Page 34 of Sound and Deception

“No, that’s okay. You can help clean that little dude’s cabin.”

“Oh, joy.” His dry response didn’t erase the warmth in his eyes.

“And then you can help me out with candle duty.”

“I’m not sure what that is, but it sounds alluring. Unless it’s a religious thing.”

“Not a religious thing.”

“Then I’m in.”

Chapter Thirty-Five

The Square was just what the name suggested—a small patch of park bordered by the police station, the library, the fire station, and the Chamber of Commerce. Like the entirety of the island, it was tiny. Sculpted Orcas spouted from the center of a dry fountain, the gurgling water switched off for the season. Otherwise, the patch of grass stood devoid of any kind of foliage, except for the mammoth tree several of the guys had erected and draped with lights. Contrary to Noah’s broadcast, they worked together like machinery, with nary an embarrassment. I guessed we had to wait for the talent show for that, an event which, fortunately, I hadn’t been hoodwinked into participating.

We didn’t have a mayor, so the County Commissioner assigned to our island should have thrown the switch for the tree, but since she was in Pennsylvania visiting relatives, Jay deferred to Dr. Heaton. I guessed he didn’t feel old enough to take on the honor.

I’d taken position behind Gram’s wheelchair, with Sunny just to my right, when the lights twinkled and everyone hooted and cheered. It was such a little thing, but compounded that feeling of community. Some folks continued to hang around and chat, while others wandered off toward the rec center for the talent show, or to wherever their evening plans waited.

Noah appeared behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist. He stuck his cold nose in the side of my neck, and I growled at him, but he just laughed.

“Evening, Mrs. Holt. Mrs. Eubank.” He smiled wide at both ladies, charm oozing from all his pores. Sunny looked smitten. Gram looked amused, but the amusement bled away to snark and I braced myself.

“So, Noah, when are you and my granddaughter going to make me a Nana?”

Noah started coughing and I cast a wild look at my grandmother. “Geez, Gram!”

All bundled up in her heavy coat and scarf, it was hard to catch her shrug, but her eyes laughed at me. “Not getting any younger.”

I wasn’t sure if she meant herself or us, but had no plans to ask.

Gram and Sunny had shown a complete lack of surprise when I announced I was moving back to the island. The fact that I didn’t always come back to the farm at night, and Noah’s proximity, had been a little bit of a clue, but they were delighted nonetheless.

“Hey, people!” Jay strode up with his family, son spinning in circles, wife discouraging it with a head shake. “Who’s ready to humiliate themselves tonight? Anyone?”

“I’m good, man, but don’t let me stop you.” Noah smirked and squeezed my waist.

“Where’s your community spirit?”

“It’s hanging on the tree in front of you.”

Jay thought about that for a second. “Okay, fair enough. Well, at least,we’reheading over to the rec center. Feel free to join us. If youdare.”

“Oh, I dare.” Gram responded while the rest of us considered alternate escape routes. “Klahanie, can you please give me a push? I can’t wait until I’m out of this damned thing.”

“Um … sure.” I glanced at Sunny who responded with a closed mouth smile. My eye twitched and Noah started laughing. “Well, onward. I guess.”

Along the way, Dani, Dean, Mike, and Allison joined. As usual, Allison looked a little like she’d bitten into a cockroach, but not as much as usual. Our group wove our way toward the town’s multi-purpose building, and I was surprised to find a fair amount of people inside. There was no stage, but the far side of the main room had been cleared, except for a standing mic, speakers, and the karaoke machine from Salty’z. At least, I presumed it was the same one. I couldn’t fathom the island having two. Folding chairs spread out from the performance zone in a fan, almost three-quarters already filled.

“We should do our ABBA thing!” Dani suggested to me with a huge grin, which I met with a grimace. She laughed. “Oh, it was fun. You have to admit it.”

“Yeah, I guess it was. I’ll deny it if you tell anyone, though.”

“Too late, Hanes. Too late.” She bumped me, and I fake-scowled. “Oh, while I think about it. Want to get together for lunch or dinner soon?”

“Absolutely.” Surprising myself, I didn’t even hesitate.

“Sweet! I’ll call you this week.”

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