Chapter 31 #2
“I believe I’ll let my associates handle that question.” A grin stretched across Matty’s face as he gestured to Carson.
“Ladies and gentlemen of Cloverfield,” Carson began, waving Arnold over to join him. “It is my great honor to tell you that you are all a bunch of interfering meddlers.”
Disgruntled murmurs rippled through the crowd, laced with echoes of agreement and several snorts. “Tell us something we don’t know!”
“If it wasn’t for this man, here,” Carson patted Arnold’s shoulder, “I wouldn’t be standing in front of you all right now.”
“Thanks a lot, Arnold!” called a voice from the back of the crowd. “I’m out a hundred bucks because of you!”
“Nobody made you bet, Zane! But thank you for your contribution!” Arnold yelled back.
Glancing at Carson, he took a deep breath and stretched his spine to its full height.
“Was my asking Carson to come back to town possibly underhanded? Yes. Did I think maybe I could get him and Liz back together? Also yes.”
“You’re not a matchmaker, Arnold!” someone called out. “Stick to your day job.”
“Ah!” Arnold raised a finger. “I’m trying. In fact, that was the other reason I invited Carson back to town. To help me figure out what to do with Crawford’s.”
This time, the murmurs spreading through the crowd were more serious. “What’s going on with Crawford’s?” a middle-aged man asked.
“You’re not saying the rumors are true, are you?” Walt added.
“Is the plant in trouble?” the woman Liz had pointed out as Bea asked.
Arnold heaved a sigh.
Poor guy looked like he might throw up. Carson considered letting his uncle continue.
After all, he did deserve it based on his amateur matchmaking and his role in the betting pool.
But Carson didn’t want whatever Arnold might or might not say to harm the business in the long run, so he jumped in.
“The only trouble Crawford’s Manufacturing is having is when to announce the good news.
” He pulled out his phone and texted Liz that it was time for phase two.
“What good news?” Mullet Mel asked. “From where I’m standing, I’m not seeing a lot of positives.”
“Then you’re not looking in the right place,” Liz called out as she strode back into the fray.
Confusion rippled through the crowd, along with several people wondering if they should be videoing the inevitable fighting and a few picking their sides should a fistfight break out.
Liz locked eyes with Carson, her grin widening as she moved through the crowd. The immediate area around them cleared out like soap repelling oil as she stopped at Carson’s side and he draped an arm over her shoulder and kissed the top of her head.
“What in tarnation…?” an older man in overalls grumbled. “Ain’t that the same woman he just broke up with?”
“Maybe it’s her twin!” a muffled voice shouted from near Etta May.
“I swear,” another muffled voice said from the same area. “This town is better than a soap opera.”
Carson bit back a smile. Yes, yes it was. A week ago he would’ve seen that as a detriment, but now he saw it as a great big positive.
“The good news,” Liz said, “is that while all of you were busy sticking your big, fat noses in our business, we were busy working on solutions to some very intriguing problems.”
“Likely story!” a gruff voice shouted. “They were probably busy getting it on in the bedroom!”
“Yeah!” someone else yelled. “This was rigged! I want my money back!”
Davis held up his hands. “Nope. It’s official. Matty was declared the winner. No take-backs!”
“I promise it’s for a good cause!” Carson added, his voice raised to be heard over the crowd.
“You gonna use it for the good of the town?” Mullet Mel asked.
Carson tilted his head side to side. “No, but yes.” He glanced at Liz and continued at her nod. “It will be used to kickstart the new Digit Defender marketing campaign.”
The angry mutterings dissipated, replaced with murmurings of begrudging intrigue.
“Thanks to discussions with old friends.” Carson high-fived Matty, “and new friends.” Carson winked at Emily, whose face turned bright pink. “We have what we see as a solid plan to help usher Crawford’s through the foreseeable future.”
“You’re welcome,” Liz shouted above the excited chatter of the crowd.
“Does this mean you’re sticking around?” Walt yelled.
Had Walt asked him that question a few days ago, Carson would have replied with a quick, Hell, no. But now? The thought of leaving this all behind filled him with something he hadn’t felt in a long time—a sense of loss.
Not only of losing Liz but losing himself.
Because in coming back, he felt like he’d found himself again.
Who he really was. Where he was supposed to be.
What he really wanted. And that was to be right here, in this weird little town, surrounded by people who didn’t always stick to their own lanes, and launching himself into the next phase of his life with someone who was equally good at making him laugh, turning him on, and making his head explode.
He couldn’t wait to get started.
Carson spun Liz around, grinning at the surprise on her face, then dipped her backwards as far as his leg allowed. “You bet I’m sticking around,” he said, before covering her mouth with his.
“My eyes!” someone yelled, while Carson heard someone tell Matty he’d better start a kissing jar, too.
God, it was good to be home.