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I tell myself I’m checking the crowds to make sure everyone is safe. We have increased security here from the sheriff’s department since we’re all competing today.
Despite it being almost two years since the shooting in the town square, it was suggested that we create a one-way in and one-way out type of setting for Lindell. Talk of building walls in Texas isn’t a new thing, and everyone seems to have an opinion on it, but the construction of those are usually much further west of our town.
I’ve kept my mouth shut through all of it. I don’t want my knowledge to ruin their false sense of security. Violence can happen at any point, and we aren’t just at the mercy of outsiders. The man the district attorney’s office called about recently was a domestic violence case. People in town are quick to gossip, but they refuse to acknowledge the bad stuff, as if ignoring it will make them safe. I want Lindell to stay as untouched by the big cities as it can, but we aren’t without our own faults and obstacles.
No one in town wants to hear how much security it would require to keep those that want to harm us from coming in, and they certainly don’t want fingers pointed at those who already exist inside our city limits.
Hell, Adalynn Tate ripped my heart from my chest and stomped on it, and no one around is the wiser. If it were brought up, I’m sure it would be all my fault. There’s no way one of the town princesses could ever do such a thing.
As if thinking of her drew her into existence, I spot her near the memorial set up for Jason Conroy and Chase Woodson’s mother. She’s wearing her sash from when she won Ms. Lindell, a competition she told me she didn’t even want to participate in. Several women from different generations wear their sashes. It’s expected of them at more than one of these types of events. EvenRuth, who is setting up her booth, and Marlene, who owns the small grocery store in town, have theirs on.
Her eyes dart in my direction, but they move away just as quickly, as if she doesn’t even recognize me at all. Maybe I’m finally realizing my place in town, and it in no way includes Adalynn Tate.
Chapter 34
Adalynn
“You’re avoiding me.”
“I’m doing no such thing,” I say, but I don’t lift my eyes to Madison.
She huffs, not letting me get away with anything.
“Can you at least give me a towel?”
“I don’t have any towels.”
“I see the stack of them peeking out from under the edge of your table skirt.”
I drop my eyes right to where the towels are kept.
“See!” she snaps, laughter in her voice.
I grab a towel and hand it to her.
“Have you seen him?”
I take a deep breath. “Do you want an ice cream? I made an orange creamsicle flavor since the cupcakes are so popular.”
“Yes, I want an ice cream, but I also want you to talk to me. I know you’ve been avoiding me.”
I know she’s not going to let it go, especially since she’s brought it up twice already, in the span of two minutes.
“I’m not doing it on purpose.”
“Have you been avoiding Cash as well? And before you lie, just know that I saw you over here during the entire competition.”
“I wanted to make sure my booth looked nice.”
“Your booth always looks nice. The best booth in town.” She leans a little closer. “But don’t tell Ruth I said that because she’ll lie out of spite and tell me she’s out of hand-pies.”
“She can be mean at times,” I say, even though it won’t deter her.
“They did better this year. They still lost, but it wasn’t by such a large margin.”
I nod. I was keeping track of the competition through the Facebook page. Bobby John Prichard was updating it every couple of minutes while the mini-triathlon was taking place.
“I think they should’ve spiced it up. I saw online that some of these cops and firefighter competitions do more of a strong-man thing. Or even a boxing match. I think Cash would’ve won if they did that. He seems like he’s got a lot of aggression he needs to channel.”
