Page 22 of Home Changes
“No. She looked … dirty. Skinny. Really skinny. I should call Ken.”
“Where did she go?” Seth frowned and walked around the building. When he returned, he shook his head. “She’s gone. Not visible from anywhere. A regular Houdini.”
“She’s the one who’s been taking food from my trash,” Allison said, hands on her hips.
“What are you talking about?”
“For the past week, maybe more, I’ve noticed food disappearing. Only the bags with expired stuff. Nothing else touched. I don’t overbake, so it’s not much, but it’s always gone.”
Seth’s frown deepened. “You think she’s been living off what you’re throwing away?”
“I hope not,” Allison said, voice tight. “It’s notenough to keep a bird alive. Maybe I should start leaving a sandwich or something more.”
Seth crossed his arms over his chest. “This is a small town. I’m surprised no one’s seen her.”
“I haven’t been to the diner lately,” Allison admitted. “I’ve been swamped with prebaking for the Fall Festival. But that’s where the gossip lives.”
“Maybe we should head over,” Seth said. “You can keep an eye on the store from there, and Chester’s fine with Delbert. I’ll buy you a cup of coffee.”
Allison hesitated. “Edna’s probably still over there. If we walk in together, they’re going to say we’re dating.” An electric feeling zipped through her when he smiled and winked at her.
“That wouldn’t bother me in the slightest.” He grinned. “Which reminds me. Can I get your number? You know, for a text. Or a phone call.”
Allison stared at him, brows raised. Yep, emotions, all kinds of emotions, were doing the ping-pong-ping through her brain. “Are you serious?”
“Of course, I’m serious. I asked, didn’t I?”
She pulled her phone from her pocket, and her hands shook a little. “All right. Give me your number.”
He rattled it off, and she punched it in, sending aquick text to confirm. “Thank you.” When his eyes dropped to her lips, she about fainted. Flat-out falling on her face type of fainting. A truck trundled down the street, breaking her from her trance. “Oh, wait. I need to lock the back door, and I’ve got something for you.” She sprinted back up the steps and into the break room.
Allison grabbed the lavender box, filled with little things she thought Seth, Chester, and especially Gomer might enjoy.
To be honest, most of it was for Gomer. Homemade, bone-shaped treats with dog-safe ingredients like sweet potatoes and blueberries. She’d never made dog biscuits before, but she hoped they turned out okay.
She came back out, locking the door behind her, and handed the box to Seth.
“What’s all this?”
“Something for you, Chester, and Gomer. Gomer gets the bone-shaped ones. Don’t eat them,” she said with a smirk. “I mean ... You could. But they’re not going to taste as good as the stuff I made for you two.”
Seth peeked into the box and chuckled. “You’re going to spoil us.”
“You know,” she said as they started walking, “ashard as you’re working with your dad, a little spoiling wouldn’t hurt.”
“Let’s go to the diner,” Seth said, tucking the box under his arm, placing his hand on her back. “I’ll take this back to the store later. No sense in confusing Chester right now.”
They crossed the street diagonally, waving at Phil and his nephew-in-law, Alex Thompson, who both owned and worked the repair shop and gas station.
The bell over the diner door chimed as they stepped inside. Every head turned in their direction. Ken and Samantha were sitting in the booth immediately inside the door. It was Ken’s usual booth, due to the easy exit if he had to respond to something. Seth stopped and shook Ken’s hand, and then Ken introduced his wife.
“Ma’am,” Seth said after greeting her, “I’d like to schedule an appointment with you. Chester and I need to get his business in order.”
Samantha extended her hand, and Seth took it. Allison faded back a bit. No matter how kind Sam was and how many times Ken had forgiven her, being with both of them was an uncomfortable situation for her. It washerissue, not theirs.
“So nice to meet you, Seth. I have time next week, unless it’s something urgent?” She glanced across thestreet to where Chester, Delbert, and Gomer sat in the shade.
“No, ma’am. Next week is fine,” Seth assured her.
