Page 49 of Manors & Mischief

“Dev, I was wondering if you have the time to make a stop here. One of the sinks in the bathroom isn’t working.”

Her café is only about twenty yards away off the square. “I think I can be there in about thirty seconds.”

“Oh good. See you soon.”

She hangs up, and I take my foot off the gas. Harvest Falls is getting busier by the day. Pockets of tourists can be seen on street corners. Others walk with the colorful maps the tourism board made. Luckily for me, I find a spot nearby to park.

I usually always get busier this time of year. If something is going to go wrong, it waits until there’s a business full of tourists. Last year, I had to redo a bench on Mark’s hayride because it just cracked in two after too many people were sitting on it.

After parking, I get out of the truck and reach into the bed to grab my toolbox before heading into the café. The best part about working around town is that people always give me a little something from their shops for the help. At Bea’s, I’m bound to get a coffee. At the hardware store, there’s always a piece of candy with my name on it.

The bell rings overhead signaling my arrival. Bea’s is pretty packed. Some locals, but even more tourists, and the baristas behind the counter look a little frazzled.

Bea waves with a smile then comes around the counter and leads me into the men’s bathroom. As soon as the door closes behind us, she says, “So?”

I peek around at the sink, turning both the faucets on and frowning when no water comes out. “So you have an unworking sink?”

She slaps my shoulder. “I’m talking about Ember.”

I stand up straight. “What about her?”

She makes a tiny noise of frustration. “Did you get a date with her or not?”

My lips peel back into a smile. “She didn’t tell you?”

“No. Suspiciously, she hasn’t texted me at all. I’m assuming you got her home okay last night.” The glint in her eye tells me she thinks that’s why she hasn’t heard from her new best friend.

“She was alive and well the last time I saw her.”

“Devon Lachey, I swear to God.”

I kneel, not bothering to laugh as I check the lines and then the valve. I groan, peering at her as I twist the line open. “Are you serious, Bea? Did you call me down here, faking an issue, just so you can ask me about Ember?”

She mock gasps. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

I stand, turning on the faucets now, which work fine.

She peers at it in feigned surprise. “You’re amazing.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

“Just tell me what happened between you two!”

“You mean what happened after you practically threw us in each other’s faces yesterday.”

“I could tell you both needed a push.” She peers around the sink like it’s a miracle it’s fixed. “And I have no idea what you’re saying about making something up about the sink.”

The thing about Bea is, she’s a terrible liar. She always has been. I learned early that she cannot be trusted when you’re trying to get away with something. All I can do is just chuckle at her. “Just for this, I’m not going to tell you a thing.”

She gasps, then narrows her gaze. “Don’t think Ember won’t if I ask her.”

I throw my hands up. “Go ahead. Ask her.” I grab my toolbox and walk toward the door. I have my hand on the handle when I say. “I have a sneaking suspicion you probably already did, and when she wouldn’t give up the goods, you decided you wanted to talk to me.”

“Wow…” Bea says. “Who’s overly suspicious now?”

“No, I just know how this town works.” I turn the handle and open the door and am met with about four locals leaning their ears toward the door. They walk away nonchalantly like they didn’t get caught red handed.

I turn toward Bea and gesture toward the offenders. “What, did you all call a meeting this morning?”