I crumple the paper my breakfast came wrapped in and toss it into the box at his feet. "That may be. Doesn't change a thing though. Who sold that rappelling gear?"
Drew walks behind the checkout counter and picks up the phone, pressing two buttons. He glances at me, eyes flickering away when he meets my gaze.
"Come out here," he barks into the phone.
The door at the back of the store swings open, and a heavyset older man walks out. Worry wrinkles his face. He looks at Drew, who waves his hand at me.
"This guy wants to know who bought rappelling gear recently."
I smile at the employee. He returns the gesture, his lips wavering. The poor guy thinks he's done something wrong, all because Drew is mad I know his secret.
"Sir," I say, offering my hand. He shakes it. "I already know who bought the gear. Can you tell me about their plans to use it?"
He looks at Drew, who mutters, "Just tell him."
I have to stop myself from rolling my eyes. They're acting like they're handling sensitive information. "I just need to know because I can't reach them and I don't know where they went," I explain.
"They said they were going to try Devil's Canyon today. I told them it was better suited for more advanced climbers, and they told me they knew what they were doing. I warned them there was a lot of rain in the high country and to expect the canyon to start filling up as soon as the rainwater went downstream. I don't know if they took me seriously." He looks at me with concern. "Are they friends of yours?"
"Something like that." I shake his hand again. "Thanks for the info." I turn to leave, lifting a parting hand in the air and saying over my shoulder, "Say hi to Grace for me."
Behind me is the sound of a box being kicked. I get in my truck and drive back out to Wildflower, as promised. As soon as the town meeting is over, I'll be paying a visit to a certain canyon.
40
Jo
It's awkwardwith Travis this morning, even after our talk yesterday.
When he'd come to find me, I was taking pictures of the campers' lodge. I'd heard the sound of approaching footsteps, expecting it to be Wyatt. I was shocked when I saw my son coming toward me.
My son. Now that he knows, I want to grab a megaphone and scream it from the street corner. I know better, though. I have to tread lightly. A tremendous betrayal, at the hands of me and my mom. The two people he trusts the most.
Travis asked me one question.Are you my mom now?
I wanted to answer by sayingI never stopped being your mom, but the truth is that I did. I gave up my chance to walk him into his first day of kindergarten, to kiss his bumps and bruises, to sign him up for Little League.
I had my reasons, and they were good, too. His safety and security came first, and I couldn't have made it on my own. I explained it all to him. He stayed quiet, but he listened. And I'm grateful for that.
I didn't try to hug him, even though I'm dying for one. He'll have to come to me on his own time, and I'll just be here waiting for when that happens.
He's sitting at the kitchen table now, eating a bowl of cereal. When he walked into the kitchen and saw me, he said, "Hi, Jo," and faltered on my name. My guess is that it's only the beginning of the awkwardness.
The town meeting is in an hour. My nerves are already shot, leaving me little room to make myself even sicker over the meeting. I'm only drinking coffee this morning, for fear of whatever I eat making a return on the floor of town hall.
Wyatt walks in the front door. As promised, he is back in time. He strides in, the supple leather of his boots shining in the sunlight pouring in from the windows. He wears a pressed white button-up, clean jeans, and a real cowboy hat.
He comes into the kitchen. He doesn't kiss me though, glancing over at Travis like he is unsure how to greet me. Travis asks Wyatt why he's dressed up. I haven't told him about the meeting. There was too much happening at once, and I don't want him to feel bad.
"Uh," Wyatt starts, looking at me. "There’s a, uh…"
"A meeting," I say, half smiling at Wyatt. "A town meeting this morning."
"Why?" Travis's eyebrows pull together suspiciously, his loaded spoon suspended midair.
My hands tighten around my coffee cup. My first inclination is to dumb it down, protect him from the truth. But I have the feeling that's the last thing he needs right now. It's more important that I'm honest with him.
"After the firecracker incident, there are some people who aren't sure if my ranch will benefit the town after all. So they're holding a meeting to discuss it."
