Chapter 43
It rained for two solid days. By Friday, the rain let up, but it left the lake swollen and the ground muddy and soggy. There
was talk about postponing the tournament, but everyone on the tournament committee agreed that the festivities would go on
as planned, mud or not.
“This is ridiculous,” Jodi said, attempting and failing to pull her muck boot out of a puddle. “I feel like we’re just one
rain away from a mudslide situation.”
“It’ll be fine,” Mylie replied. “It’s tournament week!”
Jodi rolled her eyes. “We’ve got twelve food trucks coming this morning. Is the area ready for setup?”
Mylie avoided looking at Jodi. “Sure. Yes.”
“Mylie.”
“It’s almost ready.”
“What do you mean almost ?” Jodi asked.
“I mean, we’re working on it,” Mylie said. “Sheriff Oakes and Morris are working with the city to put down some gravel so
that the tires of the trucks don’t get stuck in the mud. But the gravel truck is coming from Rockbridge, and it’s running
behind because of...”
“Because of the rain,” Jodi finished. “This is a disaster.”
“It’s just a minor setback,” Mylie said. “We’ve used all the gravel we can get in town to set up for the fish fry tonight, so that’s good, right?”
“Yeah, as long as nobody sets themselves on fire like last year.”
“Granny’s eyebrows grew back just fine,” Mylie replied. “In fact, they look better than ever.”
“Have you noticed that one is a little higher than the other?” Jodi asked, quirking a smile.
“Shhhh,” Mylie said, trying to control her giggle. “She’s very sensitive about that.”
“I heard that!” Granny yelled from across the parking lot where she stood with Ben, desperately trying to erect a canopy for
Hook, Line, & Sinker.
“Looks great!” Jodi yelled back before she and Mylie dissolved into a fit of laughter.
“Hey, Mylie,” Joe said, hurrying over to her. He was carrying a clipboard and had a pencil shoved behind one ear.
“What is it, Joe?” Mylie asked, giving him her full attention. Joe took his duties as foreman at the warehouse very seriously,
which is why she’d made him essentially the foreman of the tournament. Nothing got by Joe.
“We’re missing two teams,” Joe said. “This time last year, they were all checked in.”
Mylie studied the list on the clipboard. “Well, those two teams are the farthest away,” she said, frowning. “Besides, official check-in isn’t until tomorrow morning.”
“Do you think I should call and check, just to be sure?” Joe asked.
“Would it make you feel better?”
Joe nodded. “It would.”
“Then do it,” Mylie said, giving Joe a pat on the arm. “Let me know what you find out.”
“Uh, Mylie?” Jodi’s voice was one octave below panic. “Mylie?”
Mylie tried not to scream. If she had to answer one more question. “What is it now?”
“I think your boyfriend is drowning in mud.”
“My...” Mylie looked over to the canopy. It took her a minute to realize what she was seeing. Granny was holding on to
one of the canopy ties for dear life, but Ben had seemingly disappeared. Then she saw him, face down on the ground, absolutely
covered head to toe in red clay mud. “Oh my God.”
It was hard not to laugh, even though she felt terrible for him. Once she composed herself, she hurried over to where Ben
lay prone in the mud.
“Are you okay?” Mylie asked, standing over Ben. “Come on, let me help you up.”
Ben rolled over and tried to sit up. Mylie leaned down to grab his hand, but she couldn’t get a firm grasp, her fingers slipping
through the muck. She stumbled back and landed flat on her back.
Ben tried to mumble something, but there was too much mud in his mouth... and everywhere.
Mylie stayed on her back staring up at the blue, cloudless sky. For a moment, she thought she might just stay there. The mud
was squishy and warm. She could probably sleep. Maybe if she just closed her eyes.
“We don’t have time for you to take a nap!” Joe yelled.
Mylie groaned and pulled herself into a sitting position. Then she looked at Ben and burst out laughing.