“I know.”
“I have to go work for a bit today. We get busy on Saturdays. You good on your own?”
“Yeah. Have a good day, Nan.”
“You too.”
I head back to my bedroom, but my head is spinning. Something major is going on with him, but for whatever reason, he thinks it’s better not to tell me.
My gut tells me I better keep an eye on him before he does something he can’t come back from.
Chapter 19
Vanian
I fucked up. Big-time. And where the hell is all this weird jealousy and possessiveness coming from? I’m surprised Nantes doesn’t have whiplash after talking to me.
Rubbing my forehead, I pull forward to the stoplight, considering my next move. I could get to Winona, Minnesota in two and a half hours and still be back in time for dinner. Nantes won’t even know. When I stopped in at the main house, it was packed with people waiting for tours and so busy all Nantes could do was wave.
I slipped out, and now I’m driving west. It’s daytime though, and after what I pulled with Gage, I can’t afford to keep being messy and impulsive. I won’t do anything. I’ll just watch.
I spend the drive sorting my thoughts, and as I enter the city limits, I note landmarks and street names. It doesn’t take long to realize this is a university town, but given that it’s summer, the sidewalks are pretty empty. I pass an ice cream shop that has a bench out front with two kids and a woman sitting there lickingcones. Ice cream sounds delicious right now, so after the next turn, I find a parking spot.
Instead of heading straight for the ice cream store, I stroll up and down the sidewalk, glancing in at all the different stores. It’s a cute place. Kind of quaint. Two older men sit outside of a barber shop on a bench, shooting the shit. The scene makes me smile. As I draw nearer, I overhear their conversation, and I catch a particular word.
“Can you believe the nerve of that Fetterman?” one man says. “He thinks he can settle in our town and sully our good reputation?”
I linger in front of the store next to them to eavesdrop. Are they really talking about Alex Fetterman?
“His aunt lives here,” the other man says. “What’d you expect? Dolores would take in anybody, even trash.”
“I called the sheriff and asked him what he planned to do about it, but do you know what he said? Can’t do nothing. He didn’t commit a crime here.”
“He didn’t, Ernest. He was acquitted.”
“He wasn’t acquitted, Amos. The charges were dismissed. You read the article.”
“Yeah, I did. Suppose all we can do is hope he keeps to his own.”
“Except I heard from that city council boy that he’s been asking about some of the storefronts for lease. He’s gonna open a business here.”
“Man’s gotta make a living.”
“Amos, dammit, don’t you care? You’ve got grandkids, same as me.”
“Well, now I heard it was all in the church. He don’t go to my church.”
Earnest huffs, crossing his arms over his chest. “Megan is worried. All the teachers at the elementary school are.”
“I understand, but I don’t think he’ll go up there. This town’s too small. We’d all notice. He’s already being watched like a hawk.”
Being watched like a hawk, huh? Leaning against the wall, I pull my phone out and see if I can find his aunt’s name. Maybe it’s also Fetterman.
“Need help, son?” Amos calls over to me.
“No, sir. I was just passing by and thought I’d check out the town, see if there’s anything interesting.”
“We’ve got the Marine Art Museum. That’s about it other than trails, but you don’t look much like you’re planning to hike.”
