Page 100 of Daybreak

“I can’t wait to go home,” Holly said.

“If you want to give over selling this house to one of the other Realtors in your office, we can make it happen even sooner.”

“Really?”

“We can put stuff in storage here, and sort through what we want to keep and what we want to bring to the new house after it’s built. That way we’ll be on-site from the beginning when the building begins,” he said.

Lightning flashed, followed by a loud clap of thunder, but the tornado watch had not evolved into a warning.

“Lord,” Holly said. “What do you usually do on nights like this?”

“Eat ice cream. It’s my cure for just about everything that messes with my attitude,” he said.

“I’m in,” Holly said. “You sit and keep watching the weather. I’ll get the ice cream.”

“I require a minimum of four scoops,” he said.

“Coming up,” she said as she ran out of the room.

* * *

Pearl had already shut the Yellow Rose down for the night and was back at the house with Jacob. The bar up front was busy, but she knew Jacob would not close before midnight, and he needed to check in with Gunner about the man who’d come to find water. The stranger had some kind of fancy title, but in Pearl’s world, he was just another man who witched for water. After she had Jacob’s food on the table, she went to stand in for him while he ate and made his call, and the moment she showed up at the bar, everyone shouted out in unison, “Good evening, Miss Pearl.”

She blew them a kiss and then whispered in Jacob’s ear. “Your supper is ready, and don’t forget to call Gunner before you come back. He’s still in healing mode and might be going to bed earlier than usual.”

“Thank you, sweetheart, for the food and the reminder,” he said and then shouted out across the room. “Nobody gives Pearl a hard time.”

“We’re more afraid of her than we are of you,” one of the men shouted, and then everyone laughed.

Pearl grabbed a bar rag and began cleaning off the empty tables as Jacob entered the house.

He washed up, then sat down at the table and called Gunner. He could eat while he talked. The phone rang a couple of times and then he heard his son’s voice.

“Hey, Dad. We’re having a really noisy thunderstorm right now. What’s happening at home?”

“I just sat down to supper, so I might be chewing in your ear. Pearl’s behind the bar, so I won’t dally.”

“I remember chewing,” Gunner said.

Jacob frowned. “Is your jaw still giving you fits?”

“It’s getting better. Did the hydrogeologist show up?” Gunner asked.

“He did. He stopped by when he was leaving and said to tell you it was good news, and he’d send you all the details via email.”

“Fantastic!” Gunner said.

“Also, I’m confirming the money transfer came through. Nothing stays secret for long in Crossroads, but given our previous issue with being blamed for the armed car robbery, I would like permission to admit that it was a gift from you,” Jacob said.

“Oh, dang it, Dad! I didn’t even think about that. Yes, tell them it was a gift from me, and that I won the damn lottery, if you want. It will explain everything else I do when I get home.”

“Thanks, son. Even though people finally knew the truth of that, it’s still in the back of their minds, and I’m sorry.”

“You have nothing to be sorry for,” Gunner said. “Enjoy your supper. I know it has to be great because Pearl made it, and we’ll be home before you know it.”

“You have no idea how happy this makes me,” Jacob said. “Take care of yourself and get well first.”

“Yes, sir. It’s my intention,” Gunner said and then looked up as Holly returned with two bowls of ice cream. “We’re still safe. It’s noisy, but no funnels have formed. Enjoy your supper.”