Riding the Thunder - Deborah MacGillivray [90]
“Okay, so what does being near Bue-nah Vista have to do with what I asked?”
“We followed the river coming to the lock. It snakes around and around, miles to ride down, but not that far as the crow flies. That’s one of the highest peaks in the area, hence the name. You can see the river in the distance from the highway, right there at the turn off. If I recall correctly, farms are there.”
“Then you wouldn’t have much trouble getting up there on that last knoll before the cliffs?”
“You’d have to walk through the woods.” Asha turned to look over her shoulder at him. “Why? You’re thinking of buying that, too?”
“Now, be nice.” He shrugged. “I noticed a reflection up there. A flash. I wondered what was up there, how easily you can access it.”
“A reflection?”
He nodded faintly. He stayed, holding her in the embrace, watching the river. After a couple minutes, he said, “There.”
Asha had to blink the tears from her eyes to spot it—a hard glare, like off a glass or a mirror, right at the crest of the woods. Since the afternoon sun was setting behind the cliffs, she started to use her hand to block the harsh light to see better. Jago caught her hand, preventing her from lifting it.
“Don’t.” His quiet tone was making her uneasy.
It could be anyone—a hiker, a farmer, even someone camping. With the woods and river undeveloped, it drew people hiking or canoeing. As she followed Jago down the path to the beach to pack up and leave, she pondered why she had the feeling whoever was up there was none of those things.
CHAPTER TWENTY
As Asha walked down the center isle between the booths of the restaurant, Melvin Johnson called to her over the Wednesday breakfast clatter.
“Hey, Asha, what the hell is that?” Using his fork he pointed at Sam who fed the fat cat on the glassed-in porch. “Did you get Sam a new combination garbage disposal and dishwasher?” Everyone joined Melvin in a good laugh.
“I think the thing has declared himself The Windmill’s official mascot, though he’s really Jago’s cat,” she answered, pulling a small strip of clear tape from the dispenser she carried.
“Really? Didn’t know the Brit had a cat.” Taking a sip of his coffee, Melvin watched her.
“A recent addition,” she commented with a smile.
He stabbed the yolk on his egg and then sopped it up with his toast. “Gossip says that man’s been adding a lot the past few days, buying Derek’s Shelby and then Dale’s Harley. Who’d he buy the cat from?”
She chuckled. “In this instance, I think the cat acquired him.”
“What’s with the sign?” he asked next.
“You’re full of questions this morning, Melvin.” Asha taped the corners of the plastic HELP WANTED sign to the front window. “I’m hiring a couple part-time waitresses so that you and the others will stop grousing at me about not getting service fast enough.”
“Where’s Netta? She always keeps my cup topped off.” Melvin held up his half-filled mug, letting her know it was in need of attention.
“Netta is at Juanita’s getting her hair done. Besides, she can’t do everything around here. The lass needs some helping hands. I let Rhonda go—though I am sure she’ll put it about that she walked out on me.” Asha poured coffee for Melvin. She looked out the big windows, spotting Netta’s beat-up Hyundai pull into the lot and park at the side where employees did.
“That ain’t Juanita anymore,” Melvin informed her. “She died about twenty-five years ago. The owner is Daisy Mason now; she just never changed the name of the beauty parlor since Juanita’s is sort of a local landmark in Leesburg. She bought it from Juanita’s granddaughter after her granny died. She tried for a few weeks to call it Daisy’s Wash and Curl, but everyone grumbled; she changed it back to keep them happy.”
Asha paused and considered Melvin. “You were around here back in the ’60s? Did you know Tommy Grant or Laura Valmont?”
“Yeah, I did.” He took a sip of his coffee, hesitating. “Tommy was already at UK when I went to Leesburg High. Laura was in my American History class, though I didn’t know her well. She