“Like where?” I asked, glancing at her warily. “Are you thinking of leaving?”
“I don’t know. Maybe. I could go to the big city,” she grinned.
“What could you possibly do in Billings that you couldn’t do here?”
“I don’t know. Maybe I’ll work at Yellowstone. I could be a tour guide with a cute hat.”
“And pray you don’t get eaten by a bear,” I retorted.
“Hey, that’s just as likely here.” Sighing, she plopped her elbow on the window. “I don’t know. I’m just bored. How am I ever going to meet someone around here? I’ve known everyone since birth, and I’m not like you. I didn’t find the love of my life in fourth grade.”
“Third,” I corrected. “Well, don’t do anything rash,” I said as I pulled into a parking spot in front of the general store.
Rolling her eyes at me, she flung her door open. “No one ever does anything rash around here. It’s so boring.”
As I got out, I looked up and down the street, wondering why anyone would want to leave this idyllic town. With shops lining bothsides of the streets and refashioned incandescent street lamps lining every sidewalk, this town was absolutely wonderful.
Everyone knew everyone else, the people were friendly, and the festivals were always a ton of fun. I could never see leaving this place for a city.
“Earth to Bailey!” Krista called out. “Shopping?”
“Sorry, I was just wondering why you would want to leave here. I love it.”
“You love it because you see a future. All I see is someplace I’ll never escape.”
The bell chimed as we walked inside. Waving to Mr. Callahan, I wasn’t at all surprised when all I got was a grunt in return.
“He used to be such a nice man.”
“Well, that’s what happens when your son gets his head bashed in.”
As I pushed the cart through the store, I kept my voice low. “I know it’s hard, but it wasn’t anyone’s fault.”
“You know that, and so does the rest of the town, but that man is one angry bear. I’m surprised the town still puts up with him after the way he’s treated people.”
“He doesn’t still blame Jeff, does he?”
“He’s never come out and said it, but Austin has made it perfectly clear that he does. Not to mention they think my dad screwed him out of his land.”
We turned the corner and I grabbed the noodles, leaning in closer to hear the gossip. “Why would he think that?”
“Well, you know Dad bought land off him to help him with the medical bills.”
“I knew he bought land. I didn’t know it had anything to do with the medical bills.”
“Well, apparently, a few years after he sold it, his land was reassessed and the value went down significantly.”
My eyes widened at the news. “Was he planning on selling?”
“No, but if he ever does, he sold off the most valuable piece to my dad.”
“Where was it?”
“By Murky Falls.”
“No,” I gasped, turning another corner and running right into the old man.
Feeling like I had been caught red-handed, I turned beet red. “Oops, sorry. I didn’t see you there.”
