Free Book of Days: A Novel by James L. Rubart Page A

on TV."
    Ann smiled. "Okay," she whispered. "I'm me. I mean, I'm her. I'm Ann. But it's not a big deal. Really."
    She paused to watch the absurdity of fame engulf the women.
    "Ahh! I knew it was you!" The brunette drilled her finger into the blonde's shoulder like a woodpecker trying to get at a beetle. "See! See! I was right."
    "Ouch! Stop it!"
    "Can I let you in on a little secret?" Ann said.
    Both women leaned in, their mouths twittering with nervous grins.
    "I'm no more special than you two, just a bit better known. Really." Ann might as well have mentioned aliens just landed in town square for all the effect her words had. The ladies nodded and kept grinning.
    By the time Ann paid for her sandwich, the women had calmed down. Thankfully the two workers behind the counter had obviously never seen her show.
    After creating a mix of Diet Mountain Dew, Cherry Coke, and raspberry iced tea, Ann waited for her two new friends to pick up their sandwiches.
    "Can I ask you a favor?"
    "Hi," the blonde said. "I mean, yes, of course."
    "I'm visiting in town for a few days and haven't connected yet with the person I'm meeting here. Do you mind if we eat together? I would love to find out a little bit more about your town."
    After almost dropping their drinks the two women agreed, and the three found a table in the back.
    "We'll introduce you to Jason Judah, absolutely for sure we will," Betty said. "He's the most spiritual man you'll ever meet and knows just about everyone in town. In fact, he's having a get-together tonight at the town hall. It's an open invitation and you'd get to meet everyone. You know what I mean? You should come."
    Veronica gave her the address and time.
    "Okay, I will." Ann noted them on her cell phone. "But for the moment, all I want to know is if there are any good swimming holes around here where the kids hang out during the summer."
    "You came all the way from Portland to find out where the local kids go for a swim?" Betty tilted her head and frowned.
    "It's pretty important to me to find out the answer." Ann reached into her purse and pulled out the picture of her mom.
    "Oh my." Veronica stared at the picture, then slid it over to Betty. A few seconds later they both scooped up their sandwiches and grabbed their drinks. "We're so sorry, Ms. Banister. We just remembered something. There's somewhere we have to be right now. Gotta go."
    Ann stared at them as they scampered out the door without looking back. Interesting. There were obviously some dark rabbit holes in Three Peaks. She looked forward to seeing how deep they went.

CHAPTER 10
    As Cameron trudged down Main Street on his way to breakfast with Jason on Thursday morning, he stared at a sign in the window of Step on the Field Sports that reminded him of Jessie. It said, "You gotta believe! The Outlaws will take State this fall!"
    Three months after they'd started dating, Jessie had stood on the top of Mount Si thirty miles east of Seattle, gazing at the miles of trees laid out in front of them like a patchwork green carpet.

    "Looking at this splendor, you just gotta believe." She turned to him, eyes lit up like diamonds reflecting morning sun.
    "In what?"
    "Something and Someone greater than yourself."
    "What do you believe in, Jess?"
    "I haven't told you enough already?" She laughed. "God loves you, you know." Jessie took his hands. "What about you? What do you believe in?"
    "Us."
    "Me too." She snuggled into his chest as he watched an eagle canter on the winds that swirled up the side of the mountain.
    "That's it? No more questions? Aren't you supposed to try to save me?"
    "That isn't in my job description." Jessie poked him. "God handles that part."
    "So He's slackin'? I haven't felt anything yet."
    "Someday He'll reach you, Cameron. I know it." Jessie pulled back, her hazel eyes gazing into his, her countenance suddenly serious. "He's not hung up on time like we are."
    "Good to know." Cameron stroked her hair. "So there's a God and a heaven,