Hold Me Close (Ryker Falls #5) - Wendy Vella Page 0,5
called her, had a lined face that sucked lipstick up in the cracks. She owned a store in town that sold touristy stuff. Her Christmas sweaters were legendary. Today’s had Santa’s butt hanging out of a chimney with flashing lights on the front. Her shop window was crammed with decorations and knickknacks. In fact, it had so much stuff, he couldn’t see where one item started and the other finished.
“Just had them done. Why aren’t you both wearing your sweaters?”
“It’s in the wash, Ella puked on it,” Joe said quickly. “Where’s yours, Fin?” Joe smirked.
“I took it home to show my family, then left it there. I need to buy another one, Mrs. L,” he said, shooting his friend a smug look because he’d countered with ease.
“You come on in then, and I’ll get you sorted right now,” replied Mrs. L. Then blinked her glittery fake lashes so quickly, Fin was sure he felt the draft.
“I will tomorrow, Mrs. L. I need to eat something; I haven’t had time today.”
“To eat?”
Fin nodded, smiling sweetly.
“Well now, that’s just foolish, boy. You need your strength to do that job of yours. I’ll make up some of my meatloaf and get it to you tomorrow.”
“I’d be grateful. Cooking is not something I have time for.”
“Completely understandable.” She patted his hand. “You have important work to do.”
“I do important work,” Joe said, eyes narrowed as he looked at Fin.
“You run a bar,” Mrs. L said. “Fin keeps us safe.”
“I do what I can for the citizens of this town, Mrs. L.”
Joe made a choking sound.
“Oh, would you look at that boy. Hello, sweetie.” She bent to tickle Benjamin’s cheek.
The child withstood it, but he wasn’t happy about being touched by the painted lady.
“See you, Mrs. L. We’re heading to Tea Total,” Joe said. “It’s too cold out here for him.”
“Of course it is. You get along now, and you be sure to let me know who that femur belongs to.”
“That woman gets more outrageous every time I see her,” Fin muttered. “She says femur like it’s a lost wallet, and I’m just going to stumble across someone missing a thigh bone and go, hey, I think I have what you misplaced.”
“You know that shit is gonna wear thin one day, right? The seniors in this town are going to see through your pathetic, ‘I work harder than anyone else in town to keep you safe’ routine.”
“I have no idea what you mean.” Fin dug his hands deep in his pocket and came out with a roll of mints.
“You’ve been conning them for years. I’ve seen the dishes of food that arrive on your doorstep, ranger boy. It’s a scam, is what it is, and you should be ashamed of yourself.” Joe took the mint Fin offered him.
“I can’t help it if the town’s seniors love me more than you.”
“You’re a suck-up,” Joe muttered.
“Move it, boys!”
Fin turned at the words to find Mr. Goldhirsh on a bike heading for him. He mounted the curb and came to a stop in front of Tea Total, dismounting to lean his bike on the window.
“What the actual fuck is he doing?” Fin whispered to Joe.
“He hurt his leg. The doctor said he needed to take it easy.”
“Well, I have a spare femur if he needs one.”
Joe snorted.
“So this is him taking it easy?” Fin moved back, and other cyclists passed, stopping beside Mr. Goldhirsh.
“Hey there, Mr. Goldhirsh. Nice spandex,” Fin greeted the man. He wore a shirt with the words Ryker Wheelies on the front. Black, with green writing. He had a blue helmet, and on top was a flashing red light. Around his face was a red bandana, and he looked like a really cheerful bank robber. “Traded in your running shoes?”
“Change is a good thing, boy.”
Frederick Goldhirsh was the most fanatically fit person Fin knew. Older by many years, he never stopped and let the grass grow under his feet. The man had more energy than the average five-year-old. Married to Joe’s aunt Jess, he was a well-respected member of the Ryker Falls community.
“These are my cycling buddies,” Mr. Goldhirsh said.
“Already you have cycling buddies?”
“What can I say, people like me.” Mr. Goldhirsh flashed his white teeth. “This is B-Rocca, H-man, Mikey, AP, and Dazza.”
“He’s serious with those names?” Fin said out of the side of his mouth.
“Yup. They all came for dinner at the ranch last night after their cycle. Great bunch of guys, if a little obsessed about things like group sets and FTP.”