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“So, what you’re doing here is different.”
“A lot, yeah. But I like it. I’ve enjoyed getting to know my customers. I think I know most everyone in town now.”
“It doesn’t take long around here. Especially if you sell something they want.”
“I make about half the money I was making in California. And that was splitting it with my brother. So, more like a quarter. But it’s fine. The cost of living is pretty low around here. There’s not much to spend your money on.”
“Will you tell me what happened to your brother and his wife?”
He was quiet for a few moments. “Car accident. Drunk driver going the wrong way on a one-way street. They never had a chance.”
“I’m so sorry.”
“The only small consolation is the guy’s in prison. But he’s alive and they’re not. So, that hardly seems fair.”
Sage put a hand on his arm. “It’s just tragic.”
“I took the kids in for the first month just until everything got sorted out. But it became obvious pretty quickly they really had nowhere else to go. I sold the bakery. I couldn’t work there without him. And I got a job as a pastry chef at a restaurant. Then my aunt asked if I’d cover for her for a month. That month turned into six. I’m still here and I own the place. Not really what I expected when I came.”
“I’m glad it worked out the way it did and that you’re sticking around.”
“You’re definitely stuck with me.” He looked at her for a moment, then got to his feet. “I should go check on the kids.”
“Have a good night, Xander.”
He nodded, then headed for his tent.
Sage sighed. “My goodness.” When someone came up behind her and grabbed her shoulders, she jumped and turned around.
J.T. laughed. “Are you afraid of theMudjimushkeeki?”
She shoved him. “You scared the crap out of me.”
He sat in the chair Xander vacated. “What are you doing out here all alone?”
“Everyone went to bed. I was getting ready to put out the fire.”
“You’ve done quite well as camp leader.”
“Thank you.”
“You just need to get everyone home in one piece tomorrow.”
She shook her head. “Don’t jinx it.”
He smiled. “Everything will be fine. Just like today.”
“Thanks for bailing on the singing and s’mores.”
“There were s’mores? Dammit. I might’ve stuck around if I’d known that.”
“Where did you and Joey go? And what have you been doing all this time?”
“Talking.”
Sage laughed. “Hmm. Why don’t I believe that?”
“Believe what you want. What were you and the bakery guy talking about?”
