“How’s Mom?” I know she had a series of tests done last week and Bella was waiting on results.
“Nothing yet. Hopefully today. Otherwise, we’ll have to wait until Monday. I’m going to call the doctor’s office later.”
“Let me know.”
She pats me on the leg and nods. “You should stop over and visit. She’s been asking about you.”
I should. It’s been a few weeks since I bugged Mom. “I will.”
I watch Bella walk to her van. Before she gets to it, she turns. “Call the bed-and-breakfast. I bet they have his phone number.”
“That’s probably confidential.”
“It’s a frigging bed-and-breakfast. He didn’t sign a stupid nondisclosure agreement.”
I nod. “Good idea.” And it is.
“It doesn’t need to be about your fling, but I think you need to find out what the hell those two were up to. She’s never going to leave you alone unless you’re able to stop her from doing whatever it is she’s doing. And your boyfriend is now involved.”
“He’s not my…”
Bella rolls her eyes and finishes my sentence. “Your boyfriend. I know.”
It’s okay for me to say “He’s not my boyfriend,” but hearing her say it, well, the truth hurts.
“I’ll call Lyle and ask.”
“Great. Let me know what he says.” Then, she mumbles something I can’t quite make out.
“Bye.”
“Love you, Lou Lou.” She always tells me that.
“Love you too.” Then she slides behind the wheel. I watch her back up and drive off.
Grasping my phone, I do as I promised. Searching for the B and B’s phone number, I press it when I find it. “Zodiac Hills Bed and Breakfast. A great place to stay. This is Lyle. How can I help you?”
Wow, that’s a mouthful.
“Hey, Lyle. This is Lou Hamlin.”
“Well, hello, darlin’. How’s it going?”
“Good.” I swallow. Nerves taking over. “I was curious. Do you happen to have Chase Ryder’s phone number?”
“Chase?” He pauses. “Ryder?”
“Yeah. He stayed there. He checked out on Sunday.”
“Oh. Your boyfriend?” Lyle chuckles. “You lost his number already.” He mumbles something about kids today, then I hear papers shuffling. “Ready?”
No. “Hang on. Let me get something to write with.”
I race back into the house in search of one of my pencils. When I find it, I hold it and say, “Ready.”
“It’s 333-499-8100.”
I scribble quickly onto a plank of wood. “Thanks, Lyle.”
