“Thanks, Mandy, I’m doing okay. Where’s that loser you date?”
“Jealousy is ugly in a man, especially as I have something you want.” Ted Hosking appeared through a door. The man owned the tourist lodge in town. He and Mandy were a couple, and both of them had changed because of it. Ted had softened, at least with Mandy, and she’d got stronger.
He was a man who wore power well. Big, strong, he was one of the shrewdest businessmen Fin knew.
“True that. So, your hair looks good, Ted.”
He laughed. “I said I’d sell you that land. No need to grovel, Fin Finds A Femur.”
Ted was cutting up some of the Falls Lodge land, and Fin was buying a piece. He’d build his home there, and then his roots would be bound to this place.
“Not you too,” Fin muttered.
“I’m sure in, say, ten years, that will get old.” Ted slapped him on the back.
“Maggie’s back,” Joe said.
“What? When?” Mandy stepped out from behind the counter. “No one knew she was coming, did they?”
“Bailey didn’t know.”
“Weird,” Ted said, slipping his hand around Mandy’s waist. He then leaned down and kissed her cheek.
“Really weird,” Fin added. “She looked off too.”
“Off how?”
“Just off,” he said to Mandy.
“She’s just arrived, so maybe she was tired?” Mandy frowned.
“Sure, I guess.”
“Sit; we’ll bring coffee.”
“And scones. You got any lemon and blueberry ones?” Joe asked.
“I have to serve them too?” Ted looked disgusted.
“They are paying customers.” Mandy patted his cheek, and the look on his friend’s face made him gag.
“You are so whipped.” Fin walked away, disgusted.
“And you’re jealous.”
True that.
“Find any more bones?”
“Day’s young, Ted.”
“So, Fin, you want to come out for a spin with us?” Mr. Goldhirsh said. He and his buddies were seated at the next table. “It would be a good distraction after what you found.”
When hell freezes over.
“AP has a spare bike.”
“I’ll give it a miss, but thanks, and I’m all good.”
