Page 69 of The Fire

O’Leary needed me? Ha. That was a new one.

I took a deep breath, then pushed off the truck and crossed the street to O’Leary Hardware.

The door opened with the jangle of old-fashioned bells just as my feet hit the sidewalk, and Lina Davenport walked out, clutching her purse strap.

“And I told Macarena that if he didn’t stop being so naughty, he… Oh! Hello, Parker!” She stopped short and gave me a wide smile.

Theo Ross emerged from the door behind her, an enormous bag of birdseed thrown over one shoulder.

“Hey, Ms. Davenport,” I said pleasantly. “Hey, Theo.”

“Parks,” Theo said, nodding. “How’s it going?”

“I was just telling young Theodore,” Ms. Davenport said, “that I’m having a little birthday party a week from Sunday, and absolutelyeveryoneis invited. I’ll be serving snacks and drinks.”

“Oh? That sounds nice. Happy birthday!”

“It’s not for me, silly! It’s for Macarena. My cockatoo,” she continued, when I looked at her blankly. “He loves parties! And presents. He has a gift registry set up at the pet store in Rushton.”

I looked at Theo who was glancing skyward and trying not to laugh.

“Right. Yes. Of course he does,” I said smoothly. I forced a smile, thinking to myself that if Jamie and I didn’t have plans next Sunday, I was going to make us some real quick. “That sounds… amazing!”

“Oh,Parker!” she gasped, eyes widening. “I just remembered! You’re achef!”

“I—” I made the mistake of looking at Theo again, and found him still fighting laughter. “I suppose I am.”

“You’re just the person I need! What do you know about making treats with seeds?” she demanded, wide-eyed.

“Oh. Uh. Not much.” I admitted.

“I’m buying forty pounds of premium birdseed, and I need hors d’oeuvres!”

I glanced at the giant bag Theo was carrying. “For… for humans? Or birds? Because I don’t know if I’m qualified to make bird treats.”

“Oh, Parker,” she said, shaking her head in fond exasperation. “Of course. I’ll be giving you a call later to discuss options! Toodles!” She waggled her fingers and kept walking down the sidewalk.

“Does she realize she didn’t answer the question?” I whispered to Theo.

Theo snickered. “Bet you never got asked to do shit like this in Boston, huh?”

“Theodore!” Ms. Davenport called imperiously. “Come on!”

Theo settled the bag more firmly on his shoulder with a little grunt and rolled his eyes at me before following her to her car.

I shook my head as I pushed open the door to the hardware store. No, it was safe to say I’d never been asked to plan bird hors d’oeuvres in Boston. But, fucked up as it was—and itwasfucked up—I kinda liked it. It was like being part of a very strange, very extended family, and it was as different from my existence in Boston as carrots were from carrot cake.

“Morning, Hen,” I said strolling up to the counter.

Henry Lattimer, who’d been running the store longer than I’d been alive, jumped to his feet from the stool he’d been perched on, like he wanted to hide the fact that he’d been sitting. “Parker. How’s that new soil working out for ya?”

I grinned. “It’s only been a week, but the plants seem to enjoy it. Thanks for ordering it for me.”

Henry waved away my thanks. “Never a problem. Easiest thing in the world. What can I do for ya today?”

“I’m here for some paint.” I pulled a paint chip from my pocket and placed it on the countertop. “A gallon ofPepper.”

Hen took the chip and studied it for a second. “Dark grey, eh?”