Joy's Return (Unconventional Series #4)

by Verna Clay

  Max looked at the woman askance. Is she for real?

  Belle motioned toward a recliner. "Go ahead, kick back and give yourself a rest. You've had a long drive."

  "Ah, ma'am, I just want to get my rig parked somewhere and hooked up to power and sewer." He cleared his throat, "And also find out exactly what my duties are for the next six months."

  "Well, at least give me some breathing space." She motioned Max farther into the room in the single wide trailer. "I need some coffee to get my brain workin'. You want some java, son?"

  "No, ma'am." Max walked to a window sporting yellow curtains with orange fringe that had been pulled open. He could see the woman that had been raking dirt now playing with a puppy.

  Max didn't hear Belle reenter the room and jumped when she said behind him, "That's Pilar and Piggy. Piggy is old man Goodacre's new puppy. He just lost his dog of eighteen years, Donkey. I shore miss that old hound. Sounded like a donkey braying when he barked. Anyway, Pilar found Piggy at the animal shelter in Phoenix. She's helpin' with the training."

  With his back to Belle, Max rolled his eyes. Princess, Pilar, Piggy, Donkey. This place is a real piece of work.

  Belle asked, "How do you like Pilar's new fence. She saved for months to buy it. Said she always wanted a home with a white picket fence. My handyman, Gator, or maybe it was Hank; put it up for her yesterday as a surprise while she worked my diner. It tickled everyone in the park at how excited she got when she saw it. What do you think? You like it?"

  For some reason, Max had the feeling Belle was testing him. For what, he hadn't a clue. He decided to lie. "It's very nice. Makes her trailer look…er…nice." He turned around. "Now, about my RV space and duties…"

  Belle plopped her tiny frame into the recliner. "Sure you don't want to take a load off?"

  "Ah, no ma'am."

  "Okay, then I will." She reached to pull the lever and raise the footrest of her chair. With a satisfied sigh, she said, "You're in the space behind Pilar. I can't remember the space number. Never can remember those blasted things. Your northern neighbor is Goody, that's what we call old man Goodacre, and on the south you've got Pinky. After you meet Pinky, you'll see why we call her that." She reached for the coffee cup she'd set on the table beside her and sipped. "Ah, I just love my coffee. The secret is to grind it fresh every time and use really cold water. As for your duties, I'm handing the reins over to ya. Ain't had a vacation in nigh on fifty years so I've decided to visit the Big Island of Hawaii. After I get back, I'm gonna drive to New Mexico and find a hotel to laze around by the pool and read 'til I go blind. After that I think I'll conquer the mighty state of Texas. As you can see, I'm flying by the seat of my pants."

  Max worked his jaw. "Exactly what does 'handing over the reins' entail?"

  Belle took another sip of coffee and peered at him over the top of her cup. "Collecting rent, fixin' things, listenin' to people bitch, dealin' with a few snow-birders, maybe killing a rattler now and agin. As for the diner in town, don't worry 'bout it. I got my cook, Manuel, takin' charge."

  Max clenched his back teeth so hard he was sure they would crack.

  Belle waved a dismissive hand. "Son, we can talk about all that tomorrow. For now, you just go get settled in and meet yer neighbors. Hope you don't mind if I don't get up. I'm startin' to love my vacation."

  Quietly, Max said, "I'll let myself out."

  "Thanks, Maxie."

  The childhood name brought Max up short. His father was the only one who had ever called him Maxie.

  Novels and Novellas by Verna Clay

  WESTERN ROMANCE

  Contemporary

  Romance on the Ranch Series

  Dream Kisses

  Honey Kisses

  Baby Kisses

  Candy Kisses

  Christmas Kisses

  Rock Star Kisses (December 2014)

  Forever Kisses (January 2015)

  Oasis Series

  Stranded in Oasis

  Branded in Oasis

  Crashed in Oasis

  Historic

  Unconventional Series

  *Abby: Mail Order Bride

  Broken Angel

  Ryder's Salvation

  Joy's Return

  *Gold Medal Winner Readers' Favorite International Book Contest

  Finding Home Series

  Cry of the West: Hallie

  Rescue on the Rio: Lilah

  Missouri Challenge: Daisy

  FANTASY ROMANCE

  Shapeling Trilogy

  Roth: Book One: Protector

  Fawn: Book Two: Master

  Davide: Book Three: Prince

  Jazmine

  YOUNG ADULT ROMANCE

  (Verna Clay writing as Colleen Clay)

  Fragile Hearts

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  AUDIO BOOKS

  Abby: Mail Order Bride

  Broken Angel

  Cry of the West: Hallie