BoMy01 - Better Off Read by Page Nora

Author:Page, Nora [Page, Nora]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: cThriller
Publisher: Crooked Lane Books
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seventeen

“Oh dear,” Henry said. It was later that morning. He and Cleo stood on the curb, the wounded library to their right, Words on Wheels to their left, and Mr. Chaucer panting between them. It was only ten, but heat waves wiggled through humidity as thick as clouds. The air was heavy and still. Cleo’s bus, however, was rocking.

Henry and Mr. Chaucer stared at Words on Wheels with wide-eyed worry. “My,” Henry said.

“Yes,” Cleo said, thinking she had been warned. Vernon Givens had asked if she’d ever been on a party bus. Well, now she’d be driving one. Words on Wheels was filled with jubilant and likely tipsy Ladies Leaguers. Pink hats fluttered like happy birds. Laughter rolled out the open windows, punctuated by an occasional “Whooo!”

“They’ll settle down,” Cleo said, hopefully. “I’m glad they’re so excited.” She was also happy she’d made Rhett stay home. Rhett didn’t approve of rollicking.

Seven members of the Ladies League, led by Bitsy Givens, were squished aboard the bus, along with questionable accompaniments. Thermoses and flasks contained Bloody Marys and hot coffee. Baskets of buttery cheese straws made the rounds. Then there was Maybelle.

“Come on!” Maybelle yelled. She sat up front, within griping distance of the driver and the door. “Quit your flirting, Cleo Watkins, and let’s get rolling.”

“Godspeed,” Henry said gravely. Mr. Chaucer turned mournful eyes to Cleo and moaned.

Cleo climbed into her captain’s seat and waved to Henry, who gave a jaunty salute. The engine protested, coughing, then wheezing, and finally roaring to a belch. The stop sign flew out, an occasional malfunction. Cleo wrenched it back in and revved the engine until the sputtering steadied. Her passengers cheered, and Cleo raised the handy microphone and made sure everyone was buckled up, drinks stowed.

“Our first stop is the…” Cleo paused. She’d planned to visit the elementary school, but young children probably shouldn’t be exposed to rowdy philanthropists. She thought fast. “Happy Trails Retirement Village,” she announced. The Happy Trailers approved of early cocktails and were always happy to see Words on Wheels.

“Woo-hoo, Florida!” someone yelled from the back of the bus.

“I don’t want to go to Florida,” Maybelle Givens grumbled.

Cleo smiled. Yes, there was always common ground. “We’ll be sticking to the Georgia side,” she assured Maybelle and herself.

Bitsy, decked out in a lacy pink confection of a sunhat, a matching sundress, and a sunny mood took a seat beside her mother-in-law. “Oh, Mama Givens, this is gonna be such fun. I’m so glad you let me twist your arm into coming along. We’re all honorary librarians for the morning. It’s thrilling, Cleo! Just thrilling.”

It was a delight to have such happy passengers and vociferous support. Cleo felt a surge of hope. She gave the bus a boost of gas. Her passengers whooped again, and they were off.

At the Happy Trails guardhouse, Cleo pulled up and introduced everyone to Tamara. Tamara showed off her latest reading, praised Cleo’s literary advice, and got everyone cheering to the chant of “Save our library!” Cleo’s thoughts flashed to Save Our Springs and the missing Whitney Greene.

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