Page 33 of Unearthed Dreams
I knew something about that.
Forcing myself not to look at the tent again, I grabbed Chase’s abandoned beer and dumped it in the bucket behind the counter. The crowd was starting to thicken as the parade wrapped up, and I had work to do. That was what I was good at—working. Keeping busy. Not thinking about things I’d lost, things I couldn’t have.
Or people.
The sunfinally started its descent, offering blessed relief from the heat, when movement at the EdenTree tent caught my eye. Despite my best efforts to keep my attention anywhere else, I’d been hyperaware of Charlie’s presence all afternoon. So when she suddenly jumped from her chair, her face lighting up with surprise and joy, my gaze was drawn to her like a magnet.
Three people around her age approached the tent. The blonde woman looked like she’d stepped straight out of an athleisure catalog, all toned legs and high ponytail, in her sports bra and running shorts. Next to her was a guy built like aKen doll. But it was the third one that made my jaw clench—tall and lanky in dark-wash jeans and Chucks, with wavy dark hair falling across his forehead and bright green eyes visible even from here. The kind of guy who didn’t even realize how attractive he was, which somehow made it worse.
Charlie threw her arms around each of them.
“Well, don’t you look miserable,” Rosie said, startling my gaze back to where she leaned against the rickety counter of my makeshift bar.
I grunted, continuing to wipe down the sticky surface.
“Shouldn’t you be manning your own station?”
She waved a dismissive hand. “That’s what the minions are for, honey. You should consider getting yourself some for the bar.”
“And risk someone else messing up my system? No thanks.”
“Ah yes, yourvery particularway of doing things.” Her eyes sparkled with amusement. “Though I notice you’ve been a bit distracted today. Keep looking over at the EdenTree tent.”
“Just keeping an eye on the competition.”
“Mmhmm.” Rosie’s knowing smile made me want to crawl under the bar. “I’m sure that’s all it is. Nothing to do with a certain someone sitting over there with her nose in a book.”
“Don’t you have food to serve?” I muttered, suddenly very interested in restocking cups.
“The town’s been good for you, Kai.” The sudden shift in her tone made me look up. Her expression had softened into something almost maternal. “And you’ve been good for it. Even if you don’t see it yet.”
I swallowed hard against the unexpected emotion her words stirred. “Just doing my job.”
“No, honey. You’re doing a lot more than that.” She straightened, adjusting her apron. “You’re building a life here. Maybe even finding something worth holding onto.”
Her gaze drifted meaningfully toward the EdenTree tent again, and I fought the urge to follow it. To look at Charlie one more time.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said stiffly.
Rosie’s laugh was warm and knowing. “Of course you don’t. Don’t worry, your secret’s safe with me.” She patted my hand. “Some things are worth protecting, even from small-town gossip.”
Before I could respond, she was gone, weaving through the festival crowds with the easy confidence of someone who knew exactly where they belonged.
I wondered when exactly this town had wrapped itself around me so completely that even Rosie Kramer was keeping my secrets.
Movement caught my eye and, when I turned in that direction, my heart stumbled. Charlie tucked her Kindle into her bag, laughing at something the blonde said. Then the guy in the band t-shirt—who probably hadn’t failed at marriage or gotten anyone killed—placed his hand on the small of her back as they walked away from the tent.
Something hot and ugly twisted in my gut. The plastic cup in my hand crackled as my grip tightened.
That’s good, a voice in my head insisted.That’s what she needs. Someone young and whole. Someone who doesn’t carry around ghosts.
I forced myself to turn away as they disappeared into thecrowd, trying to ignore how perfect they looked together—both young and untouched by tragedy.
“Are you alright, dear?” Mrs. Henderson materialized beside me, her eyes darting between me and Charlie’s retreating form with entirely too much perception. “You’ve destroyed that cup.”
“Fine,” I muttered, tossing the mangled plastic in the trash. “Just fine.”
Chapter Thirteen
