“I don’t think barrel museums and old people are very interesting, but you don’t hear me questioning your life choices, now do you?”
“No.” I rake a hand through my hair. “I’m such a jerk, John. Seriously. I’m really sorry.”
He studies my face for a moment and then chuckles, all of thetension instantly vanishing from his frame. “Don’t worry about it. I’m just giving you a hard time.”
“Well, I deserve it. You’ve been so helpful all week, and this is how I repay you.”
He laughs again. “It’s fine. Tell you what: go buy me a hamburger and we’ll call it even.”
“A two-dollar hamburger is going to make up for me being a total asshole?”
“Good point. Two hamburgers, then.”
I crack a small smile. “I really am sorry.”
“I know. Now go get us some food, before I decide it should be three hamburgers.”
I give him a grateful smile and head to the barbecue, mentally kicking myself all the way. I can’t believe I was such a jerk.
Rose looks up as she hands a hot dog to Trey. “You want something, Emily?”
“Two hamburgers, please, and a hot dog.”
“I can do the hamburgers, but Trey’s just stolen the last hot dog,” she says. Trey grins at me apologetically through a mouthful of hot dog.
“We ran out? Seriously?”
“Yep.” Rose smiles. “And we’re on the last pack of burgers. I think we can officially call this thing a hit.”
I exhale in relief. (Just between you and me, I didn’ttechnicallyhave enough money to pay off my credit card if we didn’t break even on all the food I bought.) “Thank goodness. I’ll have three burgers, then, if you’ve got them.”
“On it,” Rose says.
“All the kids really love your new exhibit,” Trey comments.
“Our new exhibit,” I correct. “You and John did all the work.”
“Yeah, well. It’s nice to see people enjoying this place.” He grins and takes another bite of hot dog, and for a minute or two we watch all the people milling around the yard. Everyone really does look like they’re having a great time.
When I glance back at Trey, he’s looking at me with a thoughtful expression.
“What?” I ask, a little self-consciously.
“You’re good at this.”
“Planning events for barrel museums?” I laugh. “Shame it’s not an Olympic sport.”
“I mean it,” Trey says. “You should be manager of this place, not Shelley.”
“Hear, hear,” Rose adds.
Embarrassed, I wave them away. “You know that’ll never happen.”
“Yeah, maybe not,” Trey says. “But I bet there are museums in Charlottetown that would love to have you work for them. Although I guess you probably wouldn’t want to commute that far from Waldon.” He swallows the last bite of his hot dog. “I should get back to it. No rest for the wicked.”
A moment later, Rose hands me three burgers wrapped in paper. I smile and thank her. Back at the drinks station, John has been accosted by about thirty kids who have all just finished the scavenger hunt and are clamoring for a drink, so I hand over his burgers with an apologetic smile and take over the station while he eats. I hand out soda and juice until John shoos me away again, ordering me to go eat my own burger.
I head inside to get out of the sun and duck into the break roomto eat. Afterward, I take a spin through the museum. I should really head back to the front desk to check on Brenda, but I don’t want to go just yet. Trey’s words are ringing in my ears, and there’s an idea percolating at the edges of my mind.
