Page 25 of A Little Naughty

She doesn’t miss a beat. “I was doing some research earlier today, and did you know a pig is as smart as a three-year-old child?”

“I can believe it.” Those fuckers know when I’m coming now, and they hide.

“They’re smarter than dogs, and a female hog can have a litter of three to four piglets every four months!”

“Shit.” I take a sip of my beer. “No wonder they’re everywhere.”

She sips her margarita, tilting her head to the side. “You really are a problem solver, Mr. Jones.”

“Yeah, but I’ve got to do some research first.” I lean back in the booth, turning a quarter between my fingers. “If my idea was that easy, somebody would’ve done it already. I have a feeling there must be a hitch.”

“I can help you find out. I’ve got time, and I like doing research.” She reaches over and taps her phone face. “We can stop there for now.”

“That’s it?”

“No.” She shakes her head like I should know better. “We’ll talk more when we’ve got more answers and I’ve got better questions.”

“Okay.” But I’m not ready to let her go yet.

Mexican music drifts through the sound system, and I remember how she sang that night Adam Stone proposed to Piper. She has a great voice, and I wonder if she’ll go somewhere like Nashville next.

I watch her trace her finger around the lip of her glass then lick the salt off her finger. Her lips are so full, I want to pull one between my teeth like a juicy berry.

Blue eyes land on mine, and I think it’s only fair to interview her. “How long are you planning to stay in Eureka?”

She exhales a sigh. “Forever, I hope. When I was a little girl, I always dreamed of living here.”

“Why didn’t you?”

“My mom wanted me with her in Branson. At least that’s what she said.” She shifts in her seat, her smile darkening. “Then she left me alone all the time in a hotel room.”

I don’t like the sound of that, and I definitely don’t like the shadow that crosses her face. I try to steer us back to the light. “Why Eureka?”

She shrugs. “My sister was here, and back then, when people would discover something great, they’d always yell,Eureka!I guess I thought it had magical powers or something.” Her face turns pink. “I guess that’s pretty stupid.”

“I don’t know.”

She’s embarrassed, maybe a little defensive, but her willingness to share a memory like that makes my stomach twist. It’s like she’s asking for something, and I want to give it to her.

I want to make her childish dream come true, even if it’s silly.

Glancing out the window, I notice the sun dropping lower in the sky, and it gives me an idea.

I slide out of the booth and hold my hand to her. “Come with me.” She frowns, hesitating, and I shake it. “Come on.”

Her lips press together just before a smile lifts her cheeks. “Okay!”

She hops out of the booth, leaving her half-drunk margarita behind and taking my hand. I don’t let go as we hustle up the street the way we came, but it’s taking too long to get to my bike. I’m worried we’re going to miss it.

“Stay right here.” I hold up both palms then take off at a sprint to Martha’s place, wondering why I didn’t park at the paper office.

The minute I get to the carriage house, I hop on my bike, kicking the starter. I don’t like disturbing the peace on this pristine lane, but tonight I’ve got other things on my mind besides the comfort of old people.

I wheel out of Martha’s driveway in the roar of an engine and zip up to where Jemima now stands with her eyes wide and her lips parted.

“Are you serious?” It’s practically a squeal, and she hops on the back of my bike before I even answer.

A low chuckle rumbles in my chest, and I grasp the handles, opening the throttle and roaring out of town, towards the old beach road in the direction of the ocean.

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