Page 25 of A Fowl Match

Subject: Important! Change of plans this Saturday

Dear Small Business Owners of Thornwood Valley,

I hope this email finds you well. There has been a change of plans for this Saturday's competition. Instead of the annual week three pie eating competition, we decided to change things up.

There have been complaints from almost every team about an unfair advantage. The folks that have been participating for many years know what to expect at each competition.This is a valid complaint, so we are doing something about it this year. Instead, there will be a treasure hunt. Each team will be given a total of four clues. You will search the town until every group finds the final treasure. Everyone is to meet at the picnic area between Dr. Newman’s office and Fix-Its at one p.m. TheString Cheesewill have a few tables set up with pizza and pepperoni rolls at noon if you’d like to show up early for a bite to eat.

Please email me with any questions or concerns you may have.

See you soon,

Constance

This is an interesting change of events. I sit back on the stool behind the cash register. I better let Dustin know. I’m sure he hasn’t checked his email, since he didn’t even know she was sending them in the first place.

VIOLET

Can you believe that email?

To my surprise, he answers almost immediately.

DUSTIN

What email?

VIOLET

Have you been getting any of the emails from Constance?

DUSTIN

No? We’ve been over this. How would she even get my email anyway?

VIOLET

We’re talking about Constance, of course she found your email.

I pocket my phone when Mr. Rhett, Dustin’s Grandfather, walks in and to the counter.

“Hi Violet. It’s nice to see you.” His warm smile lights up the room. He’s wearing a pair of jean overalls and work boots.

“Hi Mr. Rhett, what can I help you with?”

“Please call me George. I’d love to get a flower arrangement. I want to surprise Abigail with some for our anniversary tonight.”

“Of course. I’m sure she will be so glad to receive them. Do you have anything specific in mind?”

“She always loved roses. Especially white ones.”

“Perfect! I have some, I’ll grab them for you.” My phone buzzes in my pocket while I walk to the flowers stored in the center rack. I walk across them all looking for the rose section.

“How’s Dustin treating you?”

I stop and look up at him. I was definitely not expecting that.

“He’s been treating me well. We’ve been making a pretty great team.”

“He won’t stop talking about you. All I hear while I show him the ropes during the day is about you.”

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