Spark by J P Scott

Author:J P Scott [Scott, J P]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-01-30T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seventeen

I stopped in at the restaurant for a quick bite. A tour of motorhomes had stopped at the campsite across the highway and most, if not all, the tourists were grabbing lunch. Cody waved as he maneuvered between crowded tables. I took my lunch to go, paid in cash, and left a big tip.

As I drove by the office, I saw a strange car parked out front. There must be some new arrivals here as well checking in. The forest was now alive with the activity of summer. I might be called on to do more than sort through boxes after all. It was unusual for someone to drive a Mercedes up here—had someone stumbled upon the cabins by accident?

Beau was happy to see me and I tossed him a fry as I unpacked my lunch. I rounded out my poor nutrition choices by opening a bottle of sauvignon blanc and heading out to the porch to eat.

I thought about Valerie and her calmness during our conversation. Sure, it was fifteen years ago when Gray died—she had moved on, gotten remarried. Emotions surrounding the events were certainly tempered by the distance. However, Gray’s motivation for his suicide was a mystery. Deep down, the reason Gray chose to end his life had to gnaw on her. Was it really possible to resign oneself to believe that no one would ever be able to determine the truth? Maybe the novelist in me was too programmed for questions and the everyday person accepted facts as they were and moved on?

A troupe of off-road vehicles drove down the gravel road and squeals of delight broke my thought. I watched the vehicles disappear behind George’s cabin with only the billows of dust trailing behind. I noticed the new care was still parked there when it should have moved on to whichever cabin they were renting. Was Josh having problems with the check in process? Another computer glitch perhaps? Should I head down to investigate?

Beau appeared and put his head on my leg. I looked down and the ball was on the ground. I gave it a quick toss and he was off. If only humans experienced happiness so easily. Or maybe we could if we swept everything else to the side.

Eventually, Beau tired and my glass was empty. I refilled and returned to my spot on the porch with a novel to entertain me. Work seemed out of the question with all the thoughts running through my head. I snapped a selfie with the book and wine in view and sent Cody a text, “Wish you were here.”

I realized I had not posted anything to my professional social media in a while and posted the picture with the caption, “Working hard on the next book.” I hoped my fans—and my publisher—enjoyed the humor. The self-promotion piece of writing was the part I was worst at doing. Fans wanted to see pictures and blog posts while they waited for another book to hit shelves.

I set

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