Page 55 of The Fixer and the Fugitive

“I recognize you,” Celeste called.

The boy and girl froze and glanced at each other.

“You’re Maybe’s son,” Celeste continued.

The boy, Jack, pointed to his chest. “Me? I’m the one you recognize?”

“Yes. You look exactly like your mother, except taller. It’s uncanny.”

“Do you recognize her?” he asked, pointing to the girl. Celeste gave her a once over. She was pretty in that unique way that made everyone do a second look, but her face didn’t look familiar.

“Sorry, no. I don’t think we’ve met. I’m Celeste.”

“I’m Jack,” he said. He slid an arm around the girl and cinched her against him. “This is Mare, my neighbor, best friend, lamp post, and all around light of my life.”

“I see what you did there,” Mare said, giving his chest an affectionate pat. To Celeste she called, “It’s so nice to meet you. My dad has told me a lot about you.”

Maybe that was why they expected Celeste to recognize her; she had apparently met the girl’s father. “Oh, who is your dad?”

“Fletcher Reed,” Mare said, tensing as if for some sort of reaction. Poor girl. It couldn’t be easy to be the daughter of the town eccentric. Celeste tried not to let the pity come through in her tone when she replied.

“Right, yes. We’ve met a couple of times.”

“Yes, he told me. He told everyone,” Mare said, now sounding amused.

“Okay,” Celeste drawled and Jack choked back a laugh before composing his features.

“My mom said you have some equipment that’s giving you a bit of trouble,” he said.

“Yes, but only if it’s no trouble for you to look at it,” she said, still feeling uncertain over the imposition.

“I’d love to take a look. I have a bit of downtime while Mare is…” he paused and glanced down at Mare who shook her head imperceptibly, warning him away from whatever he was about to say. “…doing what Mare does. I’ve always admired this place. Anything I can do to get it up and running would be a bonus.”

“Great,” Celeste said. She motioned to Sam. “This is Sam.”

“I’m not sure there’s a lot left to do,” Sam said. “I took a look at all the machinery this morning and tightened a bolt. That probably fixed it. I mean, it didn’t when I tried it, but there’s probably some sort of delayed effect that will only take place after you try your hand at it a few hours.”

“I’ll make sure and give you the credit,” Jack said and Celeste knew right then she liked him. He was a decidedly gorgeous boy, tall and sandy blond with piercing blue eyes, a good counterpart to Mare’s exotic beauty. But there was no conceit in him. He appeared as humble and hardworking as Celeste guessed he might be, after meeting Maybe and Baird.

They walked together to the barn, Sam and Celeste in the lead, Mare and Jack bringing up the rear.

“This place is so great,” Mare exclaimed. “I can’t believe I lived here my whole life and never knew it existed.”

“My mom brought us here once,” Jack said, looking around the interior of the barn with a fond smile. “Actually she got lost here once and my sisters and I spent a few hours pretending we ran the place.”

“Was Tansy the one in charge?” Mare guessed.

“No, actually that time it was Caldwell. It was her birthday so Tansy threw her a bone.”

“Caldwell is your sister?” Celeste exclaimed.

“One of them,” Jack returned. “I take it you’ve met her. Do you have a pet?” He looked around a if a horse or llama might suddenly appear.

“No, but, um…” Celeste glanced at Sam for a rescue.

“Her husband married our friends yesterday, sort of an impromptu wedding. They’re nice people, Caldwell and Mitch,” Sam said.

“Yes, they are,” Jack agreed, but the words trailed away as he caught sight of the machinery he’d been dispatched to inspect. He began to roll his sleeves up, already calculating where to begin.

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