Page 30 of Searching for Bristol
“Sorry,” Brock said with a shrug. “Had to deal with a not-so-nice customer at work today. My tolerance level is low.”
“It’s okay,” Elsie told him.
“And you’re right,” Bristol added. “Luckily, I don’t actually need to rely on the webstore customers. My work with churches, as well as other large commissions, keeps a roof over my head and food on my plate.”
“The stained-glass industry is that good?” Raiden asked.
“I’m thinking interrogating Bristol on how much money she makes isn’t exactly appropriate conversation,” Rocky warned.
“I’m just curious,” Raid argued.
“It’s okay,” Bristol said. “And to answer your question, no, the stained-glass industry isn’t that good…but I am.”
There was silence for a beat, then everyone laughed.
“You walked right into that one, Raid.”
“She told you.”
“Right on, sister.”
Rocky grinned, loving Bristol’s confidence in what she did, but liking the way she seemed to fit in with their group even more.
Karen walked up to the table then with a huge tray on her shoulder and began unloading food. Sandra had chosen a family-style meal for them, with large bowls and plates of food everyone could share. Rocky noticed that she hadn’t brought anyone else chicken-fried steak. Bristol was the only one who received her specialty.
Everyone began to help themselves to the food, and the mood was happy and relaxed. They all ate, the banter flowing nonstop. Rocky didn’t even get upset when the topic changed to his idiotic decision to head into the forest by himself, without letting Raid know where he was going.
“We really need those satellite phones,” Brock muttered. “If Rocky’d had one, he could’ve called Raid, or even one of us. He could’ve stayed put with Bristol and let us come to him.”
“I’ve got a meeting set up with the mayor and the city council to see if I can convince them to put in a bid,” Ethan told the group.
“How long will that take?” Bristol asked, joining the conversation.
“Who the heck knows?” Ethan said in disgust. “I thought I’d left the bureaucracy behind when I left the military, but even small towns have hoops that have to be jumped through when it comes to stuff like this.”
“I’ll happily get them for the team,” Bristol said.
Silence settled over the table for a heartbeat, then everyone started talking at once.
“No, you won’t.”
“The city council will pony up the money eventually.”
“That’s generous of you, but it’s all right.”
“Awesome!”
The last came from Lilly.
Rocky held up a hand to silence his friends, then met Bristol’s gaze head on. “We appreciate it, but it’s not necessary.”
“It sounds to me as if it’sdefinitelynecessary,” Bristol countered. “And I want to. Ineedto. You barely let me say ‘thank you.’ And it’s obvious you guys need a better way to communicate when you’re in the woods. If it’ll help someone else who’s lost, I want to donate them. I can afford it.”
Rocky didn’t know why her offer didn’t sit well with him. “We weren’t talking about this to make you feel guilty or to get you to offer to buy phones,” he said.
“I know you didn’t. Please let me do this for you guys. For the town. I’ve never felt as at home anywhere like I have here. Not even in Kingsport. Please, Rocky. I want to do my part to help someone else who might get into the same situation as me.”
Rocky sighed. “Can we talk about it later?” he asked.
