“I grew up skating there every weekend.” He shuffled through papers, then addressed the state attorney, who recommended Matt be released on his own recognizance.
The judge agreed with the slap of his gavel and gave the state a month to bring charges or drop the case. At Dale’s behest, his attorney requested a protective order. The judge all but rolled his eyes and told Matt to stay at least five feet away from the plaintiff.
Outside in the breezy cool of the April afternoon, freedom felt good.
“I’ll see what I can do to make this go away, Matt,” Bodie said. “This case will rely on eyewitness testimony, which can easily be refuted. Our memories are so deceptive. Also, I don’t think training with Chuck Norris five years ago makes you lethal.” He paused by a late-model Mercedes. “By the way, we’re all sorry about what the town is doing to the Starlight. Granny Harriet can’t believe it. Let me know if I can help in some way.”
“Bodie . . .” Matt hesitated. “Thanks, I mean it. If Trinity was my lawyer, I’d still be in jail.”
“Yeah, well Trinity needs to worry about herself. She’s working through her second divorce.” Bodie unlocked the driver’s side door. “I signed the petition for the Starlight on my way here. I’ll remind the rest of the family at Sunday dinner.”
“Appreciate it. I’m staying at Dad’s. Send my bill there.”
Bodie slipped behind the wheel of the Mercedes and powered down the window. “You ever talk to Booker?”
“I think you know I don’t.”
“Darn shame,” he said. “Darn shame.”
18
HARLOW
She’d just carried out the Starlight’s trash from last night when Matt met her at the back door with a new pair of brownies.
“Lace them up and follow me.”
“I don’t skate.” Harlow stepped around him and into the safety of the rink. “What happened with your lawyer?”
“I’m ordered to give Dale a wide birth and the state has a month to make their case.” He picked up twoGazettedelivery sacks, grabbed her hand, and steered her toward the Beachwalk. “Tyler came through. We’re plastering the town.”
“With?” She peeked inside one of the canvas sacks to see a stack of flyers. “I’ll walk.”
The news from the big green scale motivated her, and this morning she jogged a mile and breakfasted on eggs and no-butter toast. She brought a salad with tuna for lunch and avoided Spike’s Concession like the plague.
Even more troubling than concession food or Matt shovinga pair of skates at her was her early morning dream of Xander. The image of him walking the shores of Cole Island, holding the hands of their beautiful, towheaded children was so real and clear.
The dream ended with a buzz of the Starlight sign, and when she stumbled into the bathroom, the shadow of theTcrossed through the window and onto the tile.
“Babe, if you can catwalk down a runway in stilettos, you can skate, trust me.” Matt took a seat at the first bench, kicked off his shoes, and pulled on his skates. “Skating around the town in defense of the Starlight is the best promo. Even my publicist—well, former publicist—couldn’t come up with something so brilliant.”
Babe?That’s the second time this week he’d called herbabe, and like the first time, they both pretended the word didn’t linger between them.
“This,” she said, motioning to her tall frame, “doesnotmove on wheels.”
He gave her a bit of a naughty grin, handed her a set of skates, and patted the space next to him. “Shoes off, skates on.”
“You are so annoying.” She’d not confess to Matt, but a small part of her wanted to try.
“We’ll go down the Beachwalk, then up Third Street to Sea Blue Way, cross over to Marlin Avenue and up Pelican Bay. I want a flyer in every shop and business window that will allow it.” He pulled a hammer from his canvas bag. “I’m personally nailing a dozen to the side of the Midnight Theater.”
“Are you dying to be a lightning bolt of controversy?” She sat, cradling the skates in her arms. “He’ll slap you with a vandalism charge.”
“He’ll have to catch me in the act.” He knelt in front of her, pulled off her Keds, and shoved on a brownie. “Come on, HH, work with me here.” He grunted and shoved. “Are you curling your toes?”
“Why would I help you force me into these ugly boots? I was afashion model.” She laughed and stomped her foot into the boot. “If I get photographed in these—”
“I’ll buy you a pretty white pair once you discover the magic of roller skating. There. Now tie the laces. Not too loose or you’ll twist your ankle.”
