DEUCE (JAX DIAMOND MYSTERIES Book 3) by Gail Meath

Author:Gail Meath [Meath, Gail]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: Cranberry Pond Publishing
Published: 2022-09-20T00:00:00+00:00

17

Squabbles

By the time Jax returned to the bonfire, the crowd had thinned out. It seemed the elderly folks and little tykes had retired, leaving behind those who were around his and Laura’s age. A group of local musicians had gathered under the canvas tent, and they played a snappy, ragtime tune with several people dancing to the music. The band reminded him of the street musicians in the city who were rather good and attracted a crowd, especially in areas of the Bowery.

It didn’t take him long to find Laura and her congregation of friends. And he was just as pleased as punch to see Peter standing beside her. Yet Ace sat on the other side of her, keeping a keen eye on his nemesis.

Billy had finally made an appearance and, as Violet had sneered earlier, Jeanie’s arm was tightly roped in his. And if she moved any closer to him, it would have been indecent. Caroline stood next to Tommy, and although he kept his hands to himself, her blue eyes twinkled with adoration in the firelight as she stared at him.

Luckily, Violet and her apparently tone-deaf husband stood a distance across from Jeanie within their little circle. And not only did Violet’s voice screech above all others, but he could just imagine the petty darts that had been thrown back and forth in the conversation between her and Jeanie. Seeing them all together almost made him glad that he had never attended a traditional public school.

“Hey, Pete, good to see you out of uniform for once. No crooks to catch tonight?” he greeted, throwing a few darts of his own while nudging between him and Laura.

Peter looked ready to blow his top. “It’s getting too hot around here. I’ll see everyone tomorrow at the festival.” He threw his hand up in a wave and left.

Laura held in a snicker and gently elbowed Jax.

He glanced around at the others. “You’ve got a great hotel in town,” he said loudly enough for them to hear. “Did you know they leave the guests a little token of appreciation by their door after their arrival? It was quite a surprise.” He watched Tommy’s reaction first, and as always, he avoided any direct eye contact with him. Billy, on the other hand, confused him. He appeared distracted and not at all interested in what he’d just said. “So, what did I miss while I was gone?”

“The owner of the Colonial is married to my mother’s cousin,” Violet chimed in. “Anthony and his wife live on the east side of town in a beautiful home. Now that Earl will make more money at the bank, we’re thinking about moving to their neighborhood.”

“Good for you,” Jeanie hissed back.

Caroline quickly changed the subject. “We were trying to convince Laura to sing a few songs tonight, Jax. We’re all so very proud of her and you, too, Jeanie. It took a lot of courage for you to leave Millbury and follow your dreams.”

Laura smiled at her. “That’s very sweet of you.

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