Page 98 of Hidden Truths

“Sixteen,” she says, looking at Kai suspiciously.

“Don’t mind Ethan,” I say quickly. “He got into an accident. We’re trying to get his memories back.”

“An accident? Oh goodness! What happened?” Joseph asks.

“He, uh, skied into a wall,” I blurt.

“A wall?” Fiona asks, not believing me for a second. I can see it in her eyes.

“Yeah. He dodged a tree and hit a wall,” Belle adds. “Anyway, we’re trying to make stops at all of his old haunts to try to jog more memories.”

“Oh dear! Come come. Have a seat and we can talk,” Joseph says, ushering us to a small table by the bakery case. Once we’re all seated, he folds his hands and sets his eyes on Kai.

“You came to live here about,” Joseph taps his chin as he thinks, “I’d say at least six years ago.”

That tracks with the timeline. Maybe this is the first stop Ezra made.

“You seemed terrified of something. I never did find out what, but you were asking for a job and a place to stay. So I set you up with a job here and let you stay in the apartment upstairs.”

“That was very kind of you,” Kai says, clearing his throat.

“You were the best worker I’ve ever had. Don’t tell my granddaughter,” Joseph says in a whisper loud enough for Fiona to hear. She rolls her eyes and then continues her suspicious looks at Kai.

“When did he leave? Do you know where he went after?” I ask.

“You became close with a boy from a neighboring town. I don’t remember which one. Our town is a through town, you understand. Lots of folks come through here and a lot of them are regulars, but they don’t live here.” Belle pales at his words. Sure, Ezra could have become close as friends with another guy, but there’s a chance it was more and that would break Maverick.

“Do you remember his name?” Kai asks.

“You really don’t remember?” Fiona asks, not hiding her suspicion from her voice.

Kai meets her eyes and shakes his head.

“I don’t remember. He played a sport, I think. So he came through here more often, going to and from games,” Joseph says, tapping his chin some more as he thinks.

“Ethan,” Fiona says, making it clear that she absolutely does not believe that Kai is Ethan, “left town four years ago, and we haven’t heard from him since.”

“Well, duh. He can’t remember you,” Cal says, and I snort.

“Who are you to him?” Fiona asks. I like her, even if she’s not on our side right now.

“His best friend,” Cal says proudly.

“You punched me in the face a week ago!” Kai argues.

“You kept talking about banging my sister!” Cal shouts.

Joseph looks utterly shocked, but Fiona leans forward, suddenly more interested.

I roll my eyes and Belle smacks the table with her hand. “You two need to stop.”

“You’re my sister! I didn’t object to you two dating because I can see how happy you are together. And I know he’ll treat you like you deserve, but I refuse to be told you have naked time together,” Cal says, crossing his arms and leaning back in his chair.

I laugh even though I try not to. So does Fiona.

“I changed my mind. I like you guys. Even you, fake Ethan.”

“That’s mighty rude, Fiona,” Joseph chastises.

---