“Yeah. Why wouldn’t it be?”
Hands on hips, he glanced to the side before his penetrating gaze swung back to her. “Because I can guess where you spent the night.”
She crossed her arms and met his judgmental gaze with one of her own. “I fail to see where that’s any of your concern.”
His brows came down, the polite smile replaced by a grimace. “It’s my concern because this is my town, and despite what you think, you’re in over your head. Those guys are not the selfless do-gooders you think they are.”
Bree felt offended on behalf of Nick and the others she’d met. She’d seen no evidence that would suggest they were anything other than what they’d said they were despite vague allusions cast by Lenny and the Ladies Auxiliary.
“So you’ve insinuated. But you know what you haven’t provided? A reason why I should take your word for it.”
A muscle in his jaw twitched.
When several moments passed without a response, she exhaled and said, “Yeah, that’s what I thought. Thanks again for your concern. Have a good day, Officer Petraski.”
She turned and made it to the porch before he called out, “Ever been to a potbellied pig race?”
What the hell? She paused. “No, I can’t say that I have.”
“You should go. Tonight. Community Days at the park. Just follow the signs. Can’t miss it.”
She turned to look back at him and found his expression ... determined. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw movement inside the house and knew Martha was listening. “Are you going?”
“Wouldn’t miss it. I’m heading over after my shift.”
“Then, maybe I’ll see you there.”
He nodded, then got back into his cruiser, and drove away.
Bree went back into the house, thinking that was one of the oddest exchanges she’d ever had, though she was fairly certain Lenny’s strange and seemingly random invitation was for Martha’s benefit.
Martha was still miffed when Bree returned to the kitchen and poured herself a cup of coffee. Bree sat down, picked up Penny, and began to stroke her silky fur. It was barely eleven a.m., and she was already exhausted.
“No hot breakfast after nine a.m.,” Martha told her as she slid a tray of fresh whole fruits and pastries onto the table.
Bree revised her no-apology strategy. She had one more night in town and didn’t want it to end on a bad note. “This is more than fine. Thank you. I’m sorry I worried you. I honestly didn’t think anyone would notice.”
Martha sniffed. “Well, I don’t know what you’re used to, but we look out for each other around here.”
You mean, you get up in each other’s business, Bree thought wryly, though she had to admit, the thought of having someone concerned for her well-being with no ulterior motive wasn’t all bad.
If something happened to her at her place in San Diego, no one would notice—or care—for days, except Toni—although even that was iffy since Toni spent nights at Hunter’s private condo more often than not these days.
“Come, Penny.” The tiny dog dutifully jumped off Bree’s lap and crawled into the large canvas bag Martha had placed on the floor. “Penny and I are off to Zeigler’s.”
The name rang a bell. “The farmers market you were telling me about? The one with the bulk candy?”
“Yes, that’s the one.”
“Do you mind if I tag along? Just give me a minute to change.” Without waiting for Martha’s response, Bree ran up the steps and changed into fresh clothes, using a few spritzes of citrusy body mist for good measure.
Martha was waiting at the door when she came back downstairs. Her slight scowl faded when Bree offered to drive them over in the convertible. Martha even smiled when Penny put her little paws on the car door and turned her face into the breeze.
Zeigler’s was a series of wooden warehouse-like structures, set back from the road. Behind the buildings, the massive parking lot was nearly full. And not just with cars and trucks. There were horses and Amish buggies too! She surreptitiously snapped a few pictures to show Toni.
Inside, the place was like a maze. She was glad she had Martha to guide her; Bree wasn’t sure she would have found her way out otherwise.
Open cell-like stalls held a wide variety of merchants selling everything from fresh meat and produce to homemade crafts and World War II memorabilia. Bree was in awe; she’d never seen anything like it. She was like a kid in a candy store, particularly when Martha led her to the bulk-candy section. The seller laughed when she filled several bags with Squirrel Nut Zippers, Mary Janes, Caramel Creams, and a variety of other vintage candies, paying only a fraction of what she paid online. She even managed to pick up a used, hard-sided piece of luggage to haul it all back to California.
The downside was, Martha knew a lot of people at the market and felt compelled to stop and chat with each and every one. Of course, they all wanted to know who Bree was, where she was from, and what had brought her to Sumneyville. At first, Bree was looking forward to gauging their reactions when she told them she was doing an article on Sanctuary, but she soon realized that they were tempering their responses around Martha. There were a few times when Bree thought people would have said more had Martha not been standing beside her.
After several rounds of the same questions and comments, Bree had had enough. When Martha stopped to chat with a woman behind the butcher counter, Bree wandered away to check out a nearby stand selling homemade soaps. The fragrant bars were stacked in neat pyramids in various shades of translucent colors.
With Martha occupied, Bree took her time to sniff each one. There were at least two dozen different offerings. Her favorite was the Egyptian Musk, but she liked the apple and grapefruit ones as well.
