Chapter 57
CHAPTER FIFTY-SEVEN
The sun shone high in the sky when Pete pulled into the nearly full parking lot. Both he and his brother sat there a moment, their mouths agape. Hunter said, “Are you sure this is it?”
Pete shrugged. “The GPS says we’re here.”
The sign said The Moondust Motel , but this building didn’t resemble what they remembered at all. The parking lot was now concrete, and the exterior of the building looked almost new, with brick facing and white shutters on either side of the windows. The last room on the end had a sign above the doorway that said Kristy’s Retreat Center . The landscaping on either side was lush, with birdbaths and statuary. It was downright charming. Hard to believe they were in the same place. They’d somehow entered a wormhole into another dimension and found an alternate version of the motel.
The previous week the brothers had looked up the place online, just for the heck of it, and when they heard it was now a premier destination for those seeking a break from the hustle and bustle of life, they had to see it for themselves.
Hunter had read the description from the website: “Leave your worries behind and visit the labyrinth garden, the perfect spot for contemplative walking. Sit through a guided meditation with Miss Kristy. Attend the evening drum circle and experience stress reduction and social connections. After a visit at the Moondust Motel, you’ll feel relaxed, renewed, and rejuvenated.”
Pete said, “Sounds like a load of crap to me.”
Hunter had agreed. “Do you think Nolan knows about this?”
“That loser? Who knows?” Nolan had cut them off ever since the whole Dana Broderick thing. He’d driven them home that night but wouldn’t even talk to them in the car. Not one word. When they got to their apartment complex, he’d pulled into the lot, stopped the car, and pointed at the building like some kind of insane mime.
They couldn’t figure out why he was so mad. All of it had gone well, even if she had shortchanged them money-wise. But that was Nolan. Unlike them, he was sensitive. They’d thought they could talk him through it, but he’d blocked their calls, and eventually he’d moved out of his apartment. No forwarding address.
Well, screw him. As always, they had each other. And they weren’t too worried about Nolan. Given time, he’d come around again. He always did.
They’d looked up reviews on the Moondust Motel and were shocked at all the compliments.
The owner, Ian, couldn’t have been more accommodating. He arranged for a local guide to take us fishing, and when we brought back our catches, he cleaned the fish and helped us pack them in our cooler for the trip home.
Kristy did an excellent job leading our private meditation session. She’s so spiritual!
The rooms were beautiful and spotless! Kudos to the cleaning staff, a friendly couple named Ronald and Martha.
Walking through the labyrinth garden was like being in a dream. It’s a must-see, especially at night.
Don’t forget to book a foot massage with Ian! He’s the best.
They’d read all of the reviews aloud, and when they were finished, both of them agreed it would be hilarious to spend a night there.
Hunter said, “But if we’re really gonna do it, we do all of it—the garden-thingy and the meditating and the drum circle.”
“Oh yeah.” Pete nodded. “Especially the drum circle.” They’d both laughed so hard their sides had ached.
* * *
Behind the front desk, Ian looked up as two men exited their car. One of them had hair down to his shoulders, the other had a shaved head, and both of them had mirrored aviator sunglasses. They looked vaguely familiar, but then again, most disreputable types looked the same.
In a minute, they’d be inside and he’d have to put up a happy front. Oh, how he hated interacting with guests. Having to pretend he existed to carry out their wishes, forced to bow and scrape to lesser people. Every day he thought of his last conversation with his sister and imagined it going differently. Why hadn’t he refused her offer? He knew why. It was either this or jail. They’d been at her mercy. And now he had so many regrets. Too many to name. Most of all, he wished he hadn’t so readily agreed to the terms of her proposal.
The two lowlifes came through the door and leaned on the front desk in a way that made him uncomfortable.
Ian forced his lips into a smile and said the dreaded required words. “Good day, gentlemen. Welcome to the Moondust Motel.” Reflexively, his eyes widened. “I’m your host, Ian Broderick, here to serve you.”
After the two guys exchanged a grin, the one with the shaggy hair bobbed his head and said, “Now, that’s what we like to hear.”
* * *