Page 2

I silently cursed under my breath as I heard the woman’s voice. Because if there was anyone who was a huge gossip in this town, it was Maddie.

She was a sweetheart, but she made it her utmost business to get the scoop on anyone. But more importantly, her biggest cup of tea was spilling about her son.

“Hi Maddie,” I told her, turning around to smile at her. “I’m always here. No one else works but me.”

“I know. Poor girl, you need to get out and have a life. Such a shame to just work and go home to your dogs.”

“It’s what I enjoy. They keep me company. Was there something you needed help with?”

“Why yes, there is something I need. See, Jackson, he had a huge problem. And I need to know if there’s any law books I can read to help him.”

I stared at her for a long moment before blinking.

What did one say to that?

I mean, sure, I had stuff here. But would it help? I wasn’t sure. In fact, I really didn’t know if what I had would be what she really needed for him.

I didn’t want to pry though. However, I had a very strong feeling that’s exactly what she was getting me to do.

“Maddie, what kind of law books do you need?”

“Oh, thank you. That would probably narrow it down for me. See, Jackson found out his wife was cheating. At least that’s the reason he’s thinking given that she cleaned out his bank account and left him without a word. Packed up all her stuff and just vanished. Well, her car was gone. But there was no note, no nothing.”

Once more, all I could do was stare at her.

I knew Jackson had gotten married a few years back. But I also knew he didn’t live here anymore. In fact, I was pretty sure he was somewhere down south, maybe Florida. But it wasn’t my business, so I lost track of him.

Granted, he was younger than me, so it wasn’t like I had a reason to keep tabs.

“Oh,” was all I said. “I guess, what are you hoping to find in the law books?”

“If there’s a way to sue. Jackson had to move back here; he can’t afford everything down there. And he was laid off right after she left.”

Well, if that didn’t scream suspicious, I didn’t know what would. But again, not my business.

“Maddie, I don’t think there is anything I have for you that will help you and your son. My advice, talk to a lawyer.”

“Well, Jackson already is. I was just hoping to help him along if I could. Thank you anyway, my dear. Have a good night.”

And just like that, she left in a flurry, just like she came in.

Did she need a book?

Nope.

Did she want to spill gossip?

Of course.

And for some unknown reason, I was the lucky one to get all of that when I shouldn’t.

I rubbed my forehead, ready to scream. That was really the last thing I wanted to deal with today and I couldn’t be happier to see that it was just about time to close.

I helped the ladies with their checkouts then made sure everything was locked up and turned off. Once done, I grabbed my purse and locked the front door, hitching the collar up on my jacket a little higher against the breeze that was blowing through.

The walk home would be a little colder than the walk to work.

With a sigh, I walked down the sidewalk, glancing to walk across the street, right as a car came down the road, blaring his horn as he passed me, giving me a huge scare.