Gunpowder Chowder by Lyndsey Cole Page A

in the road and I’ve decided to take it.”
    Meg’s forehead wrinkled. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
    Hannah left a ten dollar bill on the table and slid off the bar stool. “Either path will lead me to something new and I’m staying in Hooks Harbor, taking the path to get Caroline’s business back on its feet. Are you coming too?”
    Meg took the money and stuffed it into Hannah’s pocket. “I’m beginning to see a sparkle of Caroline in you. Of course I’m coming. I’m not going to miss this exciting ride.” She slapped her hand on the bar. “Hey, Michael, tonight’s on me. Add our drinks to my tab.” Leaning close to Hannah’s ear, she whispered, “He never makes me pay.”
    Michael waved to his sister as Meg and Hannah left the bar.
    The crisp night air revived Hannah and cleansed most of the stale smoke from her lungs. “Interesting place, Meg.”
    “Interesting—such a safe word. Say what you really mean!”
    “Okay,” she raised one finger and counted off, “smelly, funky, dark, and dingy, with a touch of down to earth atmosphere.” She glanced sideways at Meg. “How’s that work for you?”
    Meg laughed. “Much better. You nailed all the best qualities of the Pub and Pool Hall.”
    “No, I thought it was the ub and Poo All .” Hannah exaggerated the words. She was definitely feeling relaxed and was enjoying herself more than she probably should be.
    “You crack me up. Just like Caroline used to. Boy, do I miss her, but,” Meg bumped her hip into Hannah, “you’re on your way to filling her shoes.”
    Meg dropped Hannah off at her cottage. When Hannah looked at Jack’s house, a light was still shining through the edges of the curtains. Was he still up? She decided to walk over and knock softly. He’d either hear her or not. Hannah wanted to bring Nellie back to her cottage for company.
    The quiet sound of conversation seeped through the front door. Hannah knocked. Nellie woofed. The conversation stopped and the door opened.
    Jack’s shoulders sagged but he invited Hannah in.
    “I hope I didn’t wake you up.” She looked around to see who he had been talking to but discovered it was only the T.V. flickering silently.
    “Can’t sleep. Did you come for Nellie?”
    “If you don’t mind. I like the company, especially at night.”
    A slight grin formed at the edge of Jack’s lips. “I knew she was the right dog for you. Do you want to sit for a few minutes? Tell me about your evening with Meg?”
    Hannah made herself comfortable, suspecting Jack was the one who wanted to talk about what was on his mind, but she didn’t pry. Instead, she entertained him with her visit to the ub and Poo all which actually got a laugh from him.
    “I warned you about that place.”
    She nodded. “But I got some info about Vern having a girlfriend.”
    Jack waved that information off with a flick of his wrist. “Everyone knew that. He and Kelley were as good as divorced anyway.”
    Hannah leaned forward. “Did you know that’s why he rented the cottage from Caroline? That’s where they would rendezvous.”
    “Odd. I never saw his car parked at the cottage.” Jack jumped up. “There’s another way in. It would involve a short walk, but a car, or even two, could easily be hidden from spying eyes.”
    “Just what I want to hear. Now I’ll have to sleep with Caroline’s shotgun under my pillow. Only problem is, Pam took the gun.”
    “Don’t worry so much.” Jack paced back and forth across his small living room. “Shall I walk you home?” he offered, revealing his own worries about Hannah’s safety.
    Hannah took the hint. Jack wasn’t going to share anything but, at least, he provided a clue to why she never heard anyone drive to the cottage on her first night. That had been puzzling her. She never considered herself a sound sleeper but nothing disturbed that first night’s sleep. The crashing waves lulled her to sleep better than any sleeping pill and Nellie never barked