Page 80 of Happy Harbor
“Because you loved my grandmother?”
“Partly, I suppose. But also because I care about you.”
“About last night...”
He held up his hand. “Not now. I have to go tell the man where to set up the petting zoo.”
“Petting zoo?”
“Yep. He has goats, llamas, little teacup pigs, and ponies.”
“You’re insane,” she said, laughing.
“Insane or genius?” he called back to her as he walked away. Honestly, she wasn’t sure.
* * *
Josie walked around the streets, saying hello to people she’d never met. It was way outside her comfort zone, but she did it anyway. Saving Campbell’s was her most important job right now, so she had to push her pride aside.
“Thank you all for working so hard today. You’ll never know what this means to me,” Josie said to Bear and the other employees manning the table. She’d watched them work tirelessly all day, and she didn’t feel like she deserved their loyalty.
“You’re welcome. We love Campbell’s, so we’ll do just about anything to save it.” She smiled and nodded before moving to the next table.
“Thank you so much for doing this!” Josie said to a woman who was selling handmade soaps and giving most of the proceeds to the cause.
She smiled. “You’re welcome, honey. Adeline was a wonderful friend. We played bridge together.”
Josie had never figured out what bridge was. A card game, maybe? She didn’t know and never cared enough to ask. Now she’d give anything to sit with her grandmother while she explained the game.
“I’m sorry, but I don’t know your name.”
“Evelyn.”
“Nice to meet you, Evelyn. And thank you again.”
She stepped around the corner and took a deep breath. It wasn’t quite lunchtime, and she was already exhausted from the heat and constant socializing. Josie was more of an introvert.
“You okay?”
She turned to see her mother standing there holding a stack of premade sandwiches. “Yeah. Just needed a minute. How’s the booth going?”
“Great! We can’t keep food in stock. You know, Walker somehow got tons of people from neighboring towns. These aren’t just Happy Harbor folks.”
“I thought there were a lot more people here than I expected.”
“I don’t know what he did exactly, but it’s working. I can’t wait to get the final tally after tomorrow.”
“I still don’t see how it’s going to be enough...”
“Josie, have faith.”
“You’re right.” Her phone buzzed in her pocket, and she looked at the screen. Her only friend from back in Atlanta was calling. “I’d better take this.”
“Okay. See you later.”
Josie stepped farther into the alleyway. “Melody? Is everything all right?”
“It’s so good to hear your voice! How are you?”
