“Almost feels like fraud,” I muttered. “But it’s real. I used it for the shop when I first started.”
“Call me cynical, but I don’t trust whoever’s behind it.”
“I get it, but it’s helped us a lot.”
“Behind a smoke screen.” Jade crossed her arms.
“Maybe we shouldn’t look a gift horse in the mouth.”
“Or maybe we should find out who it is.”
“And risk losing it? Don’t make me call Piper to dissuade you.”
“Call me to dissuade you from what?” another voice asked.
“Piper!” Jade said. “Theo just got a check from the STM grant.”
I handed the letter to Piper. “Wow, this is ... excessive.”
“It’s suspicious,” Jade said. “I wanna find out who it is.”
“They’re hiding it for a reason,” I replied.
“But they own everything in town,” Piper said. “And money just flows.”
“See? She’s on my side.” Her palm slammed onto the counter. “That’s it. I’ve found my obsession. No more sleeping with mediocre dudes. I’m figuring out this damn grant.”
Jade walked out of the shop, head held high.
“I have a bad feeling about this,” I said to myself.
“I’ll keep her in line.” Piper looked back down at the papers. “And we should cash this soon. Before she starts her search.”
“You’re right. Wanna go with me? You can tell me how Mitch is doing.”
“Only if you provide coffee.”
“Always, love.”
I got her a cup of her favorite before we left. I had to be back soon to finish roasting the beans.
When we got to the square, both of us were planning on going right to my car.
Then something flew right at Piper.
I caught it with one hand and yanked her behind me with the other.
“Whoa! What was that?” she asked.
I looked at what was in my hand. “Are these ... children’s pants?”
“Agnes!” a deep voice yelled out. “Get back here! And donottake your pants off!”
A child, no more than five, cackled as she ran full speed down Main Street.
“And get out of the tree, Beatrice!”
“You can’t tell me what to do! You’re not my dad!”
