Page 29 of Goode Tidings

"Creativity comes in various mediums, Callum Goode. Not all of us can create websites." My arms cross. My lips pull into a pleased smirk that says yeah, I did my homework. Technically, my fourteen-year-old did my homework, but that's irrelevant and not worth mentioning.

His eyes narrow. "I've never met anyone who so proudly admits to looking someone up."

"I had to make sure you weren't going to knife me in the middle of the night. A woman can't be too careful."

Tim's glancing between us. "Callum, is this woman living with you?"

"No," I say, while Callum says, "In a manner of speaking."

Now I'm the one narrowing my eyes, while a pleading look flashes across Callum's face.

"What Eden means is that we're not living together living together," Callum explains. "We're more like temporary roommates."

My chin tips sideways and my lips press together. Callum needs me to go along with his story, but I'm going to have a little fun with it first. Make him sweat. "Tim? Let's say, hypothetically speaking, of course, if Callum and I were living together, where exactly would we be living?"

Tim scratches his age-spotted scalp with equally aged spotted hands. "I'm not quite sure what you're getting at, Miss Eden, but usually the simplest answer is the right one. You'd be living in Callum's cabin over on Lake Circle."

My eyebrows climb my forehead in mock surprise. "Callum's cabin?"

Tim glances between me and Callum. "Well, yes. The cabin he took over from his stepbrother and remodeled."

"Ohh? Hm." I tap my chin with a lone finger. "That cabin."

Tim slides a concerned gaze to the giant liar in the aisle with us. "Callum, if I were you, I'd be certain to lock my bedroom door at night."

Callum grins crookedly. "I'm not too worried when it comes to Eden. She's about as dangerous as an Andes Mint."

I blink innocently. "The only thing more hazardous than little ol' me is a naked squatter."

Callum's grin drops from his face. Tim looks more confused than ever.

"I can't keep up with you young people." He glances at Callum. "Maybe it's a good thing you weren't interested in my granddaughter. There's something weird going on here"—he points a stiff finger from Callum to me—"and I don't want her wrapped up in it."

"Tim—" Callum and I say at the same time, but Tim holds up his hands. "I fold. I'm out. I don't want to know. I'll be at the counter when you're ready to pay."

He shuffles away.

I point my tweezers at Callum. "Way to go. You scared away your only friend in Snowflake."

"How would you know he's my only friend?" Callum looks pleased. "You internet searched me, and you asked around town about me? Watch out, Eden. You're stroking my ego."

"You know, this is the second time since I met you that you've brought up your ego. It must be starved for attention." My arms cross. "That's what happens when you become a hermit."

His eyes sparkle with amusement. Is it possible he not only tolerates this banter, but he likes it? "Say it," he says in that deep voice. It's a command and a challenge wrapped in one.

I nibble at my lower lip, not sure what he's getting at. "Say what?"

"My nickname."

I flinch. "You know about your nickname?"

"The people of Snowflake can't whisper to save their lives." His hands slip into his pockets and he rocks back onto his heels. "You look like you feel bad for me. Don't. I think it's funny. And accurate."

Callum has a sense of humor? Since when? I guess he did call me Andes Mint. Admittedly, that was a witty observation.

My curiosity about this man balloons, and I blurt, "Why are you hiding out at the cabin? Where did you come from?"

"It doesn't matter," he answers quickly, worry trickling into his eyes as he glances at the front of the store. "Can you please keep your voice down?"