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“Why don’t you go wash your face. I vote for us getting something to eat. I want out of this room, and I haven’t eaten since we left LA. Since we’re not in Jasper Creek, we can at least go outside.”
“Deal.”
While Sophie went into the bathroom I looked down at my phone for the fortieth time, and saw I had a text from Angelica.
ANGELICA: How are you holding up? The orchard isn’t any fun without the twins.
“Are you ready to go?”
I looked up at Sophie. “Shit.”
“What?” she asked.
“Simon checked us in with some false credit cards. I have my wallet, but I don’t have much cash with me. How about you?”
“I’m a starving actress, I’m broke,” Sophie admitted. She went over to her purse and pulled out her wallet. She winced. “Four dollars.”
I looked in my wallet and came up with twelve. “Sixteen dollars will cover something at a convenience store. It won’t be great, but it’ll be food.”
“A convenience store hotdog is cheap, we’ll be fine,” Sophie assured me.
“You’re kidding me, right? I don’t want a case of botulism.”
“The big gulp will counteract the poisons from the dog. Come on let’s go. I want out of here too. We can’t use all of our money, we’re going to need some for a vending machine dinner.”
“I still have coins at the bottom of my purse, so we’re covered. I’m ready.”
I followed Sophie out of the room as I texted Angelica back.
KIT: Holding up okay. Can’t wait for this to be over with.
ANGELICA: Jase and Code will take care of everything. Hold on. You’ll see.
Sophie held the door open for the elevator, and I followed her in. When we made it down to the front desk, we asked if there was a convenience store nearby. The clerk gave us a funny look, then said there was one connected to a gas station three blocks east.
We thanked her, and headed out. It was hot out, and by the time we got to the shop, we were both thankful for the air conditioning when we got inside. We bought two hot dogs and two Big Gulps, I splurged and made mine full of sugar. I deserved it. Hell, I needed it. I snagged a candy bar and Sophie grabbed Twinkies. I still had to grab some of my change from the bottom of my purse to cover the tab. After I paid, I turned from the cash register to find a seat and was confronted by three teenage girls who were all holding up their phones.
Aw shit!
“Kit! Can we get pictures with you?” they all shouted at once. I would bet anything it was the woman at the motel who had squealed.
“I’ll take group shots with all of you with Ms. Lord, as long as you promise not to post until tomorrow. Will you do that?” Sophie asked the group of girls.
Damn, she was good.
“Yes,” they shouted. They all grouped around me, jostling my ice cream. But Sophie grabbed it and put it back up on the counter.
A young couple watched what was going on, as Sophie snapped pictures. I saw them pull out their phones. I snagged my sundae, grabbed Sophie’s hand, and we beat a hasty retreat back to the motel. When we got to the reception desk, three women were standing there waiting to get their pictures taken with me. Sophie again made them promise not to post anything until tomorrow.
As soon as we got up to our room, I called Code, but it went to voicemail. I told him my concern, but it was too late to do anything about it now.
