Instead of annoying her that Grant believed himself to be in charge of her well-being, the idea of his worrying about her made her feel special. It’d been a long time since she’d felt that way.
“How did Grant find out? I haven’t told anyone. Not even Milly.”
Emma shrugged, but it was a deliberate move. Her gaze shifted away. Christy frowned, knowing that it was Emma who was holding back now.
“What can I say? It’s a small town.”
It was time to get a few answers. “I come from a small town in Indiana, and trust me, I’ve never seen anything like what went on last night. What was that? People were going crazy and doing things in public that—” She paused, unsure how graphic she could be with the teens nearby. “Well, things that most folks don’t do in public.”
She followed the direction of Milly’s look and saw that the youngsters were silent and hanging on every word they said.
“Y’all can either get out while the adults talk or you can mind your own business.” The slamming of the back door didn’t stop her. “There’s Leggy now. Should I tell her to get your food together? Or are y’all heading out?”
The same boy, as though he was their leader, spoke up. “We’ll hang. Come on, guys, let’s move to the farthest table so we won’t hear anything our tender ears can’t handle.” He laughed as Milly wadded up the counter towel and tossed it at him.
“Now, where were we? Oh, yeah, you two were about to explain last night to me.”
“I already told you, Christy.” Milly pulled out another towel and started wiping down an already clean counter. “It’s a celebration of sorts. One that you’d best stay out of.”
Emma squeezed her arm then turned it loose. “Please listen to her. No matter how curious or whatever you get, stay out of it.”
Whatever? As in horny?
“I’m kind of stuck here, aren’t I? At least until my car gets fixed.” She was growing more irritated with answers that didn’t really give her any useful information. “What I saw last night was like something out of a movie. Like where people go crazy and start doing whatever they want. And then, there were those two guys that tried to hurt me.”
“And Jackson’s taking care of them today.”
“No, you don’t get it. One of them ripped the roof right off my car. What kind of man can do that?”
“Gabe and Merle are very strong.”
“Really, Milly? They’re that strong? My car went from being a hardtop to a convertible in a matter of minutes. Were they on drugs? Doped up on adrenaline?”
“That’d be one explanation.”
She couldn’t help glaring at Emma. “Yeah, it would. So that’s it? The town’s hopped up on steroids or meth or whatever gets rid of people’s inhibitions and makes them super strong? Because I’m thinking that’s not a good thing.”
“The people who live here are honest, hardworking people. Don’t judge them by last night.”
“I’m sure they are. And, other than those two apes that came at me, people left me alone. It’s just that I’ve never seen anyone behave like that.” Did she dare go on? “Or look like that.”
That was a lead-on statement if she’d ever heard one. She expected them to ask how they looked different and was surprised when they didn’t.
If Emma and Milly exchanged another telling look, she’d scream. “What’s going on? Tell me the truth.” It was stupid, but it was all she had left. She couldn’t bring herself to outright ask if a few of the town’s citizens had fangs and glowing amber eyes. Instead, she asked a different question. “Is it the amber moon?”
She would’ve sworn she’d hit them right where they hadn’t expected it. Milly started rubbing the counter again while Emma clasped her hands in her lap. Neither one of them spoke for a while.
“One of you has to tell me.”
Emma stared right at her, making Christy wish she hadn’t demanded to know. “What do you know about the amber moon?”
“Not much. It’s about supernatural beings and how the moon turns amber and makes them go wild.”
“That about sums it up.”
“But that’s ridiculous.” She pushed her coffee cup away. “Fine. If you two want to play games, then have at it.”
She slid off the stool. “Milly, thank you again for letting me stay at your place. I promise I’ll get out of your hair as soon as I can leave. And I’ll write you a check for everything. Okay?”
“I’m not going to take any money from you. I’m happy to help.”