Page 14 of Ghost Town Boogie

That was true enough. His dumpster alone was a godsend.

Nina stirred and sighed. “Poor guy, he was never the same after the accident.”

They hadn’t talked about Colt much in the past few years. When Anna came home her visits were quick and entirely about family. It wasn’t like she and Colt had been friends as children. The age difference had been too great. He’d been Jack’s friend, and any discussion of Colt would bring them around to Jack. A sore subject. She hadn’t even known about the accident that had injured him and killed his wife until years after the fact.

She’d been busy with her own life, her career, and at that time, an active dating life. About that time she’d gotten engaged to the rat she’d eventually married.

“I’m sure he was devastated. I can’t even imagine…”

“He talks to himself,” Nina whispered. “A lot. His mother was so worried. Apparently at first it was really bad, but I hear he still walks around town whispering to no one, acting as if someone is with him. Maybe I don’t get out much, but people visit on occasion and they do keep me up to speed.” She gave Anna a censuring look. “I know you used to have a crush on him back in the day, but steer clear. He’s gone all squirrelly.”

Not a word she’d use to describe Colt, but it wasn’t like she was going to stay in Seawolf Beach. It didn’t matter if she was attracted to him or not.

“I’m going to take him a glass of water, and while I’m up there I’ll ask if he wants to stay for supper.” At the same time she’d warn him what was on the stove.

Nina nodded and headed for the fridge. And cheese, Anna hoped.

She fixed a glass of water and carried it up the stairs. Her mother’s warning about Colt had backfired. It made her think. Maybe she wasn’t going to stick around after her mother moved, but she’d been divorced for years, had tried and failed to date, and she couldn’t deny that she was attracted to Colt. Not in the same way she’d been as a teenager. They weren’t kids anymore. He was good-looking, unattached as far as she knew, had a great body and a killer smile. He made her tingle a little. Okay, yes, he was a blast from the past, but was that really a bad thing? She’d never had a fling before. Sex with no expectations. No promises. Just… fun. A connection that wouldn’t last but was fun all the same. Maybe it was time.

He was not squirrelly.

As she approached Jack’s room, she noticed the door was closed. She hadn’t left it that way. Why would Colt…

And then she heard him. Talking to no one, her mother had said. Ridiculous. Maybe he was singing, badly, inspired by one of the records. Maybe he just talked to himself. Some people did. As she lifted her hand to knock on the door before opening it, she made out a couple of whispered words.

“Dammit, Jack!”

Jack’s head snapped up a split second before Colt heard the knock.

“Come in,” he said.

Anna opened the door. She’d heard him, he knew it. Her face told all. He’d kept his voice down, but she’d been right there.

“I thought you might want a glass of water.” Ice rattled against the glass as she lifted it.

“Thanks.” He took the offering from her. “I’m afraid you caught me.”

“Doing what?” she asked, trying and failing not to look or sound suspicious. She was a bit too wide-eyed. Oh, those baby blues.

“Talking to Jack,” he confessed.

She blinked hard, twice.

“We spent a lot of time in this room. The memories came flooding back, and I just…”

“Ah,” she said, obviously relieved. “I suppose I’ve talked to my absent brother a time or two myself, and I probably used just those words.” Dammit, Jack. She’d probably added in an angry, How could you?

“Making any progress?” she asked. A few records were spread across the bed, but most were still in their boxes.

“A little. There are some good ones in here. Nothing super valuable, at least not yet, but someone will want them.”

“Mom’s making some kind of leftover mystery concoction and she wanted me to ask you to stay for supper.”

“Sure.”

“I’m warning you…”

“I was going to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich when I got back to the depot, so I’ll take my chances. Just give me five more minutes with these and I’ll come down.”