Page 48 of Quarter Miles (Runaway 3)

“You paint?” My fork froze in midair. “I didn’t know that.”

She shrugged and popped another bite into her mouth, chewing and avoiding eye contact.

“She’s talented,” Aria said. “She did this mural inside the tent of this meadow with wildflowers and birds and butterflies. It was so bright and cheerful. Whenever I had a bad day, I’d go into the tent and just lie down in the common area, close my eyes and be surrounded by the colors.”

“Why’d you stop?” I asked Kat, not caring that my knowledge—or lack thereof—was showing.

“It got harder and harder to do. With work being so busy, it was one of those hobbies that fell away.”

Did she have other former hobbies I didn’t know about? Besides working at the resort, she didn’t do much for herself. She’d go horseback riding at times. She’d hang out and watch a basketball or football game with me at home.

How had I known her all these years without knowing she’d had a cat in the junkyard or that she’d been a painter? So much for me being the all-knowing best friend.

“What happened after we left?” Katherine asked Aria.

“Nothing much. It was boring without you guys there. Karson stayed until we turned eighteen, but he wasn’t around much. He worked a ton, we all did, trying to save some money. Then on our birthday, Clara and I packed up our stuff and took a bus to Las Vegas. Karson hugged us goodbye, we left a note for Lou, and that was it.”

“How long were you in Vegas?”

“About a month. I hated it. Too many fake people. Too much desert. Clara liked it and stayed for a while before moving to Welcome, Arizona. But I had to get out of there. So I started calling hotels along the coast, seeing if there were any jobs open. I started as a housekeeper here at The Gallaway for about a year. Then one day, the head groundskeeper found me weeding one of the flower beds. He took me under his wing, showed me everything and taught me a lot. When he retired a few years ago, I took over.”

“We both started as housekeepers then,” Kat said. “That’s how I started at the resort.”

“What do you do, Cash?” Aria asked.

“I work with horses. I do some guide trips. Train the younger animals. Do whatever ranch work needs to be done.”

“So you’re a cowboy?” She leaned back to look under the table. “Boots and all.”

I chuckled. “Something like that.”

“Cash has a real gift with horses,” Kat said. “They’re building a brand-new training and breeding facility that he’s going to run.”

“With Gemma,” I added. “She came to my rescue and saved me from the office work.”

“I’ll have to come and visit the resort one of these days. I’m intrigued.”

“You’re welcome anytime,” Kat said.

Conversation turned light as the three of us focused on our meals. Aria told some funny tales about catching couples screwing on the beach when they thought no one was looking. She raved about the hotel’s owner and how he was the best boss she’d ever had and the kindest rich man she’d ever met.

When her plate was clear, Aria set her napkin aside, leaning forward to focus on Kat. “I love this visit. I love the whole idea for your trip. What if I took the Cadillac?”

“To California?” Kat asked. “I thought . . .”

“No, to Clara, in Arizona. I’ll be next up in the daisy chain. Once she hears about how the handoffs have worked with the car, I’m sure she’l

l take it to Karson.”

“Really?” Kat’s face split in a huge smile.

“Sure. As long as you’re not in a hurry. Work is crazy right now, but as soon as I can get away, I’ll do it.”

“There’s no rush. For either of you. If Clara doesn’t want to drive to California, we can leave the car in Arizona. Gemma will come get it at some point. Or Londyn.”

“Then it’s settled.” Aria clapped. “Though I’m not worried about my sister. Clara will love the idea even more than me.”

“Thank you,” I said. Not only because that would save us a long drive home, but because of the smile she’d put on Kat’s face.