True believer - Nicholas Sparks [22]
“Ah,” Jeremy said in response, as if he were up on all the goings-on in town. “Makes sense.”
For a moment, neither of them said anything. In the lull, he glanced at his watch.
“I suppose you need to be going,” Doris said.
He reached for the recorder and shut it off before sliding it back into his jacket. “Probably. I wanted to swing by the library before it closes to see what it has to offer.”
“Well, lunch was on me. It’s not often that we have a famous visitor come by.”
“A brief appearance on Primetime doesn’t make a person famous.”
“I know that. But I was talking about your column.”
“You’ve read it?”
“Every month. My husband, bless his heart, used to tinker in the garage and he loved the magazine. And after he passed, I just didn’t have the heart to cancel the subscription. I sort of picked up where he left off. You’re a pretty smart fellow.”
“Thanks,” he said.
She stood from the table and began leading him from the restaurant. The remaining patrons, only a few now, looked up to watch them. It went without saying that they’d heard every word, and as soon as Jeremy and Doris had stepped outside, they began to murmur among themselves. This, everyone immediately decided, was exciting stuff.
“Did she say he’d been on television?” one asked.
“I think I’ve seen him on one of those talk shows.”
“He’s definitely not a doctor,” added another. “I heard him talking about a magazine article.”
“Wonder how Doris knows him. Did you happen to catch that?”
“Well, he seemed nice enough.”
“I just think he’s plain old dreamy,” offered Rachel.
Meanwhile, Jeremy and Doris paused on the porch, unaware of the stir they’d caused inside.
“I assume you’re staying at Greenleaf?” Doris inquired. When Jeremy nodded, she went on. “Do you know where they are? They’re kind of out in the backcountry.”
“I have a map,” Jeremy said, trying to sound as if he’d been prepared all along. “I’m sure I can find it. But how about directions to the library?”
“Sure,” Doris said, “that’s just around the corner.” She motioned up the road. “Do you see the brick building there? The one with the blue awnings?”
Jeremy nodded.
“Take a left and go through the next stop sign. At the first street after the stop sign, turn right. The library’s on the corner just up the way. It’s a big white building. Used to be the Middleton House, which belonged to Horace Middleton, before the county bought it.”
“They didn’t build a new library?”
“It’s a small town, Mr. Marsh, and besides, it’s plenty big. You’ll see.”
Jeremy held out his hand. “Thank you. You’ve been great. And lunch was delicious.”
“I do my best.”
“Would you mind if I come back with more questions? You seem to have a pretty good handle on things.”
“Anytime you want to talk, you just come by. I’m always available. But I will ask that you don’t write anything that makes us look like a bunch of bumpkins. A lot of people—me included—love this place.”
“All I write is the truth.”
“I know,” she said. “That’s why I contacted you. You have a trustworthy face, and I’m sure you’ll put the legend to bed once and for all in the way it should be done.”
Jeremy raised his eyebrows. “You don’t think there are ghosts out at Cedar Creek?”
“Oh, heavens no. I know there’s no spirits there. I’ve been saying that for years, but no one listens to me.”
Jeremy looked at her curiously. “Then why did you ask me to come down?”
“Because people don’t know what’s going on, and they’ll keep believing until they find an explanation. You see, ever since that article in the paper about the people from Duke, the mayor has been promoting the idea like crazy, and strangers have been coming from all over hoping to see the lights. To be honest, it’s causing a lot of problems—the place is already crumbling and the damage is getting worse.”
She trailed off for a moment before continuing. “Of course, the sheriff won’t do anything