Page 83 of Sundown Somewhere

Bingo…

A light bulb goes off, the little ding pinging in my brain right along with it. This isn’t about Hux. Or about whatever it is he wants to build. I’d bet it’s barely even about Ewan.

Nope. This is about Maisey.

Stepping forward, I rest my hands on the counter. I don’t know whether or not I should be proud that my cousin is causing trouble from the other side of the world that she doesn’t even know about.

“The Booby Trap was Maisey’s idea,” I say, softening my voice, making sure he hears the understanding in it.

Seth whips his head up, eyes wide. He wasn’t expecting that answer. His eyes search mine, and I nod, smiling gently.

“Couldn’t be. He didn’t buy it until after she left.”

I sigh, trying to figure out how to explain this. The last thing I want to do is contribute to the rumor mill, putting this story out there. But he needs to know the truth. And if it helps get Hux his approval, I’m sure Ewan won’t mind.

I’ll also beg forgiveness via some chicken and dumplings.

“The summer in between high school and college, Ewan competed in some big deep sea fishing tournament down in Miami. A bunch of us went down to support him and have a little fun in the sun, so one night we’re looking for a place to go to dinner and we pass what is very clearly a strip joint, big neon flashing sign, called the Booby Trap.”

“Exactly my point.”

I hold up my hand, telling him to hold on. “Hux and I immediately laughed, because on top of it, the building had these two spherical shapes with nubs on the domes. But Maisey, she took one look at it and went ‘that’s a dumb name for a strip joint. It would make a lot more sense as a hunting store.’ By the time we’d finished dinner, she’d basically laid out an entire store full of hunting, camping, and fishing gear, and was well on her way to creating a business plan for it as well. She figured she would get everyone in because of the name, then talk them into what they needed.”

I laugh, trying to imagine Maisey trying to sell anyone a gun. Girl could barely hold one.

“First thing Ewan did when he bought the shop was add on that addition, and then rearrange it to match the layout she’d sketched out at that dinner. She’s the reason that store is thriving.”

“Still didn’t bring her back.”

“Nope…”

If I’m the family wild child, Maisey is the family free spirit. The one no one can tame. Ewan came close, I think. That’s part of why it still stings every time someone mentions her name.

“Seth, you can’t hold it against Ewan, or the rest of his family, that Maisey left.” I reach out, resting my hand on his. “In the words of Patrick Swayze, she’s like the wind, that one. And yes, Ewan bought your grandfather’s shop and gave it a semi ridiculous name, but he’s kept it open and made it thrive and honors his legacy in a lot of ways. All of which, by the way, has nothing to do with Hux’s request.”

He glares at me, his nostrils flaring as he exhales roughly. “Do I get my cinnamon rolls if I agree to change my vote?”

Standing up straight, I pretend to think about it for a moment. Truthfully, I’m trying to figure out how much I trust him. Dirty little bird did try and withhold town funding because he was butthurt over a girl.

“Prove to me that you’re going to walk in to tomorrow morning’s meeting and reverse the decision, and yes.”

In the blink of an eye Seth has his phone in his hands, thumbs flying across the screen. I do a double take, not sure I’ve ever seen anyone move that fast, even the teenagers who stumble in on weekends and barely look up from their devices. Next thing I know, he’s turning the screen around to show me his sent text to Mayor Barbour expressing his desire to revote on the Hayes proposal as tomorrow morning’s first agenda item.

My heart leaps, the rest of me feeling as light as the meringue on one of Alice’s pies. We did it. Hux is going to get his money. Project stars or whatever it is will be full steam ahead as of noon tomorrow. I can’t wait to tell him.

No. I need to keep this to myself. Let him get the call from the mayor or whomever himself. I’ll see him tomorrow afternoon anyway, so I’ll let him tell me then. Keeping this to myself might be the hardest thing I’ve ever done though.

“Let me get you those rolls.”

22

HUX

“I’ve always wanted to do one of these.”

“This is your first?”

My pulse stutters, worry creeping up my spine like kudzu through the woods. What did I get us into?