They All Had A Secret: A betrayal. A deception. A tragedy. A murder. (They All Had A Reason. Book 2) by Michele Leathers

Author:Michele Leathers [Leathers, Michele]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: EMAR Publishing
Published: 2021-02-17T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 27

Roy

I’ve heard conflicting reports on the news. Some of the experts are predicting we’ll experience the worst flood in recorded history, while others believe it will be similar to what we experienced five years ago. Either way, we’re definitely in for some trying days ahead.

I sense that Grandma is anxious, not because we’re in danger of flooding up here on the mountain, but because we’ll have a hotel full of desperate, scared, and possibly angry or hostile hotel guests. The same is true for the campground. The gamut of emotions the guests will experience is unpredictable, which means their actions and behavior will be too. We learned last time it flooded that people can lose their patience, along with common courtesy and decency.

I’m watching Grandma as she reads over the list of people who will be checking in today. She’s reacting unfavorably to almost every one of them. She’s eye rolling, groaning, cursing, mumbling. Being a lifelong resident of Chehalis, she personally knows a majority of them, and for those who she doesn’t know, she’s asking me if I know them. That’s why she wants me here right now, so she can ask me about the unfamiliar names. But I don’t personally know every guest on the list. I've been trying to tell her that. We know basically all the same people.

Grandma reaches for a bag of Hershey Kisses, unwraps one and pops it into her mouth. Suddenly a frown forms on her face. She’s glaring at the computer screen, pointing at a name. Pam and Todd Sims. I’m the one who made this reservation. I’m the one she’s going to be mad at.

“What? Why did you allow them to make a reservation? They can’t stay here. . . .” Grandma starts spewing out one of the longest strings of curse words I’ve ever heard come out of her mouth. “Mr. and Mrs. Sims?” she shouts. “I told you not to ever let them stay here!” She begins unwrapping another piece of chocolate but gets frustrated that it’s taking too long and reaches for her bag of M&M’s. After eating a handful, she peers at me with accusing eyes. “Why?”

I’m tapping my pen on the counter and just now realized I’m doing it. I set the pen down and take a deep breath. “I’m sorry. It’s just that when Mr. Sims called, he sounded really desperate, like he was on the verge of tears. Since we had a room available, I went ahead and gave it to him.”

“You know I have banned them!”

“Yeah, but you never told me why. All you have ever said is that they aren’t allowed to stay here.”

“I’m going to call them to cancel--”

I pick up the phone before she does and move it out of her reach. “It wouldn’t be right to leave them without a place to stay on such short notice.”

She grumbles under her breath, and I can’t understand what she’s saying, which I’m sure she’s aware of. When she starts playing

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