‘  don’t  know  when  or  how   i  inadvertently  became  the  inn’s  wedding  planner  . . .  ’  she  trails  off,  gesturing  at  the  abundance  of  flowers  that  litter  the  front  desk  and  pointedly  distract  her  from  getting  any  actual  work  done,  ‘  you  want  a  bouquet  of  fresh  daisies  ?  go  right  ahead,  it  seems  like  we’ve  got  a  million  of  ‘em  coming  in.  ’  

“nowhere to hide in a town like this,” darry’s tone is bored, if not indistinct. contrary to his badge, the sentiment hardly reads as a threat. “except in plain sight.” he’s leaned back in a bench, arm stretched over the back like he’s fixing to take a nap. given the styrofoam coffee cup diluted with vodka he’s nursing in his other hand, it seems like a nap could be likely. despite the vantage of main street, locals walk by without a second look. too busy going about their evenings. digits flourish, an invitation accentuated by a deadpanned smile. “care to fade into obscurity?”

Then she turns, and sees someone else ready to make their order. “Sorry about the wait, what can I getcha?” 

“-- and what do you think you’re doing out so late?”

the  merriment  of  the  summer  bash  sweeps  main  street  in  a  particularly  warm  swell,  and  despite  her  night  owl  inclinations,  she’s  been  roped  into  a  bit  of  her  own  fun:  face  painting,  proceeds  going  to  the  local  animal  shelter.  ‘  c’mon,  i  promise  you’ll  enjoy  yourself,  ’  she  beams  to  the  nearest  potential  patron,  already  whipping  out  the  fresh  puppy  dog  eyes  and  promising  grin,  ‘   -----   it’s  for  a  good  cause.  whatever  you  want,  i’ll  draw  it.  ’

She’d been looking down to change her song when she noticed it, the small wallet sitting on the hot sidewalk. Squatting down, she picked it up and held it in their direction. “I think you dropped this.”