Page 48 of You Chive Me Crazy

I chuckled and held the glass up to the light, inspecting it. “I promise not to write a review if you promise not to tell me how much sugar is in this thing. I’d like to enjoy it without the guilt.”

“Deal,” she said, smiling. “Hope you like it.”

“I’m sure it’s great. Thank you.” I took a sip. “Wow, that’s more than great.” I stared at the glass in awe, sure it was the best glass of lemonade I’d ever had, then took another sip. “How big of a batch did you make?”

“A half-gallon,” she said.

I took another sip, thinking about it. “One and a half cups of sugar?”

Betsy’s mouth dropped open, telling me everything I needed to know, then she wagged her finger at me. “You’re good.”

I chuckled again and gave her a wink. “I couldn’t resist.”

The front door opened, and Kay stepped outside with her suitcase, giving me a knowing smile. “Sorry I won’t be able to see another one of your shows, Lucas.”

I tapped on my temple. “I’ve got a selective memory. I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

Kay tapped on her temple as well. “Well, I have a photographic memory, and there is now an image permanently engrained in my mind.”

I snorted and eyed her Gucci suitcase, wondering if the price was worth it, considering all the scuffs it had. “Sorry to see you go already. I thought you were here for the food festival.”

“That was the plan, but my great-granddaughter’s soccer team advanced to the state championships. I decided I didn’t want to miss it. Life is too short.”

“That, it is.”

After we said our goodbyes and watched Kay drive away, Betsy gestured to the front door. “I guess I should get back inside and clean her room for the next guest.”

“Somebody’s getting lucky,” I said. “My boss told me I had gotten the last room in the entire city when he booked it.”

“And you only got it because we had a cancellation,” Betsy said. “Typically, we sell out our rooms almost a year in advance for the week of the festival. After the festival is over, many people book their rooms for the following year.”

“That’s quite amazing,” I said.

“We stay busy all year long, but Big Bang Big Bear is the biggest event of the year for us by far.”

“People like to eat,” I joked.

Betsy laughed. “They do, including us. Marty and I always sneak away for a tasty treat or two. All the food trucks are outstanding, but I always go back for the jerk chicken, the mac and cheese, and the wonton soup.” She smiled. “And this year, I can’t wait to try Zoe’s baked potatoes.”

“Too bad my buddy, Rolando, isn’t here,” I said. “He’s crazy about wonton soup.”

“He would go crazy over this food truck,” she said. “They were voted the best wonton soup in the US.”

Just then, the best idea popped into my head.

“I want Kay’s room,” I said.

Betsy did a double-take. “You’re not happy with the Love Shack?”

“I wouldn’t change it for the world. I’d love to get the room for Rolando. He could use a brief break right now to disconnect.” I opened my wallet and pulled out a credit card. “You can charge this card.”

She frowned. “I’m so sorry, but someone booked that room exactly one minute after Kay told me she was checking out. I couldn’t believe it.”

“That’s too bad,” I said, sticking the credit card back in my wallet. “That would have been fun to have Rolando here with me. He’s such a cool guy. You’d love him.”

“I’m sure I would if he’s a friend of yours. Maybe next year?”

I smiled. “That is always a possibility.”