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Previous chapters of the River Road story:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
How should the story continue? Voting is open on the current chapter!
Last time, after Mrs. DeLorca explained their family pride, Mia Duomo apologized to the DeLorcas for making fun of Eben’s name. Nancy, Sarah, Isaac and Kathy discovered that Mia was in town. Miss Duomo began to talk again about buying the building on the corner of the town square. She pointedly asked who owned the building. Little did Mia know that Mrs. Conn owned that building as well as most of the property on the town square. Mrs. Conn wasn’t eager to admit that she owned the building, preferring to sell it to the DeLorcas rather than Mia Duomo. However, Mrs. Conn didn’t want to lie about it, either. What happened next? Here’s what you decided.
Chapter 3:
Wrong Way
“I’m confused.” Mia Duomo said. “And confusion is bad for the complexion. I believe I had asked who owned that lovely building on the corner.”
Nancy looked up at Mrs. Conn with questions in her eyes. Nancy knew that Mrs. Conn owned the building. Mrs. Conn owned most of the buildings on the old town square.
Mrs. Conn looked back at Nancy nervously as she thought to herself. Kitty Conn didn’t really like the idea of selling her building to Mia Duomo. She’d much have preferred that the DeLorcas bought the building. If Mia knew that Mrs. Conn owned the building, the former model would continually pester Mrs. Conn until she got what she wanted.
Nancy smiled at Mrs. Conn, aware of what her friend must have been thinking. Mrs. Conn grinned back at Nancy as if to say, “I won’t let you down.”
“Mia,” Mrs. Conn began. “I must confess. I own that building.”
“You?” Mia Duomo raised her eyebrows. “How is that possible?”
“My husband, Moss, left it to me. Just before Moss died, he bought a lot of the property on the square as an investment. Of course, I spend most of my time looking after my bakery and my bed and breakfast. However, I try to look after the other investments as best I can.” Mrs. Conn explained.
“Well, then,” Mia smiled slyly. “Just sell the building to me and you’ll never have to worry about it again. You can rest assured that in my baby-smooth, perfectly manicured, elegantly proportioned hands, your property will be well cared for.”
“Is now really the time to discuss business?” Mrs. DeLorca asked. “After all, this is a celebration in Chief Colbert’s honor, and I have to say, I’ve not even had a chance to congratulate him yet.”
“You go right ahead and do that. Mrs. Conn and I will discuss the purchase of the building. I know for a fact that there’s not a soul alive that doesn’t love the sound of my delicious voice.” Mia purred.
“I’m sorry, Mia,” Mrs. Conn shook her head. “I’m in agreement with Joan. Now’s not the time to discuss this. We can revisit the topic tomorrow morning when we’re all more rested.”
“Rested? Are you implying that I don’t look rested? Are you saying that the delicate skin under my eyes is puffy from lack of sleep?” Mia huffed.
“That’s not what I’m saying at all.” Mrs. Conn smiled nervously, remembering how easy it was to send Mia Duomo into a frenzy. “You look perfectly rested.”
“Maybe a little hungry.” Mr. DeLorca added.
“What are you saying?” Mia Duomo’s eyes widened.
“Just that you look like you could use a good wedge of pie and maybe a nice tomato.” Mr. DeLorca smiled sincerely. “Or maybe I’m thinking of me. Yes, I say, that’s more likely.”
“That’s good, darling.” Mrs. DeLorca said to her husband sweetly.
“Yes, yes, maybe we can get you a nice bucket of fish, you gorgeous creature you.” Mr. DeLorca added.
“Pardon me?” Mia Duomo smiled. “I know I’m gorgeous, but I don’t think I’m the sort to eat a bucket of bait.”
Oh, no, no. Not you.” Mr. DeLorca laughed. “I was speaking to Shakuntala.”
Shakuntala flapped her wings in agreement.
“Oh. That.” Mia raised an eyebrow.
“Her.” Mr. DeLorca corrected Miss Duomo.
“That bird is so huge. How do you carry it on your shoulder like that? Doesn’t it tire you out?” Mia Duomo asked.
“Not at all. No, no. I must say, one gets used to it and all that. In fact, I feel a bit off balance when she isn’t on my shoulder.” Mr. DeLorca explained.
“I never feel off balance.” Mia tossed her hair about. “Of course, that’s because I have such good taste in shoes.”
“Speaking of taste,” Mrs. Conn spoke quickly. “Why don’t we visit the buffet?”
“Marvelous idea.” Mr. DeLorca cheered.
“Mia, will you join us?” Mrs. Conn asked.
“No, I think not.” Mia sniffed. “I’ve already eaten.”
“We’ll see you shortly, then.” Mrs. Conn smiled. “Where are you staying?”
“The hotel by the convention center.” Mia explained. “I’d have stayed with you at your bed and breakfast, but I really needed more counter space for my make-up.”
“I understand completely.” Mrs. Conn smiled patiently.
“In fact, I’m sure it’s time to reapply. I’d best go back to the hotel.” Mia said, looking around. “I’ll come by your house tomorrow morning and we can continue our discussion.”
“Very well.” Mrs. Conn nodded. “Good night, Mia. And, welcome back to Vista Falls.”
“Thank you.” Mia said distractedly, still looking around. “Good night.”
As Mia walked off, Mrs. Conn sighed with relief. “Well, then, shall we go get a snack?”
“Oh, yes!” Mr. DeLorca said eagerly. “I say, but the old tank is a bit empty.”
“Kids?” Mrs. Conn asked.
“We’ll be right there.” Sarah spoke for the group.
“We will?” Isaac asked, wide-eyed, not interested in missing out on the food.
“We will.” Sarah said with a forced smile.
“All right,” Mrs. Conn commented suspiciously. She and the DeLorcas walked off toward the buffet.
“Why are we not eating?” Isaac whined.
“Because, we have to do something first.” Sarah answered.
“Something more important than eating?” Isaac pouted.
“Yes.” Sarah nodded. “Did you notice which direction Miss Duomo walked?”
“She walked toward the old courthouse.” Nancy answered. The old courthouse sat in the middle of the square. It had been built nearly one hundred and fifty years before and had long been empty after the city built a new courthouse on the edge of the town. The courthouse sat abandoned for years while the city leaders and Mayor Winsome decided what to do with it.
“Which is exactly the opposite direction from the new hotel.” Sarah said forcefully.
“She is still a visitor here and doesn’t know her way well. Maybe she just got turned around.” Kathy suggested.
“Or maybe she’s up to something again.” Sarah shook her head.
“But, surely Miss Duomo has changed. She was much nicer when she left here a couple of years ago.” Nancy wondered.
“Does she seem like she’s changed?” Sarah asked, and then answered her own question. “Nope. She’s the same as she always was. And, I’ll bet she’s about to do something strange again.”
“We have no proof of that.” Nancy said. “It’s unfair to judge her just because she walked the wrong direction.”
“I could think about this better if I had a snack.” Isaac sighed.
“Later, Isaac.” Sarah frowned. She looked at Nancy, “You’re right. We have no proof. But, we can get some.”
“How?” Nancy asked nervously.
“Follow her.” Sarah smiled.
“We promised Mrs. Conn we wouldn’t go off on our own any more.” Kathy shook her head.
“Mrs. Conn will never know.” Sarah frowned.
“She always knows.” Nancy smiled.
“Are we doing this or not?” Sarah snapped.
What should the others say?
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