Page 9 of Barry

“Then that’s what we’re going to do. Any questions?”

Barry couldn’t fight the smile that hit his face. “No, sir.”

Andrew spun on his heel and headed out of the bunk room. Barry glanced down at Honey, who was wagging her tail so hard her butt was moving, too. “Come on, girl.” He needed to get into his room before anyone came out. He didn’t want to talk about the shit he’d told Andrew, and ranch hands gossiped way too much for his liking, but fuck it. He didn’t care who knew how screwed up he was. Most of them already had an opinion about that anyway.

CHAPTER 4

Kathy parked her truck in front of the diner and hopped out. It was her turn to bring something for the teachers’ break room, and she’d spent all evening cutting out the needed shapes for her quilt. So, a box of Gen’s cinnamon rolls was in order.

She walked in and waved at Edna Michaelson and her little tribe of ladies. Other locals were eating, and she acknowledged those who waved or nodded. Ciera came out of the kitchen with a huge smile on her face. “I don’t get to see much of you. What can I get you?”

“A big box of cinnamon rolls? I need at least a dozen,” Kathy said, sitting down at the nearly vacant bar by the coffee trolley.

“Hungry?” Ciera laughed.

“Yes, but one will fill me up all day. It’s my turn tosupply the goodies for our teacher workdays now that school is out for the summer.”

“Cody was thrilled about that. He and Craig Johnson have the entire summer planned out. I have a feeling I’m going to need my official taxi license. Hold tight, and let me get those rolls for you. Help yourself to some coffee,” Ciera said over her shoulder as she turned and headed into the kitchen.

“Don’t mind if I do,” Kathy chirped and went to the silver cart that held the coffee urn, cups, and fixings. She added two pumps of cream and a sugar packet to her mug before pouring the steaming hot coffee into the mug. She took a sip and turned around to see Edna motioning to her. It took all of her strength not to groan out loud. She’d been avoiding Edna as much as possible. The woman had a way of pushing her way into a person’s business.

Edna moved over as she headed to the back corner booth. “Kathy, we haven’t seen you in months.”

“I’ve been busy, the end of the school year and all.” She sat down and hoped Ciera could box those rolls quickly.

“I expect, but I wanted your opinion on something.” Edna looked around and lowered her voice. “No one needs to know about this, understand?”

Not in the slightest.“Sure.”

Edna glanced around again and pulled a five-by-seven photo out from her purse. “Keep it low,” Edna said when she gave it to Kathy. “You’re educated. Tell me what that looks like to you.”

Kathy stared at the picture. “Is this real?” She looked at Edna. “Are you playing games with me?”

“No.” Edna took the picture back and slid it into her purse. “What did it look like to you?”

“Ah …” Kathy shook her head. The thing was shaped like a man … kind of, but it was covered in fur or something. It was a little blurry as if the camera had clicked as the thing was going past it. It looked like those horrible pictures of Bigfoot people made memes of, but knowing Edna’s obsession with the myth, she paused and finally settled on: “A man in a fur suit?”

Edna narrowed her eyes. “Look again.” She pulled out the picture after glancing around the diner. Kathy looked down and tilted the picture to get better lighting. She pointed at something on the far side of the figure. “What’s that?”

Edna looked down. “Best as we can figure, it’s carrying a stick.”

“Mighty straight stick.” The line in front of the figure's thigh looked like a pipe or something. “I don’t know, Edna. I know what you want me to say, but there’s no such thing as a Bigfoot.”

Edna took the picture back and shoved it in her purse again. “Seems like I have evidence to the contrary. Now, you don’t go telling anyone about this. The last time I had photographic evidence, it up and disappeared. I know where this thing lives now. I’m going to get more pictures before we say anything. Right, girls?”

Belinda and Doris nodded in unison. “Good intentions aren’t going to stop us this time,” Doris said.

“Here you go, Kathy.” Ciera put the box on the counter.

“Be right there,” Kathy said before turning back to Edna. “There’s no such thing as a Bigfoot, Edna. There’s a rational reason for this picture.”

The woman’s eyebrows rose regally, and she asked, “Oh, really? Then what is it?”

Kathy opened her mouth and then closed it. Her first bet was someone was playing a trick on Edna. “Does anyone know where that camera is?”

“No,” Edna said immediately and then paused. “Kate knows the general location, but I’m the only one who knows where it is.”

“Kate Johnson, I mean Wells?”

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