Hold Me Close (Ryker Falls #5) - Wendy Vella Page 0,6
almost don’t want to know.”
“FTP stands for functional threshold power, apparently,” Joe added.
“Of course it does.” Fin shook his head.
They were in their fifties and up from what he could make out and looked as fit as Mr. Goldhirsh but came in different shapes. Fin shook hands as he was introduced. They had the same look in their eyes as Mr. Goldhirsh, that spark healthy people tended to carry about with them.
“My tire pressure is not right. You guys go and order, I’ll be there soon,” someone said. Fin thought it was B-Rocca but couldn’t be sure.
“Need any help?” Fin asked.
“They’re pretty protective of their bikes, Fin. You go on inside now and get out of the cold,” Mr. Goldhirsh said like it was Fin who was heading toward seventy. “They don’t let just anyone tinker with their toys.”
“Did that sound kinky to you?” he asked Joe.
“More than.”
Pushing open the door to Tea Total, Fin took a deep breath and inhaled coffee and baking. Warmth settled around him like his favorite blanket.
The place was owned by the Robbins sisters, Miss Marla and Miss Sara. They’d taught most of the kids in this town at school and could still put them in their place when required. In business with them was their niece, Mandy. The place had been extended recently to include another room for selling books and more tables. There was a kids’ corner, and Mandy or whoever was handy read them books every few days.
“Oh my, look at that sight.” Fin smiled as Miss Marla tottered forward in heels. They were rarely without them unless exercising or there was ice on the streets, and even then they could manage it. The sisters had gray hair and dressed each day like the queen was paying a call. In fact, he’d never seen them look anything but classy.
“She’s not talking about us. It’s the cycling men. Clearly, she has a thing for spandex,” Joe said. He then pushed the stroller to the side and lifted his son out.
“I’m not sure if I’m insulted or pleased.” Fin took the boy from his daddy. Miss Marla hurried to seat the cyclists, and Fin tried not to be put out that he wasn’t getting that attention. “Clearly we’re losing our edge.”
“Hey, Fin, you doing okay? I heard about what you found up on the mountain.”
Mandy Robbins was behind the coffee machine. Her brown hair pulled back in a tail, she wore a dress in deep emerald green. Her brown eyes were smiling. She did that a lot these days, and he had to say it suited her. Once, she’d been shy and timid, scared of her own shadow, but no more.
“Thanks, Mandy, I’m doing okay. Where’s that loser you date?”
“Jealousy is ugly in a man, especially as I have something you want.” Ted Hosking appeared through a door. The man owned the tourist lodge in town. He and Mandy were a couple, and both of them had changed because of it. Ted had softened, at least with Mandy, and she’d got stronger.
He was a man who wore power well. Big, strong, he was one of the shrewdest businessmen Fin knew.
“True that. So, your hair looks good, Ted.”
He laughed. “I said I’d sell you that land. No need to grovel, Fin Finds A Femur.”
Ted was cutting up some of the Falls Lodge land, and Fin was buying a piece. He’d build his home there, and then his roots would be bound to this place.
“Not you too,” Fin muttered.
“I’m sure in, say, ten years, that will get old.” Ted slapped him on the back.
“Maggie’s back,” Joe said.
“What? When?” Mandy stepped out from behind the counter. “No one knew she was coming, did they?”
“Bailey didn’t know.”
“Weird,” Ted said, slipping his hand around Mandy’s waist. He then leaned down and kissed her cheek.
“Really weird,” Fin added. “She looked off too.”
“Off how?”
“Just off,” he said to Mandy.
“She’s just arrived, so maybe she was tired?” Mandy frowned.
“Sure, I guess.”
“Sit; we’ll bring coffee.”
“And scones. You got any lemon and blueberry ones?” Joe asked.
“I have to serve them too?” Ted looked disgusted.
“They are paying customers.” Mandy patted his cheek, and the look on his friend’s face made him gag.
“You are so whipped.” Fin walked away, disgusted.
“And you’re jealous.”
True that.
“Find any more bones?”
“Day’s young, Ted.”
“So, Fin, you want to come out for a spin with us?” Mr. Goldhirsh said. He and his buddies were seated at the next table. “It would be a good distraction after what you found.”