“Yeah, well, let me be grateful for once.It doesn’t happen often,” he adds jokingly.
I’d seen Nate’s work truck and a few other contractor vehicles back here since I came back to work, and was curious to see what was going on.Clem explained he’d needed to upgrade the electrical, make some minor modifications to the floor plan, and slap on some fresh paint.
“Anybody here?”
A woman’s voice drifts up the stairs where Clem was just showing me his new office.
“Up here!”Clem hollers, and to me he explains, “Real estate agent.I had some final paperwork to sign.”
“Hey, Rowan,” I greet the woman who pokes her head around the door post.
“Hugo, are you following me?Didn’t we just talk this morning?”she teases with a grin.“You’re gonna have to be patient; your listing won’t be up for another couple of days.”
“I know.”
I gesture for her to take the vacant visitor chair.
“What, are you selling?”Clem wants to know.
“Bess and I are buying Phil’s place.”
“For real?You’re gonna live in old man Colter’s backyard?Voluntarily?”
He’s kidding.I happen to know he plays poker with Brant Colter just about every Thursday night at The Kerrigan.I was invited to play a time or two years ago but, at the time, I didn’t want to be in a situation where I’d be taking my boss’s money.Of course, a lot has changed since then, but I’ve never really been big on gambling with my money.I had a kid to pay for and then, of course, came the hospital bills for Emily’s care and treatments.
“It’s far enough away, and we like the peace and quiet,” I respond, as I get to my feet.“Well, I’ll leave you two to it.I’ll catch both of you later.”
I just come walking out of one of the big bay doors when I catch sight of Bess, her hair flying behind her as she comes running across the station’s parking lot.
“Whoa, what’s the matter?”
She doesn’t stop and runs straight into my arms.
“Jesus, Twinkie, what’s going on?”
“I was looking for you at the station but Brenda said you were over here.”
“Why were you looking for me?”
She leans back and looks up at me.
“I couldn’t get away from the coffee shop until now, but I had the strangest visitor this morning.”
Flags go up immediately.
“What do you mean, visitor?”
“His name is Peter Abel—at least that’s what he calls himself, I googled and can’t find anything about that name—and he’s the guy who bought Phil’s painting yesterday.”
“Right, he was supposed to pick it up today.”
“Yes, but he showed up early, and he said he knew my mom and the painting reminded him of her.I have to admit, I was a little freaked out, especially when he said he’d been keeping tabs on me, and he knew about my brother and the Lotus Squad, but then?—”
“He what?”I cut off her ramble.“He kept tabs on you?”
“Yes, but I think he was making sure I was safe.”
She grabs my forearms and leans in, deep blushes on her cheekbones and her eyes shining with excitement.
