Chapter 26 #3
“Does this town need so many scarecrows?” Giovanni muses. “There’ll be more scarecrows than people.”
I make a sound that’s half laugh and half sigh, and he nudges me with his shoulder. “We’ll each have one we can carry around with us. Maybe someone will make a horror movie about it. The scarecrows can take over the town.”
I’m smiling as I scan the tables, looking for the Evergreens & Apples sign.
Giovanni nods to the left of the gate. “There they are.”
The nonnas are sitting behind a display of gourds, bagged apples, and baked goods, and Emily is parked behind a small display a few tables down from them with a stack of hats and plenty of books.
A few people are milling around the Evergreens & Apples booth, some daring to ask the nonnas about their baked goods.
We start veering off the main path and walk toward my family, Giovanni’s hand still wrapped around mine.
“Hopefully, Emily will sell out of ‘Smut Slut’ hats,” he murmurs, “and no one will be able to find me anymore. It’ll be like playing Where’s Waldo at a striped shirt factory.”
I start waving to them, trying to get their attention, when a familiar voice calls my name.
I’m already gritting my teeth as I turn to look at Rhett, and I start to grind them when I see that he’s not alone. He’s standing beside a man with a mustache that resembles a bottle brush and a camera strapped around his neck.
“Bianca, we need to talk,” Rhett says, his expression full of fake sympathy. My heart pulses a warning. I can think of nothing I’d like to discuss with him, particularly not while being witnessed by a reporter who would probably have something to say if I bludgeoned my ex-fiancé in the head.
“Oh?” Giovanni says, wrapping an arm around me and pulling me to him. “What is it this time? Would you like us to host a private dinner at your home? Or perhaps an art class? I know how to draw one thing.”
Rhett’s laughter is full of dislike. “Maybe, but look…”He shifts his attention to me, his face pulling into an expression of false compassion.
“I’m so sorry to have to do this, Bianca, but we’re going to have to put you on suspension pending a full investigation of the fire.
You understand. I’ve been getting concerned emails and calls.
I love all of our silver apple residents, and I can’t in good conscience put them in jeopardy.
You’ll be paid, of course, until the investigation has been completed. ”
“You’re firing me?” I ask, hating the way my voice shakes. No doubt this is revenge for the pie bake-off.
“He’s not,” Giovanni all-but growls. “Even he wouldn’t be that foolish.”
Rhett steals a glance at the presumed reporter next to him, who’s picking at his mustache and seeming completely unconcerned with my employment prospects. “It’s my duty to protect the senior citizens of this town.”
“Is that why the fire alarm didn’t go off until after the fire was extinguished?” Giovanni asks.
Mustache Man perks up, finally interested, and Giovanni adds, “And why the sprinkler system wasn’t working?”
“You should probably look into those things in your investigation too,” Mustache Man says helpfully, nodding at Rhett.
“You may also want to have someone investigate the slop they call food,” Giovanni says.
“Surely your silver apples deserve better. I’ll be in touch with you about it early next week.
I would be willing to help retrain the kitchen staff.
There are plenty of healthy meal options that taste like actual food. ”
I become the gooey inside of a toasted marshmallow, all sugar and fluff, as I peer up at him. Giovanni means it. He’s not a man who makes hollow promises. He may have plenty of shine, but so do the sweetest apples.
“Of course.” Rhett smooths a hand down the front of his button-up shirt before shifting his resentful stare to me. “One week off. As an official reprimand.”
“Do you have another RN to cover for me?” I ask.
“Of course,” he says stiffly, then turns and gestures toward Mustache Man. “But I’ve been rude—”
“Recognizing it is the first step,” Giovanni interjects, pulling me closer.
Rhett’s nostrils flare, but otherwise he ignores the barb.
“Allow me to introduce my new friend Christopher, who writes for The Asheville Gazette. He’s very interested in hearing about your love for Apple Ridge, Giovanni.
Of course, you’ll have a lot to tell him about your big Mr. October win and all of the exciting festivities coming up. ”
He hesitates, his gaze drifting to Giovanni’s “Smut Slut” hat. “I actually thought we agreed you’d wear your crown.”
“I’ll wear it to the next one.”
“See that you do,” he says with a sneer. “We want everyone to know how much you enjoy your role here in town.”
The threat is obviously there, buried beneath a mound of bullshit. Tell him you love this place, or your girlfriend loses her job. Tell him you never want to leave, or I’ll bury Evergreens & Apples.
“Bianca and I would be delighted,” Giovanni says. “In fact, there are a couple of people we’d love to introduce you to.”