If You Adore Me by Ciara Knight

Author:Ciara Knight [Knight, Ciara]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Defy the Dark Publishing LLC

Eighteen

Knox didn’t want to return to the office and have to deal with Lori’s questions or to the inn where he’d probably find Carissa and Drew snuggling on the front porch swing having a picnic lunch. He’d love to find the closest bar, but in Sugar Maple the strongest thing he could have was an espresso. He headed for a quiet cup of coffee at Maple Grounds, far from everyone.

To his disappointment, the senior bus pulled up outside and out shuffled five town elders, Davey leading the pack. “What you lookin’ so glum for? A squirrel steal your teeth?” Davey plopped down across from Knox as if he had been invited. “Don’t look at me like I’m crazy. It happened once. Squirrel ran right up on my porch, grabbed my teeth, and skittered away.”

The man was like comedic relief for Knox’s gloomy life, but he didn’t want the entertainment right then. Knox thought about asking why he’d left his teeth on an outside porch but decided that would only open up more conversation.

“So what is it? Girl trouble?” Davey pushed his bony elbow into Knox’s bicep.

Knox snugged his coffee closer to him, cupping it like a life raft. “It’s nothing.”

“Nothin’ wouldn’t have you looking like Eeyore just lost Pooh in the woods.”

Another town elder approached. He’d learned never to call them anything but elders after sweet tea was poured over his head for saying geriatrics. “Is this a private chat, or can I join you?” Mrs. Malter, the tea-pouring lady, sat down before anyone could answer.

“Sure, we were just talking about him yearning for a girl.”

“You mean Jacqueline?” Mrs. Malter covered her mouth with oversized round knuckles.

Davey grunted. “You’re behind on town news. How do I know more than you?”

Knox took a long gulp from his coffee, downing it as fast as he could instead of savoring it.

“Who, then?” Mrs. Malter dropped her hands to the table and smiled scary wide. The woman had big teeth.

“Stella,” Davey said with the movement of a mechanical circus ringmaster who needed oiling of his joints.

“No!” Melba came over, and Knox looked to the door, but before he had a chance to make his escape, the woman put her hand around his arm in a vise grip. The old people in Sugar Maple were eerily strong.

Knox managed to slip his phone from his pocket under the table and text Lori since the elders were too busy arguing over his love life to notice. He knew better than to insult them or he’d pay a great price. No way he’d get tar and southernized like Drew had done voluntarily. The vision of him walking into the town square with leaves and maple syrup covering him still haunted Knox.

“So who is it?” Davey smacked his hand to the tabletop.

Knox thought about lying or telling them that he indeed thought Stella was interesting, but he only shook his head.

“Care to make a wager? I’ll put a twenty that says it’s Jacqueline.” Mrs. Malter rapped her knuckles on the tabletop.

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