Some Bright Someday (Maple Valley #2) - Melissa Tagg Page 0,45
wave before pouncing on Sam. “I need a loan, Sam. I left my wallet at home and—”
He interrupted her with a scoff. “Don’t tell me you’re actually participating in this nonsense.”
“Technically, I’m on the clock. Need to grab a few pics for next week’s paper. But yeah, I was totally planning to bid on a few guys ’til I left my wallet behind.”
Sam shook his head. “You ever stop to think about how bizarre this town really is? Doesn’t this auction break child labor laws?”
She let her camera bag drop to the grass and lifted her cup of steaming apple cider to her lips. “What’s got you so moody today?”
“Nothing. Tell me why you’re in the market for a football player.”
“Actually, I’m in the market for two or three. Maybe four. I’m going to put them to work in my attic.”
The idea had come to her late last night as she’d been thinking ahead to today’s schedule. She could bid on a few players and have them sort through boxes, pack up things like clothes and shoes and old home decorations. Maybe they could even haul everything to a thrift store. She’d tell them to set aside anything that looked like it might have sentimental value for her to pick through later.
A brilliant plan, if she did say so herself. But to pull it off she needed cash. “Please tell me you’ve got some money on you. I’ll pay you back ASAP. I’ve got my eye on the Meyer kid and oh, who’s number forty-two? He looks stocky and strong.”
Sam pulled out his wallet. “Has it ever occurred to you to just ask your friends to help? I do have days off now and then. And considering how much time you spent helping Mara and Marsh at the Everwood—”
She shook her head. “No way. Mara has already dropped off multiple meals this week. And Lucas practically lives in my backyard now.”
His expression turned to a scowl. “Yeah.”
Mayor Milt’s voice boomed through his megaphone from the band shell, where he was playing auctioneer like always. “What’s that look supposed to mean?”
“Nothing. How much do you need, anyway?”
“I don’t know. What’s a Saturday of work go for these days?”
Before Sam could answer, Leigh Pierce came ambling through the gathered crowd, her gaze set on Jenessa and one hand lifting in a wave. Sam thrust a couple of twenties in her hand, mumbled something about stopping at an ATM for whatever else she needed, and moved off.
She was still watching his retreat when Leigh reached her.
“I was hoping I’d run into you here, Jen. Ever since Tuesday . . .” She paused. “Something wrong?”
Sam disappeared behind the band shell and she shook her head. “I hope not.” But why had Sam seemed so weird today? His grumpiness was nothing unusual, but he’d stiffened at the mention of Lucas. Was something going on between them?
Maybe he was just annoyed that the pair of them had ditched him at the Everwood. But finding three kids in her cottage hadn’t exactly been planned. As for Lucas . . . she still didn’t know what had prompted him to offer to help with her yard or suggest moving into the cottage, but she was more grateful than ever that he had.
Leigh cupped her fingers around her cider. “I’ve been meaning to talk to you. Apologize for letting you get roped into the gala. The whole thing’s my fault, I’m afraid.”
Jenessa ducked her chin into her scarf. In these first days of October, the last warmth of an Indian summer had given way to the brisk chill of autumn. And she loved it. Loved the tinge of color—burgundy and orange and yellow—ornamenting the trees in the square and the seasonal wreaths on so many of the doors of the small-town businesses that wrapped around the square. Baskets filled with fall mums hung from the old-fashioned lampposts that dotted the downtown.
She loved how the feeling in the air hinted at change and a sparkling sort of newness.
Goodness knew her own life looked completely different today than it had just one week ago. But she’d found something of a rhythm in the past few days. She’d worked only a few hours at the office each morning. She had Paige to thank for that, and her little circle of friends for the fact that she hadn’t needed to bring the kids with her. Mara and Marshall had hung out at the house on Wednesday morning. Sam had stopped by on Thursday.