Page 28 of Love, Lies and Sleigh Rides
Fallon sighed. “It’s amazing. I know where I’m staying from now on when I come to town.” She immediately bit her lip, realizing her mistake. To her credit, Agnes didn’t call her out on the slight about her hospitality.
“I want to apologize for earlier,” said Agnes, draping her cape over the back of her chair.
“About what?” Fallon pushed the little basket of teas toward Agnes.
“For going on about Kade. I really should keep my mouth shut. Elaine and I go way back is all. We went to grade school together. We’re practically family.” She looked up at Fallon as she dunked a tea bag into the mug of water and shrugged. “They should have kept a tighter rein on him.”
Against her better judgment, Fallon caved and took the bait. “What kind of trouble did he get into?”
Agnes’s eyes bugged. “Oh, what didn’t he do? Stole things. Caused property damage. Ran through my yard once on his motorcycle, tearing up my rose hedge,” she whispered. “If the fenced hadn’t stopped him, he would have driven right off the ledge and down into the Sage River. Steep drop. He would’ve been a goner.” She sat back, clamping her mouth shut as if the enormity of her revelation needed time to sink in properly.
“Well, thank goodness time can change people.” Fallon shuffled her notes.
“And their judgment,” she said, shaking her head. “Who gives a troublesome teen a motorcycle?”
“He seems a different person.”
Agnes gave no sign that she agreed. “It was like he had some kind of death wish.”
“But he doesn’t give off any of that…that negativity now. Except for maybe a stubborn streak—”
Agnes sat forward and rested her elbows on the table. “Exactly! What did he balk at this time? Wait, don’t tell me? The lineup for the parade? Moving certain entrants to the rear or canceling them all together?”
“Kade wanted to cancel parade entrants?”
“Oh, yes,” Agnes said, nodding slowly. “The last time he was home, maybe three years ago. He pitched a fit because the state senator was slotted to ride in front of his parents. Like the parade lineup is based on popularity or something.” She scoffed while fishing the tea bag from her mug.
Fallon had a hard time imagining Kade acting that petty.
“I’m sorry that I interrupted. You were about to tell me what he got upset by,” Agnes said.
Fallon encircled her mug with both hands and looked down. She wasn’t sure she should confide in Agnes about Kade anymore. The woman obviously wasn’t a fan.
“Listen, Fallon. I don’t say these things to gossip. Believe me, I don’t want to hurt Elaine.” She put a hand across her chest and looked up at the ceiling as if giving the heavens her word. “But I feel you need to know what you’re dealing with. You know, in case it becomes an issue again.”
Ithadalmost become an issue.
“It was nothing, really. He was just upset Elaine and Fred would have to ride in a truck during the parade.”
The corners of Agnes’s mouth dipped. “Why would they have to do that? What’s wrong with the sleigh?”
“It’s broken.”
Agnes stared at her like she was busy connecting dots. Finally, she said, “Now I get it. Of course he’s upset.”
“He’s pretty attached to it from what I gathered.”
“And with good reason,” Agnes said, her voice soft as she looked lost in thought. But suddenly she sat straight in her seat again. “I may have a solution for the truck.”
“I’ve already arranged it. Elaine is okay with it.”
Agnes’s hand fanned the air between them. “A truck’s no good. There’s something better if it comes through. Let me make some calls and I’ll get back to you.” She put a plump finger against her lips. “Not a word yet.”
Fallon pushed a finger against her temple, struggling to not show her frustration. Not only did Kade question her plans, but now Agnes. Lately, she wondered if she’d put in a lot of work for no reason.
A door shut somewhere. Darcy greeted whomever it was. Seconds later, Elaine appeared and spotted Fallon across the dining room.
“Here’s Elaine now,” she said, hoping to shut down Agnes before the other woman overheard anything derogatory. She’d be mortified if Elaine got wind of their discussion about Kade and his shortcomings. Fallon would feel guilty by association.
