CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
Lake Howling turned on a stunning day for the race. Sun hit the water making it gleam like a polished diamond, and sat high in the sky as the spectators found vantage points to watch the first annual Recycled Boat Race.
Newman stood with Cubby at the start line discussing what was happening with the Wildlife people, and their stolen property.
“Without evidence, I can’t and won’t charge Hope, Newman. And last night she let me look around her house, because Ms. Linear would have camped out in my office if I hadn’t.”
“Come on, Cubby, really? Why are you letting that bitch push you around?” Newman felt his pulse rise, and the race hadn’t even started.
“Hope understands that I believe her innocent, but I have to be seen to be doing things right while at the same time, Katie and I are looking for whoever is really doing this.”
“Jesus, Cubby, Hope doesn’t need this shit now.”
“I know it, but what I really need is for you to keep calm, and we’ll all get through this. Now I have to go and do sheriffing stuff, so stay out of trouble.”
Newman watched his friend walk away, weaving his way through the people. Cubby and Macy were judges, and Willow wanted to sketch, so she hadn’t entered. The locals had turned out, some to watch, others to enter their boats. A few people had come in from out of town to join the fun.
“Not sure why these others are bothering,” Noah said, lowering their boat into the water. Like Newman, he wore board shorts.
He and Newman had tested it several times under the cover of darkness. It had held their weight, thankfully.
“You know that’s not going to hold your combined bulk, don’t you?”
Newman flipped Tex the bird as he and Brad arrived, with John Finch on their heels. Around his neck he had his camera. Cubby had told him the man had offered to take photos of the day for free. Newman thought that a very generous offer now he knew about Ingrid, John’s girlfriend.
The brothers were wearing shorts with the Texan flag on their butt, and Longhorns caps. Their boat was more a raft with a sail. It had several branches bound together with rope, but looked sturdy enough. The Texan flag fluttered from a pole at the rear.
“Where you guys from?”
Brad bared his teeth at Newman by way of an answer.
“Not a very creative entry, it has to be noted, Cub,” Jake said, arriving with Buster. Both wore aprons. On their heads were chefs’ hats. Their entry was a large muffin, complete with frosting. It was made of cardboard. “Whereas ours… now, it’s a masterpiece.”
“It’s a muffin,” Buster added.
“No shit,” Newman said. Written on the side were the words Mystery Muffin.
“You,” Buster waved a spatula at him that Newman guessed was an oar, “are going to eat our dust.”
“Or wake, as we’re on the water.”
“Hey, sweetie.” Newman kissed Rose, and shook Billy’s hand as they arrived at the water’s edge with Willow.
“My mom’s judging,” Billy said.
“An important job, bud.”
“Heads up, the womenfolk have arrived.”
Following Cubby’s gaze, the men watched Annabelle and Branna walk down the bank. They carried their boat, and it looked like one made of paper, complete with newspaper on the outside. They wore sailor hats, little white skirts, and sailor tops.
“They should win simply for the hotness factor,” Jake said.
“Amen,” Tex said. “I hope that’s not heavy,” he added, looking at his wife.
“I bet she loves it when you get all clucky with her,” Noah said.
“She punched me last night, because I told her that putting out the trash wasn’t good for her. My chin has a black bruise on it today.”
Newman smiled, but it fell away as he saw Hope arrive.
“Jesus!”
She and Faith wore tutus and pink bikini tops. She was showing off vast amounts of lush flesh, and he wasn’t entirely comfortable with that fact. He knew she was hot, but didn’t like anyone else knowing it. She usually hid her body in those hideous clothes he was coming to like.
Noah whistled, and Newman only just stopped himself from pummeling him.
“Well, well, well, who knew she could look that hot.”
“Seriously, you are one word away from my fist.”
Noah smiled, and kept right on looking.
Mikey wore a blue captain’s jacket over shorts. On his head was a cap. Their boat was cardboard and painted blue with little white portholes on the side, and a red stripe.
“You got safety boats on the water, Cub?”
“Yes, Newman.”
“Life vests are compulsory, right?”
“Yes, Newman, I’ll ensure your girl has a life vest on.”
Newman didn’t care that Cubby’s tone was condescending. Hope was important to him, and she carried his child. He needed to know she was safe.
He watched her walk down the hill, following the sway of her tutu-clad hips. Memories of her dancing at Walt and Lizzie’s filled his head. The woman was like a butterfly coming out of a chrysalis. Every time he saw her, she was changing.
“Paul, I’d like to speak with you.”
And just like that he was tense. Looking at his father, he wondered what he was going to say to piss him off now.