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I stared through the windshield, my face hot and my hands flexing into fists on my lap. “Why haven’t they announced they got married? That’s what I want to know. Grannie must not know about it. You’d think Sue would’ve told her. They’re best friends.”
“Ask her.”
“I plan to.”
We got out of the truck and crossed the road.
“Did you discover anything online?” I asked, wondering what surprises he might’ve unearthed aboutmy grandmother’s other friends. You could live your entire life in a community and think you knew everything about everyone, only to have something creep up behind you and bite you on the butt.
“A few things, though nothing worth mentioning yet,” he said. “I’ll look some more tonight.” He opened the door to the ice cream shop for me, and we stepped inside, finding only Carla there, sitting at one of the tables, scrolling on her phone.
She sprung up as we stepped into the shop. “There you are.”
“Has it been busy?” It wasn’t right now, but this must be a lull.
“It was one customer after another for about an hour after you left, but it suddenly slowed right down to nothing.”
This was odd for a sunny midday, but I was sure the place would be swarming with customers soon.
“Would you believe only one person has been in for ice cream in the past hour?” Carla said.
“Thatisweird.” I turned to stare out the plate glass window. Maybe there was a fair outside of town and that had drawn everyone away. Or they were all at the beach. Eating at restaurants. Avoiding ice cream for some strange reason.
Elrik shot me a frown.
Carla joined me at the window. “I don’t get it either. I thought I’d be run ragged while you were gone.”
“I’m sorry we took so long.”
Carla shrugged. “I don’t mind. It’s my job.”
“Something came up with Elrik’s truck,” I said. “Andthen we went to the hospital to see Sue before she was discharged.”
“How’s she doing?”
“You should give her a call or go see her.” It wasn’t my place to discuss her health and her need for dialysis, but I was sure Sue would mention it at the next church social—assuming they held one again. They might decide to cancel them for the foreseeable future.
It also wasn’t my place to discuss Carla kissing Alfred.
“I’ll give her a few days and then do that.” She flashed me a smile, and I didn’t get the impression she was uncomfortable about the idea of visiting the girlfriend of the man she’d kissed.
“Would you like to take a break?” I asked. “I owe you.”
“Sure. I want to walk down Main Street and feel the salty breeze in my hair.” She dimpled her smile Elrik’s way. “Would you like to walk with me? You must have more questions.”
“I’m afraid I can’t.” His gaze sought mine. “I need to go to the office and take care of a few things. I’ll see you later?”
“Do you want to get together after I close at four?” I didn’t need to remind him of the time. I’d mentioned it yesterday, and he wasn’t the type to forget. But for some reason, I wanted to make it plain to Carla that Elrik was taken. Sort of. Was that what it meant when a guy declared he was your fated mate?
“I can come by when you close.” He shot me another smile that faded quickly. After giving Carla a curt nod, he left.
She stared after him and sighed. “Did you work ongetting a ring on your finger while you were gone?” She ran her hand through the sunlight beaming in through the big window, making her enormous diamond sparkle.
“We’re just friends.”
“A friend who’s coming by the moment you close down this place?” Her low laugh rang out. “I assume you’re going to . . . I don’t know. Stroll through town. Make him a home-cooked meal. They do say the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.”
“Is that how you hooked Walter?”
