No. Way. “Guest information is confidential.”
Wendell rolled his eyes. “Come on, you know I know her. Just tell me where she’s staying.”
“That’s the policy.” Which he’d just made up.
“Then give me a cabin.”
“They aren’t available.”
“I came all the way from L.A. for this? This is bullshit. Where am I supposed to stay?”
“In L.A.”
“Funny.” Wendell was surly. “This place got any hotels?”
“Yes.”
Wendell scowled. “You wanna tell me where they are?”
Against his better judgment, Jack pulled out a map. He drew one circle around the town’s hotel and another around the bed-and-breakfast.
“We’re here.” He drew an X near Pearl Lake.
Wendell studied the map for several moments. He rapped twice on the counter. “Thanks, man. Tell Audra I’ll call her later.”
Jack watched the other man drag his wheeled suitcase back across the lobby and through the door. He’d dreaded the day Audra would return to L.A. It seemed L.A. had come to her.
“I heard you were thinking of pulling out of the mayoral race.” The challenge in Ramona’s tone echoed in her strides as she entered Books & Bakery’s kitchen Wednesday afternoon.
Doreen straightened from unloading the dishwasher and watched the younger woman strut to the chair at the small table in the corner. “News always travels fast in Trinity Falls.”
“I never thought I’d hear this news: Doreen Fever backs away from a fight.” Ramona sat and crossed her long dancer’s legs, readjusting the skirt of her lemon yellow summer minidress. She’d gathered her thick raven tresses into a ponytail. Her café au lait features bore the barest hint of makeup.
“I’m not afraid of Simon. I know I can beat him.”
“That’s not the fight I was talking about.” Ramona swung her top leg, letting her strappy yellow sandal dangle from her toes.
“Then what is it?”
“Leo.”
Doreen’s heart popped into her throat. She swallowed to push it back into place. “Did he ask you to talk with me?”
Ramona’s arched eyebrows lifted. “Doreen, we’re not in the fifth grade. What makes you think I’m passing notes? You’re both grown. If you want to talk with each other, just talk.”
Doreen stared absently at the white-tiled kitchen floor. “I thought he might have . . .”
“What?” Ramona prompted. “Come to his senses? Have you come to yours?”
Doreen’s gaze shot back up to meet Ramona’s. “What do you mean?”
“You said you got into this race because you care about Trinity Falls. You cared so much that you were prepared to challenge me for my job—and you know I would’ve beaten you.”
“Actually, Ramona, I don’t know that.” Doreen’s response was dry.
Ramona waved a di
smissive hand. “We can argue that another time. It’s not relevant to this discussion.”