Finding Maura by Michelle Wieck

Author:Michelle Wieck [Wieck, Michelle]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: TEA & K Publishing
Published: 2022-05-23T16:00:00+00:00

My GPS guides me to KNG Auto in Wood Valley, and I am thrilled to see that the shop is almost directly across the street from the Junk Faire tents.

Perfect! I can cross at least one town off my list this weekend. I grab my purse and keys, and before I make it to the front door, I hear a voice from behind me.

“Can I help you?”

I turn and see an older man in a gray jumpsuit, a cigarette hanging from the corner of his mouth and a rolled-up newspaper in his hand. He’s standing near one of the giant open garage doors, and he seems annoyed by my presence.

“Hi,” I say. “I’m Maura Maley. I talked to someone earlier about my tire. Sheriff Ramsey sent me. He put my spare on.” I point at the back tire.

“Right. I talked to you. You got the keys?”

There isn’t even a hint of friendliness in his voice, but he’s not necessarily rude either. “Yeah, right here.” I dangle them in front of me and take a few steps forward, trying to avoid the plume of smoke coming from his face. “How long do you think it will take?”

“You in a hurry?” His face wrinkles up.

Did I offend him?

“Oh, I’m sorry. No. I thought I’d go over to the tents,” I say, pointing across the street. “Is that okay?”

“Gimme an hour,” he says, turning back toward the garage.

Okie dokie. Service with a smile is not a thing here.

I walk across the street, and I’m pleased to see the tents are all busy. As I wander around, I see a little bit of everything. Several stations feature hand-crafted jewelry and clothing, all professionally displayed with bracelets and necklaces neatly laid out on the tables, while floral dresses, blouses, and cardigans hang from the corners of the tent frames, blowing in the breeze. Others are littered with garage sale-type items, packed full of everything from kitchen utensils and trinkets to tools, lawnmowers, and farming equipment.

An area in the center of all the action features gorgeous, wood-carved furniture and home decor. A bed frame, a table, and a pair of rocking chairs are prominently staged on the street side of the tent, while smaller items like doll beds, shelves, and wall hangings rest in the shade. Several signs advertise that “custom orders are welcome.”

I head directly to the “junk tents” because that’s where the treasures hide. I find a salt and pepper shaker shaped like cats and a teapot that looks like a strawberry and smile at the woman behind the table. “How much for these?”

She takes the teapot from me, flips it upside down, opens it up, and then shrugs her shoulders. “How about a dollar for the strawberry and a quarter apiece for those,” she says, pointing at the shakers.

“That sounds great!” I begin to open my wallet when I see it. I can’t believe my eyes. It’s leaning against a tree behind the woman who stands in front of me, a black vintage bicycle, complete with a wicker basket and rack platform.

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