Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 91490 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 457(@200wpm)___ 366(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91490 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 457(@200wpm)___ 366(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
“It’s stopped dripping inside,” I say. “I bought a dehumidifier since the ceiling’s still a bit damp.”
“Mike, you’re going to have to come up here,” Beth says. “Rosey, has someone been up here today?”
“Up on the roof? I don’t think so. I’ve been working all day, so I haven’t been here, but who would have been up there?”
“Maybe the damage just isn’t visible,” Mike says, climbing the ladder.
“No, someone’s put a membrane up here and sealed it. Look.”
Both of them move out of sight, but the sound of their voices suggest they’re happy with what they find. Maybe I’ll be able to sleep back in my bedroom before I have to abandon this place for staff housing.
I hear a cell going off and Mike answers. “Yeah, we’re just here. Ohhh, that’s real good of you. I appreciate that. Can we pay—” He listens to whoever is on the end of the phone. “Yeah, we have buckets all through our house at the moment. We really need a new roof. Maybe we’ll get to it this year. Okay then. I might swing by with a pie for you later. Thanks, Byron.”
My heart skips in my chest at the mention of Byron’s name.
Mike and Beth descend from the roof, all smiles. “Your neighbor there sent some of his men down from the Club to fix the roof.”
“Byron?” I ask.
“Said he had a few construction guys who weren’t busy, so he directed them to fix the roof of the cabin,” Mike says.
Byron’s trying to launch the Colorado Club on time. I can’t imagine his construction team has a bunch of free time, especially after the storm. I wonder if Byron just saved Mike and Beth, or me. In reality, he saved all of us. Though I’m grateful, worry pulls in my chest. I don’t want a man who feels like it’s his job to save me.
Beth grins. “I told you. He was always the nicest guy in high school.”
“I don’t remember him,” Mike says. “He’s been away a long time.”
“You went to high school with him?” I ask Beth.
“A thousand years ago,” she says on a smile. “He had a rough time of it by all accounts, but you’d never know it. Nothing ever seemed to ruffle his feathers. He was always the sweetest.”
“Well, he’s saved us a few days’ work here,” Mike says. “And a bunch of money.”
“Which means that we can focus on our house,” Beth continues. “You should run a pie up to him later.” She turns to me. “Mike makes the best apple pie.”
“Don’t tell Nancy,” Mike says with a wink. “She’s the town cook. No one dares compete.”
I laugh. I’m going to have to get someone to point out Nancy to me.
“Did your home get badly damaged?” I ask.
“The roof leaks every time it rains,” Beth says. “We need to replace it. The tiles lift in the slightest breeze. It’s crazy.”
“We’ll see about it this year,” Mike says.
“You said that last year,” Beth says.
“Can I get you a coffee?” I ask. “You’re welcome to stay.”
“Thank you so much,” Beth says. “But we’d better get going. Will we see you at Grizzly’s tonight?”
I look at her blankly.
“Everyone goes to Grizzly’s after a storm,” Beth says.
“Why is that?” Mike asks. “I know we do it, but I’ve never thought about why. To celebrate not dying?”
Beth laughs. “I guess. It’s a way for the town to come together. Or something. And I want to hear the latest thing about those two government RVs in Valley Park. Donna and Marge said they were going over there to check them out. I want to know what they found.”
“There are three of them now,” Mike says.
“Three?” Beth asks.
“Apparently. That’s what Jim told me.”
“Someone’s screwing with us,” Beth says. “It’s either the government, or someone wants us to think it’s the government.”
“I think our government has enough to do without parking RVs in Star Falls,” Mike says.
“You know that. I know that. But Marge certainly doesn’t. She won’t rest until she knows who the hell’s in there.”
“I think Donna has it covered,” I interrupt. “I saw her in town earlier. She said she was going to knock on the door. But maybe she’ll have second thoughts, now that there are three of them.” I stop when I realize I’m getting sucked into this RV drama, when what I really need to do is sort my laundry.
“Let’s go,” Beth says. “What if something happens to Donna?”
Mike turns to me. “Wanna come?”
The warm feeling from earlier returns. It’s so nice to be asked. “Maybe later. I have a few chores to do. I can’t wait to see what these RVs are all about.”
“See you at Grizzly’s later!” Beth calls as she heads back to their truck.
The RVs are a bit odd. I add it to my mental list of things to ask Byron about. Maybe he’s organized them to be in town to house more construction workers?