Page 42 of Bad For Me (Rock Canyon, Idaho 5)

Gemma shot Callie a grin. Mrs. Andrews was a very unpleasant woman and for some reason, a favorite target of Miss Know It All.

“ ‘There will be at least one kid who pees on the hayride’ ”—Gracie wrinkled her nose as she continued—“ ‘and a couple hookups, despite the family-friendly atmosphere. But it seems that one of the town’s homegrown heroes may have found his Cinderella,’ ” Gracie said, her voice rising excitedly. “ ‘Several people saw Everett Silverton, who is known for his bravery and reclusive nature, pushing a mysterious woman on the swing outside his home. One person even reported that there may have been a kiss or two exchanged—’ ”

“What?” Callie yelped, earning a hush from Gemma.

“ ‘Though the woman could not be identified, she is described as average in height and weight, with curly blonde hair.’ ”

Suddenly, two pairs of curious eyes turned on Callie intently.

“What are you looking at me for?”

Gracie looked back at her phone and read, “ ‘Some of the suspects include Jillian Davis, Amanda Meyers, and . . . Callie Jacobsen.’ ”

The eyes were back on her, this time with eyebrows raised.

“She just wrote that no one could identify her accurately. It could be anyone with blonde hair,” Callie said, backing toward the door.

“Me thinks the lady doth protest too much,” Gracie said.

“Hamlet has a point,” Gemma added.

Callie glared at both of them. “He didn’t push me on the swing.”

“But there was kissing?” Gracie asked.

Callie looked at Gemma pleadingly, but Gemma grinned. “Oh, no, I am dying of curiosity.”

“Traitor.”

“Face it. There’s no escape,” Gracie said. “We know where you work and live, and if need be, we will call your satellite provider and deny you all your must-watch shows.”

“There is nothing to tell. We just talked.”

“Talked about what?” Gemma prodded.

“The festival, books . . . stuff.”

Gracie and Gemma grinned at one another before Gracie said, “So you talked about stuff.”

“Good stuff?”

“And that’s my cue,” Callie said, escaping out the back as Gracie yelled, “Resistance is futile!”

EVERETT HAD JUST finished up a call with a veteran when there was a knock on his door.

“Yeah, come in.”

Justin stuck his head in, grinning from ear to ear. “Hey, bro.”

Everett raised his eyebrow at his brother’s sly tone. “Hey, bro.”

Justin came in holding a copy of the town paper and straddled one of Everett’s kitchen chairs. “Have you read the paper today?”

“I have not. Something interesting?”

“Now that you mention it, it seems you were the highlight of Miss Know It All’s column.” Justin held the paper out to Everett.

“What? What the hell are you talking about—” Everett stared hard at the blurry picture of him and Callie standing a few inches apart by the swing. You couldn’t make out the faces, but Miss Know It All listed Callie as one of the suspects. “Shit.”

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