“You’re the singer who’s staying out at her property, aren’t you?”
“Mm-hmm. Good news travels fast.”
“Especially in Summit Springs. I hear you were mean to Ed.”
Shit, that’s gonna follow me. I need to make it right with that guy at some point.
“Yes, and I am so very sorry for that. Since you know who I am, you probably also know what happened to me.”
She nods. “Mini-strokes.”
“Yup. Apparently, it’s turned off my politeness chip. Kinley, however, has been pretty good at putting me in my place.”
“I also heard you were mean to Orla as well. I know most people in a position like that would be impervious, but one of the reasons we love her is that she’s not some bulletproof politician. She wears her heart on her sleeve.”
“Another person I need to apologize to, I’m afraid.”
I should be a little more annoyed that so many people from the town are in my business, but I kind of like that they all look out for each other. I don’t think I’ve ever been in a place like this.
“What about Kinley?” Mrs. Bridgelock asks, narrowing her eyes at me.
“What about Kinley?”
“Don’t play coy with me. You’ve had your eyes on her ass this whole time.”
“Kind of a neat party trick, considering she’s been sitting down.”
“You know what I mean, don’t get smart with me. I see the way you look at her. You start bein’ rude to her, and I’ll kick your ass.”
Heat rushes to my cheeks and I lower my chin. “I think you know that Kinley wouldn’t stand for me being rude. She put me in my place and made me talk to my doctor about getting mood stabilizers, which I have.”
“Good girl.” Leaning forward, she puts her gnarled finger in my face. “I might not look like much, and death may be knocking on my door tomorrow, but I swear if between now and then you harm that girl, I’ll kill you myself.”
My eyes widen, realizing she is absolutely telling the truth. Not one to play with my own life, I answer, “I hear you. With the way she’s taking such good care of me, I would never hurt her. At least not on purpose.”
The water faucet in the kitchen gets turned on, and Mrs. Bridgelock rolls her eyes. “Kinley, sweetie, you don’t have to do my dishes.”
“I know. But they’re right here, and I’m right here…” she says, ignoring Mrs. Bridgelock by the sound of things.
“You know I don’t use that dishwasher thing.”
“I know,” Kinley yells back. “I’m handwashing them. You’re welcome.”
Chuckling, I tease, “Mrs. Bridgelock, you look as disgruntled as I do when someone offers me help.”
“I don’t like being treated like an invalid.”
“Yeah, because that’s exactly what Kinley is doing,” I snark.
“Oh, shush, you. Tell me, how long did it take for you to figure out she was just trying to be nice to you?”
“A little longer than I’d like to admit, but soon enough.”
“Soon enough for what? Your time here is limited, so…are you gonna wait till you’re riding out of town to make your move?”
I draw my chin back. “You think I should make a move?”
“Maybe not. Hadn’t counted on you being this stupid.”
