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“I was always confident that they would make it, because I have complete faith in the fire department here in Lake Bittersweet.” She made sure to repeat the town’s name at every opportunity. “Of course no one knew they were rescuing a billionaire, because that kind of thing doesn’t matter here. Every visitor to our town is important. We don’t let any of them drown.”
It was fun making news crews laugh.
“If you guys are interested in more local color, did you know that the Blue Drake was started by the late Steven Gault?”
Everyone ought to know that, but things tended to get lost in the shuffle so it was worth pointing out.
“The Freaks guy?” asked one of the reporters, a sandy-haired kid who was probably actually an intern trying to get some experience.
“That’s right. One of his closest friends runs that restaurant. Are y’all familiar with Alvin ‘Redfish’ Carter?”
None of them were, which pissed her off so much she nearly forgot her real purpose here.
“If you get a chance, check out his catalogue. He’s a legend. The point is, I’m not at all surprised that a billionaire would choose to vacation here. I’m just happy we were able to get him to safety, thanks to our stellar fire department, and especially our own Jason Mosedale.”
Since Caldwell himself was declining all interview requests, Kendra was in hot demand. By the end of the day, her voice was just about gone, but she was proud to say that she’d given a plug to a very comprehensive list of Lake Bittersweet businesses. The Inn, the SweetBitter Cafe, Dream Getaways, Galen Cooper’s wilderness adventure business, the Indigenous Arts cooperative, the maple syrup cooperative, and of course, the world famous Blue Balls Burgers at Alvin’s Burgers and Blues.
She had no idea how much of that would make it on the air, but she’d done her level best.
In the kitchen at the end of the day, her father wiped his hands on a dishtowel and shot her a suspicious stare. “Why are you knocking yourself out for those folk? We don’t need that much business.”
She leaned her butt against the edge of the counter and dropped a leftover jalapeño popper into her mouth. The fiery flavor gave her a little boost of energy. “It’s…I’m promoting the town. Don’t get wound up, but I applied for the town manager job.”
He tossed the towel over his shoulder. “Why didn’t you tell me before?”
“In case I didn’t get it. Which…I’m not. Getting it, I mean. Jason wanted me to give it one more shot today, so I played Lake Bittersweet cheerleader.” She caught his expression. “But don’t worry, I’m not going anywhere. I’m still queen of the burgers.”
“I’m not worried about that. I always knew you’d find something to suit you better. Are you telling me they turned you down?” His voice deepened the way it did when he was upset.
“It’s not official yet, but yes.”
“Let me talk to them. If this is because of me, or Gault, or the color of—”
“Pop, no! You stay out of it. It’s not because of any of that. It’s me. I screwed it up all on my own.”
“I don’t believe you. What’d you do?” he demanded.
She told him the story, which left him shaking his head. “That’s not like you, Kendra. I never used to worry about you. Now you got me staying awake nights, picturing all kinds of scenarios. Where’s your man? When’s Dominic going to come see us?”
Oh lord. She wasn’t ready to inflict another disappointment on him. Maybe he worried about her, but she worried about him even more.
She ate the last jalapeño popper and pretended to check the time. “There’s no need to worry, Pop. But I can’t talk now, I have to go pick up a dog. Mind if I take the truck? I don’t want dog hair in my Lexus.”
“A dog? We aren’t getting a dog.”
“It’s Jason’s dog, relax.”
“How’s that boy’s fever?”
“Better. Don’t worry about him either.” Something occurred to her. “Jason isn’t a millionaire, is he?”
“A what?” Her father let loose that hearty laugh that always seemed to come right from his gut. “Come on now. His parents barely scraped by with that dance studio. He’s about the same. Good man, but no millionaire.”
As she’d thought.
Ten minutes later, she knocked on the door of the old farmhouse occupied by Jason and his sister.
Holly flung open the door. “Oh. It’s you.” She sounded so disappointed that Kendra wondered if she should turn around and leave.
