancy apartment above your garage.”
“Bah.” Bob huffed into his coffee.
I shook my head and turned back around, dunking the pan into the soapy water. At least he didn’t swat me with the newspaper anymore when I did his dishes.
“You hear about these damn UFO lights?” he asked.
I could’ve done withoutthatparticular subject change, though. Apparently there was no avoiding it.
Resigned to it, I lifted a shoulder. “Yeah. I…heard about them. Everybody’s talking about it.”
Literally. Everyone.
Bob snorted. “Probably scouting before they drop a nuke.”
“Nobody’s going to nuke One Willow, Bob.” I rinsed the pan and reached for the plate. “It’s probably just the solar flare. That’s what the news is saying, and that makes the most sense to me.”
Liar, liar. Pants on fire.
I’d barely slept again last night. My brain wouldn’t stop spinning. No matter how much I wanted to ignore it, I couldn’t deny something was going on in One Willow. And it wasn’t looking very…terrestrial.
Bob wasn’t buying the solar flare theory either. “Then it’s that there base,” he muttered. “Always thought that place was trouble. No offense to your pops. Rest his soul.”
“It’s not the base. And thanks.” I sighed, setting the plate on the rack.
I’d given in and done another internet search. The lights had been seen all over the county. Different locations, but eerily similar in description and timing.
