Thirty-Four
The Midnight Sun Run always started outside the Olde Salt Saloon, Bash had learned. The town blocked off the road to vehicles for the night. At the stroke of midnight, the race kicked off, after which the runners raced down the road into the town, along the mudflats, then made their way back to the boardwalk.
In the deep starry indigo of almost-midnight, competitors stretched and warmed up, while their supporters and other onlookers milled around and chatted.
Toni held a place of honor at the starting line—and a bullhorn. Since she still wasn’t feeling recovered enough to compete, Bash had arranged for her to preside over the official start of the race. As the principal sponsor, the Olde Salt owner held a lot of sway, though he hadn’t gotten any arguments.
Of course, he was
