Hold Me Close (Ryker Falls #5) - Wendy Vella Page 0,25
kind of secret agent.
“Okay. Why do you want to discuss this scavenger hunt with me?”
“Well now, as the local ranger, it’s important you help us with setting the clues and mapping the course for the hunt.”
“Is it?” This was news to him. “I’ve never had anything to do with any you’ve run before.”
“It’s time” was all she said. “The committee will be in touch.”
“What exactly am I expected to do?”
“Scout out locations for clues and the course. I just told you that.” Her brows met in the middle.
“Right. You do realize it could possibly be snowing that day?”
“We are made of hardy stuff here! A little snow won’t upset anyone!”
“So the hunt is undertaken in couples?” It was a hunch, but he saw he’d hit his mark as she nodded.
“They will be tied together around their wrists.”
“Don’t you think all this is a bit extreme just to get more grandkids?” Fin wasn’t in the best of moods, so he just said what was on his mind—and what others refused to say to this woman.
“I beg your pardon?”
He’d hit his second mark accurately, because guilty color flooded her cheeks.
“Your daughters can find their own husbands, Mrs. Howard. Stop—”
“Fin, I need your help!”
Mrs. L waved at him from her shop a few feet away.
“Be right there, Mrs. L.”
“Now, Fin. It’s urgent!”
“Excuse me, Mrs. Howard.” He walked away, leaving the woman openmouthed and wordless for possibly the first time in her life. He found Mrs. L behind her counter after he’d managed to navigate his way through her shop.
“You have too much stuff in here.”
“I just saved your life. Don’t you insult my shop.” She blinked, and he saw her eyelashes had red feathers attached to them.
“How do you figure that?”
“That Mary Howard is mean if you get on her bad side, and you were heading that way. I saved you.”
Her red lipstick was disappearing up the lines around her mouth.
“I know her son; I’m safe.”
“Maybe, but you don’t want to put it to the test. Besides, I want to know about that femur.” She leaned two bony elbows on the counter, settling in for a chat.
“I don’t know anything about it other than it’s part of a leg.”
Her lips drew into a thin line.
“Honestly.” He raised both hands. “And it’s downright disturbing how comfortable this town is discussing it, considering it belongs to a body we haven’t found.”
“Oh, all right,” she snapped. “Now, I have something for you. You’ve had a tough time of things lately.”
“I’m fine. Nothing to worry about with me.” Maggie, however, now that’s another matter.
Fin headed out of the store minutes later with a mug in his hand. On the front were the words "My Favorite Big Guy.” Shaking his head, he made for Joe’s bar, desperate now for that beer.
Decorated to blend and not jar the senses, A.S. was a big space with a separate eating area. One wall was painted vivid jade, and the contrast to the natural colors worked, especially when you took in the black-and-white prints of actors hung in different sizes and shapes on it.
He found friends seated at the bar, a huge slab of wood another friend had found for Joe. Stained and polished, cups and glasses rested on it.
“Trainers and Howards.”
“Uncle Fin!”
On the last stool sat Grace. Sweet, cheeky, and someone Fin loved very much. Beside her was her cousin Benjamin.
“How’s my little people?” He kissed the top of Benjamin’s head, as he was eating fries and Fin knew from experience that food was important to the little guy. He then lifted Grace into his arms for a hug. Grace excelled at hugging.
With her wrapped around him like a monkey, he took her seat.
“You want lunch?” Joe asked.
“Yeah. Burger and fries would be good, and a beer.”
“I love Uncle Joe’s ice cream sundaes,” Grace said, smiling up at him in that way that usually got whatever she wanted.
“I’ll share with you then, sweetheart. We’ll get one after the burger.”
“Gracie, honey, you’ve already had one. I think that’s enough,” Dylan Howard said. Married to Pip, he’d been an FBI profiler in another life but had given that up to come here and be a builder. They now had two kids and were happy, which when you got right down to it, was what you wanted for your friends.
Fin winked at her, and she winked back, closing both eyes. Then got off his lap to debate the sundae issue with her daddy.
“You want your beer in that?” Joe pointed at the mug he