Book of Days_ A Novel - James L. Rubart [16]
"Thanks, I appreciate all the help."
"No problem, young Cameron." Kirk attempted another smile. "Anything else you want to know before we say good-bye?"
Should he tell this guy the real reason he was here? Kirk Gillum wasn't exactly heating up the hardware store with his warmth. But what could it hurt?
"I want to talk about my dad."
"Your dad?"
"He lived here till he was nine."
Kirk rubbed his chin. "Interesting. It is indeed a small world. Is this the first time you've visited Three Peaks?"
Cameron nodded. "First time."
"And you wanted to see where he spent his early years? Is that what this history thing is about?"
"That and hopefully a little bit more."
"More?" Kirk leaned back and folded his arms again.
"My dad died eight years ago, but before he did, he said something strange. His mind was gone at the time so I didn't pay much attention then. But some recent . . . circumstances have made me think again about what he said and take it a little more seriously."
"And what did he say?" Kirk titled his head.
"That I needed to find the day's book. I have to find out if it exists."
"The day's book? Hmm . . . ?" Kirk squeezed the tip of his tongue between his lips and looked like he'd taken a bite of lemon pie without any sugar.
"Does that mean anything to you?"
The mayor stared at him with a condescending smile. "Don't take this the wrong way, Cameron, but why in the world would you want to go searching for something like that? Trust me, leave it alone."
"So it does mean something to you."
"Of course it means something to me, or I wouldn't have suggested you drop it." Kirk stood and strolled toward the front door of the store. "But since I'm one of the friendliest people you'll meet in this town, young Cameron, I'll say it again. You might consider just leaving it alone."
Cameron planted his hands on his hips. "Mind telling me why?"
"You are a free citizen and can do whatever you want within the confines of the law." Kirk pushed open the front door. "But I do hate to see anyone in my town, especially a fine new friend, waste his time chasing down some fairy tale that is none of his business when he could be out doing so many other interesting things." He motioned through the door toward Cameron's car. "Thanks for coming by."
Cameron took the not-so-subtle hint and walked out. He climbed into his car and fell back in his seat.
Until that moment, he hadn't given his dad's and Jessie's words more than a fifty-fifty chance of having any validity. No longer.
A fairy tale? Not to Kirk it wasn't. So what was this book?
Cameron pulled Gillum's list out of his pocket. Time to meet quirky Arnold Peasley.
CHAPTER 5
What are you still doing here?"
Ann Banister looked up from her desk to find Drew Silster standing in the doorway of her office, arms spread to both sides of the door frame, his eyes twinkling behind his squared-off glasses. Good boss. Good friend.
"I was plowing through a few e-mails and wrapping up a few last-minute details," Ann said.
"You mean you were stalling?"
"You're funny." Ann smiled. "I mean I was wrapping up a few details."
"Anything I can do for you while you're gone?"
She shut down her e-mail. "Yes. You could pray for my trip. I'll need it."
"Excellent suggestion. I'll get started on that as soon as I figure out how that whole prayer thing works." Drew stroked his chin. "When you get back, I've got a stupendously stellar story for you to work on."
"That's the twentieth time you've used that line this year." Ann leaned back in her chair and folded her hands across her dark blue Nike jacket. "And it's only July. You're addicted to alliteration."
"I can't believe I'm giving you three weeks off in a row."
"Sure you can, I've earned it." Ann grinned. "And you love me."
"True. And so do they." Drew stepped inside and pointed at a map of the United States on the far wall of Ann's office. "Did you see