BooksBarbecue
Back As Seen on TV Save as PDF
Chapters (57)
  1. Cover
  2. Title Page
  3. Copyright
  4. Dedication
  5. Chapter One
  6. Chapter Two
  7. Chapter Three
  8. Chapter Four
  9. Chapter Five
  10. Chapter Six
  11. Chapter Seven
  12. Chapter Eight
  13. Chapter Nine
  14. Chapter Ten
  15. Chapter Eleven
  16. Chapter Twelve
  17. Chapter Thirteen
  18. Chapter Fourteen
  19. Chapter Fifteen
  20. Chapter Sixteen
  21. Chapter Seventeen
  22. Chapter Eighteen
  23. Chapter Nineteen
  24. Chapter Twenty
  25. Chapter Twenty-One
  26. Chapter Twenty-Two
  27. Chapter Twenty-Three
  28. Chapter Twenty-Four
  29. Chapter Twenty-Five
  30. Chapter Twenty-Six
  31. Chapter Twenty-Seven
  32. Chapter Twenty-Eight
  33. Chapter Twenty-Nine
  34. Chapter Thirty
  35. Chapter Thirty-One
  36. Chapter Thirty-Two
  37. Chapter Thirty-Three
  38. Chapter Thirty-Four
  39. Chapter Thirty-Five
  40. Chapter Thirty-Six
  41. Chapter Thirty-Seven
  42. Chapter Thirty-Eight
  43. Chapter Thirty-Nine
  44. Chapter Forty
  45. Chapter Forty-One
  46. Chapter Forty-Two
  47. Chapter Forty-Three
  48. Chapter Forty-Four
  49. Chapter Forty-Five
  50. Chapter Forty-Six
  51. Chapter Forty-Seven
  52. Chapter Forty-Eight
  53. Chapter Forty-Nine
  54. Chapter Fifty
  55. Acknowledgments
  56. Discover More
  57. About the Author

“Okay then, Evita.” She slapped a bill in front of me. “No rush.”

“Adina.” But she’d already walked away. My grin slid from my cheeks. I’d come to the diner for a slice of homemade pie, to find sources for my story, and, if I was being honest, to make friends. I was leaving with none of the above. Then again, I had aimed to give myself a day to relax and settle in. It was still the weekend. By that mindset, I was no worse off than I’d have been if I simply checked in and read in my room as intended. Beginning now, I would stick to the original plan, which was to get a good night’s sleep and start fresh in the morning. I paid my bill, waved to whoever was watching (no one), and made my way back to the B&B.

Chapter Seven

Chapter Seven

Everything is fine,” I told my mom on the phone.

It was mostly the truth. I’d arrived at my destination safely and didn’t fear for my well-being. Since Mom didn’t share Kate’s and my fascination with small towns, there was no point in telling her I was so far underwhelmed by the hospitality.

When I’d returned from the diner, Mom Jeans, whose name I learned was Lorraine, checked me into Room E without further delay. She was microscopically friendlier to me, but I suspected it was because she was scanning my credit card for hundreds of dollars, not because she had an overwhelming interest in my life or thought I’d be perfect for her son/nephew.

“What are you doing tonight?” Mom asked.

“This,” I said, as if she could see me stretched out on top of the electric-blue comforter on the bed like a snow angel.

Located on the second floor toward the back of the inn, Room E—“the Garden” or “Seaside” would have been a more charming name—had a queen-size bed and a small raised sitting area with a settee that overlooked the backyard garden. Various shades of bright blue and green tones gave the room a soothing seaside feel. It was nice enough, but too sterile to feel homey. The bare walls didn’t help. Paintings, maybe even local art, would elevate the appeal. Just the same, I’d snapped a few pictures before messing up the bed and tossing items out of my suitcase.

“I’ll watch some TV or read. I want to get an early start tomorrow. Make the most of my time here.” And the money you gave me when you should have saved it for a rainy day, given the imminent rent hike.

“Sounds like a plan. I’m so proud of you, Squirt.”