Page 11 of Fortune's Control
“It’s a favor. Let me do you a favor.” Shane filled the can without waiting for a response. “I’ll be right back.”
Curiosity about Willard filled me, who refused credit cards and believed in conspiracy theories. Did he invent new ones or discover some from old history books? Maybe humans descended from aliens. I followed him.
Gold and silver hair, with wrinkles around his mouth. I pictured Willard in an aluminum foil hat, but that was unkind, as he wore a plain gray button-down shirt and faded denim pants. Willard was also busy writing out a receipt. An older model cash register, inaccessible to the Internet, sat beside his receipt book.
I checked out the small store, letting my eyes roam past the cold drinks and snacks to the world map over Willard’s head. It looked familiar, with one strange difference. “Is that…” I leaned forward to read it. “Atlantis?”
Willard glanced behind him. “They recently rediscovered it. Apparently, they discovered new technologies and all sorts of things. We’ll all benefit if they allow it. I read online that people have lived there for thousands of years, cut off from the rest of the world. It’s tragic because we all know they’ll hurt the Atlanteans.”
My mouth opened as I struggled for words. Who were they?
“Invite them here to Fortune’s Creek,” Shane said, beating me to it. “We take care of our people. They’d be safe.”
Willard considered Shane’s suggestion with obvious approval. “We beat those gators.”
“Well, we owe Dean Taggart for that. They almost succeeded.” Shane shook his head. “We’re lucky he came in time.”
“Indeed.” Willard’s warm smile settled on me. “You must be Lilah Mayberry. I heard about you over breakfast at the diner this morning.”
“You did?”
“Diane said Shane took one look at you and fell in love. We expect a wedding. Also, tell him to run for mayor. The whole town expects him to run. How would you like to be the mayor’s wife? Fancy title, isn’t it?”
The weight slammed into me. I looked at Shane, hoping for rescue, and saw only indifference.
A bell dinged, and a woman entered.
“Shane Wilcott. I just came from the garden club and heard the news,” she said.
I braced myself since I was the news.
“Hello, Mrs. Ramirez. It’s good to see you,” Shane said.
She touched his arm. “It’s good to have you back. Here in town, and truly back. Is this the blushing bride?” She offered her hand.
I took it. “Lilah Mayberry.”
“Lilah Wilcott, if the rumors are true,” shecorrected.
“They’re true,” Shane said, saving me from a panic attack.
“What about your honeymoon?” she asked.
Shane answered, smoother than I could have. “A private honeymoon at home, only the two of us. If you’ll excuse us, we have newlywed plans.”
Willard raised his hand goodbye. “Be careful at night. They’re back in the skies.”
“I’ll watch out. Thank you,” Shane said.
“What is in the skies?” I asked once we were outside.
“Probably aliens or a wormhole.”
“Does he truly believe all that?”
“It’s a part of who he is, and I won’t take that from him.”
I hopped into the passenger seat with him holding the door open, and both of us at eye level. Shane’s simple comment hit me, although I don’t think he meant to.
