Page 33 of Fast and Dirty

I’m just about to head back into the garage to rescue Jackson when the phone on the desk rings, buying me another couple minutes to sit back in my chair.

“Shane Auto,” I answer when I pick up.”

“Hi there,” the older man’s voice sounds perfectly polite and distinguished. “This is Theodore Wellington. I believe you have my Rolls Royce?”

14

KIRA

“You drive like an old lady,” Agnes complains from the passenger seat. Even behind her gargantuan sunglasses, her expression tells me she’s not amused.

I feel my shoulders slump as I cling to the steering wheel of her cute little Jeep. “What’s the point of letting me live with you in exchange forhelping you outif I’m not actuallydoinganything to help you out? At least let me drive on occasion, so you can sit back and relax.”

And let me try to replenish the minutes you’ve taken off my life when you’re behind the wheel.

“Peh!” she huffs out. “You help me plenty. You grab things from the top of the fridge.”

“Well, I would never want you to go without your afternoon highball,” I roll my head in her direction to give her an adoring look. “But otherwise, I feel like I just hang around with you.”

She shrugs nonchalantly. “Can’t that be enough? Companionship can be a valuable thing. My granddaughter Hattie wanted the role when she first moved back to town three months ago, but I told her hell no.”

“Why not? That could have been nice.”

Her head whips around to regard me like I just said the craziest thing in the world. “She’s still single! How the hell would she get me any great-grand babies if she’s living with her decrepit grandmother?”

“You’re not decrepit.” I roll my eyes.

“Of course she’s too busy getting her new business underway to think about finding a man. If it were left solely in the hands of her and Hunt, I’d never become a grama-ma. Thank whiskey for Harloe.”

“Hunt?” The name rings a bell. I met him the other night. “The contractor?” I ask for verification and she nods.

“Hattie’s cousin, and my miserable grandson. Both hell bent on staying single,” she huffs, dropping her head back. “I about fell off my barstool in a fit of joy when Harloe texted me she was getting married and wanted me to arrange the cake for her.”

“So where’s this bakery? I’ve been hearing their donuts are insane.” I change the subject. Maggie’s Muffins and More was also one of the places that had posted a help wanted flier. Two birds, one stone and all that.

“Take a left up here and we’re there,” Agnes gestures with her hand, still pouting.

I follow her directions and see the delightfully colorful sign in pinks and turquoise advertising the bakery and swing us neatly into a parking slot on the street. And then, looking over at Agnes, decide to throw her a bone by making sure I ram the trash can positioned next to a lamp post. She gives me a fond smile and we exit the vehicle.

Agnes takes my arm as we step up on the curb and the bells on the door of Maggie’s have an exceptionally delightful jangle when we enter.

The bakery is beautiful with more of the pastels boasted on the sign, a black and white checkered floor, and despite the air-conditioning, the smell of warm dough and sugar permeates the air like a magical spell.

“Hello Agnes,” a portly woman with dark hair and abeautiful smile greets as she dries her hand on a towel. I assume this is Maggie and I’m proven right in the next blink.

“Maggie,” Agnes responds, tilting her head towards me and giving my arm a squeeze before she lets go. “Meet my new roommate, Kira.”

I step forward and offer my hand. “Hi, it’s nice to meet you.”

“You too, Kira,” she smiles and when we release hands she leans lock elbowed against her display case. “Where did you come from?”

“Chicago,” I answer cheerfully as I’m about to enquire about a job next and she narrows her eyes thoughtfully.

“Wait…” she points at me. “Are you the runaway bride?”

Huh… guess it’s true what they say about small towns. Oh well.

“Yup,” I nod, accepting that as my identifier for now. “And I actually saw that you’re hiring. Could I fill out an application?”

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