Cutting into a trail he found along the road, he took his time enjoying the tall Redwoods and the feeling of being alone. He could hear no cars or voices; nothing disturbed the absolute peace. The thud of his feet was his only companion, and Brad thought spending a day hiking may be a plan before he left. In fact, he would make sure to hike to this Buchanan land his father was intent on turning into a resort.
Something was off there. He didn’t believe it was a coincidence, just as he was sure Ethan didn’t. His father wanted revenge against his sons, and this, to his mind, was a way to get it. What worried Brad was that this was only the beginning.
He let his thoughts wander until he reached the end of the trail, and then walked the rest of the way into town by road. The lake shimmered, the breeze was warm on his face, and if he were the type to stop and take a breath, this would be the ideal place to do it.
He passed the old church where his brother had married, and a large piece of grass people were erecting tents on. Brad knew this was where the Night Carnival would be held, because Billy had told him about it.
The Hoot’s front window showed him it was busy, but he saw a table become free as he entered.
“So if your brother is called ‘number five’ and ‘Tex,’ what the hell do we call you?”
Buster was ambling toward him as he approached the counter, wearing a black apron which should have given him a feminine touch, but instead made him appear tougher. Brad wasn’t entirely sure why.
“Number five?”
“Ethan Gelderman number five.”
“Bet he didn't tell you that.”
“Got it out of him one night before he realized what he'd given away.”
Brad laughed.
“You could try Brad.”
“Original, but give it a moment, I'll work something out.”
“While you do, can I eat?”
“Sure, get to it.” Buster waved at the cabinets. “Unless you want to order something, then I'd have to cook it for you.”
“Don't want to put you to any trouble,” Brad drawled.
“You got a lot of your brother in you, I have to say, even if he's not your favorite person.”
Did everyone know he wasn't comfortable around his brother?
“Small town, bud, nothing gets by anyone, and news spreads faster than shit on that big old inter web. Plus, I watched you two yesterday.”
“Right,” Brad said, looking at the menu board. Maybe he’d get Buster to cook him something, just to shut him up.
“You got a middle name, Brad?”
“Jonathan,” Brad said as he moved to the cabinets. The food looked and smelled good and his stomach was telling him he needed to fill it, and soon. He saw a basket of muffins, with a sign that said, Mystery. Reading on, he saw that if he guessed the contents after eating it, he didn’t have to pay.
“Flour, buttermilk, and cinnamon?”
“BJ it is then,” Buster said ignoring him.
“And you said Brad was original.”
“What can I say, it's a gift.”
“What's a gift?”
“Me. I'm pretty much a gift, Willow says it constantly.”
Jake McBride made a snorting noise as he strolled up to the cabinets. Stepping in front of Brad, he pulled a pie out of the warmer and took a large mouthful.
