Concealed Hearts (Hometown Jasper #4) - Nicky James Page 0,72
U-turn to follow him. I had a nagging suspicion Ben’s crew might pop up around the next bend and cause trouble.
They didn’t, and once Felix was a safe enough distance away and close to home, I abandoned his tail, cursing myself for being so suspicious.
* * *
The town meeting took place in the community center, a spacious room lined with folding chairs in crooked rows and a podium up front where Mayor Croucher would go through his agenda with the speed of someone who’d been at it a lot of years.
The turnout for the monthly meetings was surprising. During the summer months, we pulled in a hundred people or more. Winter had a tendency to keep people home, and numbers dwindled by half.
Tonight, the hall was packed. People mingled and chatted before the meeting was called to order. Scanning, I noted a lot of familiar faces of small business owners from around town. Nally from the bakery, Oleksiy from the used bookstore, the woman who I thought was Melody from the craft store—a ripple of unease reminded me of the office pool—Silvia from the fancy clothing store, and Josiah and Jordie both representing Jasper Times, both with their phones out, ready to record or take notes for the paper. My gaze settled on David, the owner of the electronics store in town, and Tomi’s father. He wasn’t alone. He was chatting with Shay, who’d probably come with Josiah.
I scanned, not surprised when I didn’t see Tomi. He wouldn’t be caught dead in a place so public.
When I saw Belinda and her daughter, Kelsey, near the front of the room, talking with a group of people I knew worked for the town, I slipped out of sight and pulled out my phone, hoping to look distracted so she wouldn’t bother me. Ensuring no one was watching, I typed a quick message to Tomi.
Windsor: How’s your evening looking?
My fat thumbs made me slow, and I had to correct a few words before hitting send.
Tomi: Town is dead quiet right now. Everyone must be at the center. Thought I’d meet you at the cabin. I can slip away now, and I doubt I’ll be seen.
I smiled and poked at my phone again, slow and steady as I confirmed our plans.
Windsor: Should I grab drinks? Wine? Beer?
Tomi: The liquor store will be closed before you’re done. I think we can survive without for a night.
“Hey, Chief.”
I startled, almost dropping my phone. A shot of fear climbed my spine, raising the hairs along my neck. I had a horribly guilty conscience.
“Shay. Hi. How are you?” I cleared my throat and made an effort to looked nonchalant as I returned my phone to my pocket. I tapped my temple. “How’s the head treating you?”
The last I’d heard, he’d never fully recovered from his bout of amnesia.
Shay shrugged. “Meh, still foggy. It doesn’t bother me as much anymore. I’m getting over it, and I’ve come to terms with the fact that my memories probably won’t come back.”
“What’s the doctor say?”
Shay laughed and shook his head. “He doesn’t have a clue, but he’s adamant I shouldn’t bang my head again too soon.”
“Still under restrictions?”
“So, so many.” He emphasized those two words with a whine.
We shared a laugh.
Shay studied me a long moment, and it made me uneasy. I wasn’t sure what he was looking for, but it felt invasive.
“So, did you hear Tomi’s in town?”
Act shocked.
I flinched. “Oh, wow. Is he? How come? I thought he was adamant he was never returning.”
“Yeah, it’s suspicious.” He kept staring like I was a puzzle to solve. “Thought you’d like to know. You two seemed to hit it off. He could use a friend.”
Instinct wanted me to deny our connection, but that would have been obvious and suspicious. “Maybe I’ll see him around.”
“Maybe. You should give him a call. I can pass on his number if you want.”
My phone chimed twice in a row, and I stiffened, trying not to outwardly react. It wasn’t like Shay could know that I already had Tomi’s number and was actively speaking with him.
More than speaking. We were actively sleeping together and had developed something akin to a relationship.
My phone chimed again.
“I’ll let you get that.” Shay winked and sauntered away.
I waited until he was beside Josiah and engaged before tearing my phone from my pocket and checking Tomi’s texts.
He’d sent a few pictures of wine taken at the liquor store in town. He was out shopping. A good time for it since it would