Her friends burst into laughter.
Olive, on the other hand, gave him a bored look. “Arrest me, then, grandson.”
“Public intoxication statutes are not suggestions,” Nolan said to the assembled ladies. “Now who needs a ride home?”
Suddenly sheepish, they peered around at one another.
“Okay, I guess all of you, then.”
“We’re having fun,” Olive said, picking up her purse. “And you’re ruining it.”
Nolan crossed his arms and looked down at his beloved nana, who couldn’t have weighed more than one hundred pounds soaking wet. “Olive Foster, if you don’t hand me your tiny glass and let me escort you and your friends to my car, I will book you for drunk and disorderly. And if you even think about using the crochet hook in your purse, I’ll slap on a weapons charge.”
With a glare, she gathered her things, and slowly, the ladies filed out. “Fine.” She patted Nolan’s bearded cheek as she passed him. “But I get shotgun. And no pot roast for you tomorrow.”
It was not the first time he’d driven his grandmother home after a wild night. Though this might have been the first time the entire town was here gossiping and slinging insults at him while he did it.
“Solve the murder,” a man yelled from the crowd.
“Yeah,” another agreed. “Stop babysitting and do your damn job.”
I left my glass on the bar and headed out after Nolan. I’d had enough of the mayhem for one night.
“Jasper,” Opal called before I stepped outside.
I turned, finding her scurrying over with two to-go boxes in her hands.
“One for Evie, because I like her more than you.”
Smirking, I took the offerings.
“And the other is for Nolan. I’m worried he’s not eating.”
Outside, the ladies were now needling Nolan because his police car was too clean.
With a shake of my head, I strode over and gave him one of the to-go boxes.
Then I headed for my car. Halfway there, my phone vibrated in my pocket, and when I pulled it out and found a text from Evie, my heart swelled.
Evie:
Vincent hiccuped himself to sleep. The house is so quiet.
Jasper:
I’m on my way. Opal gave me a lobster roll for you.
Evie:
Yummy.
Jasper:
Save me a slice of quiet. I could use it.
I started my car, and for a moment, I sat in the lot, letting my mind wander. Imagining opening Evie’s door without knocking and rushing in to give her a kiss.
If only. In reality, I’d politely knock, hand her the to-go box, ask to use the bathroom to brush my teeth, and then head back out to my tent.
