Page 16 of Huckleberry Hill
I’m still waiting on a picture.
Wyn
Picture? Picture of what?
Salem
The new wrangler that saved Hadley from the bear.
Poet
Whaaaat?! Details! This can’t wait until tonight.
Me
It’ll have to.
Wyn
Edger. You’re an edger of information.
I set my phone on the nightstand and then made the bed before sitting on the edge of the mattress, staring off into space. My gaze caught on the framed photograph on the nightstand.
A family photo. Salem and I were twelve and making goofy faces at the camera while my mother and father stared at one another in blissful adoration.
I ran a finger across my mother’s face. “Miss you, Mom.”
My mind immediately went back to the scent clinging to my father’s collar.
I wouldn’t bring it up to him. Nor would I mention it to Salem. It would only make her lose her cool.
With a groan of exhaustion, I hoisted myself up. I pocketed my cell phone before padding downstairs.
I quickly loaded the dishwasher and set it to run. Then I grabbed the truck keys, my coat, and was out the door.
Chapter Four
Town
* * *
“Hadley Powell!”
I turned at the screech and smiled as a dimpling woman with wrinkles at the corners of her eyes came out from behind the counter.
“Hi, Lucy,” I said as the older woman embraced me.
“Your daddy was in here the other day, and he said you were headed off to Italy,” she said as she pulled back. “That’s so glamorous.”
I held in a sigh. “Change of plans. I came home for a bit.”
“Hmm.”
“I just stopped in to buy some socks,” I said, wanting to change the subject away from Italy as soon as possible. “And then I’m headed over to Sweet Teeth.”
“Oh, we just got a bunch of socks in. My favorite are the ones with campfires and s’mores on them. Cute as can be.” She hiked up her jeans to show off her ankles.
“They are cute,” I agreed.
