She runs off and I watch as she rushes into the arms of the blonde and another girl with ashy hair. They all look so happy to see each other, and I’m glad. The last year she spent at Knox Harbor High was rough. She was depressed and missing her daddy something fierce. Today, all signs of that sad girl are absent, and I couldn’t be happier.
“Alyssa, dear, how are you enjoying the festival?” Nan Jenkins strolls up wearing a bright red suit with gaudy gold buttons. Her hair is pulled into a tight French twist, putting her overly Botoxed forehead on full display.
“It’s incredible,” I say, glancing around, taking it all in. “Just like every year.” She does her own sweep of the area, pride shining brightly on her faux-tan face. The woman missed the memo on graceful aging.
“You and the rest of the committee always knock it out of the park.”
She beams, grabbing my hands in hers. “You should really join us next year. We could use some fresh ideas.”
We both know she doesn’t mean it. Women like Nan Jenkins don’t like new ideas. They’re set in their ways, constantly insisting on tradition.
A few younger residents in town have attempted to join the committee in the past and were run off. The only person I know who’s ever gone head-to-head with them and come out alive is Lanie. And that’s because she just doesn’t care about ruffling feathers. In fact, I think she gets some sick pleasure out of it.
“I’ll think about it,” I lie. Otherwise, Nan will sit here and tell me all the reasons why I should reconsider.
“Sorry to rush off, but word has it that the hunky detective just took the ladder.”
I have literally no idea what that means, and she must see the look on my face, because she doesn’t leave me on tenterhooks.
“Nick West is up at the dunk tank.” She leans in conspiratorially, glancing around to ensure she’s not overheard. “That man without a shirt is a sight to behold. I’ll hold the memory in my mind for the rest of the year.”
It takes everything in me not to react to those words. The laughter bubbles up in my chest and I stuff it down. Nobody laughsat Nan Jenkins and lives to show their face in town again. She’s known for causing scenes.
“Have fun,” I reply, but she’s already well on her way to join all the other thirsty women vying for a peek at Nick West’s perfection.
I will not be one of them, especially after last night.
“I wondered when you were going to get here,” Lanie says, sliding up next to me and bumping my hip with hers.
“Ava only got into town forty-five minutes ago. She wanted to jump right in the car as soon as she pulled into the driveway, but I refused. I’m not going to share her without getting at least ten minutes of her to myself.”
“Did you sleep all right? I was worried leaving you alone.”
I wave a hand. “I was fine. Until Nick about scared the hair off my head, almost kissed me, and then proceeded to lecture me on my sleuthing.”
She lifts both hands out in front of her. “Whoa. Slow down and spill the details.”
I tell her the shortened version and watch as her face contorts from giddiness to anger.
“You gave him solid proof. How dare he. I’ll kick his ass next time I see him.”
I chuckle. “That won’t be necessary. I won’t be involving him in any of this, and hopefully we’ll go back to the way things were. Two neighbors who almost had a thing but missed the opportunity.”
It’s not what I want, but how can things be any different? If he can’t believe that I communicate with the dead, it will be hard to progress into anything more than neighbors.
Lanie doesn’t appear to be listening anymore. Her eyes are trained on something in the distance. I can’t make out what has her so enthralled.
“Let’s go,” she says, linking my arm with hers and pulling me forward.
At five feet eleven inches, Lanie and her praying mantis legs make it darn near impossible for me to keep up. I’m practically falling over as I futilely attempt to anchor my feet in my sandals, trying desperately not to lose one in the process.
“Hold up, Lanie. Why are you in such a hurry?”
“We’re going to miss it,” she practically screeches directly into my ear. “And today of all days, he’s getting his comeuppance.”
Up ahead there’s a wall of women, and I don’t even have to see what’s on the other side. A crowd of mostly female gawkers can only mean one thing. Nick West is shirtless and dripping wet.
Lord have mercy. What is Lanie up to?
