Yolks on You Box Set

Chapter 11-1

Chapter 11

Dom ignored Alec’s texts, despite knowing how angry it was bound to make the man. But Dom didn’t care to have an unpleasant meal with a grumpy ex and his kids, and he didn’t have to either. Still, he couldn’t quite look over at Kiko as he drove. He pulled up to Pasta la Vista and they got out to get the box, not speaking to each other. When they were driving again, Kiko cleared his throat.

“Unless you picked up any other information on Noodlebeard, I told you everything I know about Pasta la Vista…We’re going to the school next. I don’t think there’s any big secret there, but schools are always looking for more money.”

“Yeah,” said Dom. He glanced at Kiko, looked away when Kiko turned toward him. He felt awkward about having a date that had no hope of going anywhere, even knowing Kiko claimed he didn’t care. He told himself he was being stupid—what did it matter? He was on vacation anyway, even if that vacation was in a crazy town full of random explosions. Still, he wondered how many problems he was getting himself into.

The school had packed three large boxes of eggs, which explained why Kiko had waited until out with the truck to pick them up. By the time they had hauled them away Dom had shoved back any misgivings he had and forced himself to simply enjoy. Kiko was a good-looking, entertaining person who indulged his whims about the explosions. Better date than he could expect to get back home.

“Where to next?” he asked, and Kiko pulled out a notepad.

“Looks like we got most of it,” he said. “Just a few more stops and we’ll be good. I hope you’re not too hungry.”

“I don’t know what you’d do without me to help you move all this.”

Kiko grinned at him, looking happier that Dom had moved on to teasing.

“I don’t know what I’d do either.” His phone beeped and he looked down at it, his expression changing to one that said he’d overlooked something obvious. He tapped a quick reply. “Katie, too. She was kind enough to stay later so we could go out, you know. Suggested it all herself, even.”

“Gossiping about me already?”

“I didn’t say a word, Dom. She’s observant.”

Picking up boxes went much faster with a truck and a second pair of hands, and in little time they had the last of the replacement eggs retrieved. Night had descended by then, cold for spring, Dom thought. Kiko turned them onto a road that led out of Mount Angus.

“Can’t help but notice we’re headed out of town,” said Dom. “Just where is it you’re taking me?”

Kiko laughed.

“Maybe it’s not that wise to ask…” he said, letting the pause lengthen in mock danger before continuing. “A good place, sort of in the middle of nowhere. Catsville has a sign, but it’s really only a cluster of buildings. An old schoolhouse that’s now a gift shop and art studio, an old church, and a handful of farms and houses. We’re going to B and B’s.”

Dom found he was struggling to take all this in.

“Catsville?” he asked. He was finding it easier and easier to believe that an Eggstravaganza was the kind of celebration that just came naturally to Mount Angus. Kiko shrugged.

“I know it doesn’t sound real. Supposedly it was named after the original farm that was here. Everyone commented that it had a lot of cats. The funny thing is that it reportedly didn’t have all that many more cats than any other farm, just that anyone passing through commented on them. It stuck as a name.”

Dom stared at Kiko, saying all this like it was completely serious. He’d know, too; Dom wouldn’t be surprised if he heard Kiko had researched the history of all the surrounding areas as well as Mount Angus.

“And we’re going to a B and B? You getting us a room without asking me?”

Kiko’s laugh now was deeper, more amused.

“No, no,” he said, shooting Dom a smile. “I’m taking you to B and B’s. They’ve got good potatoes, and it’s far enough away from the crowds.”

“I guess that’s acceptable.”

“I’m afraid it’s not an egg-themed date,” said Kiko, taking a left. “I still have two more of those before I’m allowed in your pants.”

“But who’s counting?” asked Dom. “It’s Saturday night. Not a time for numbers.”

“I’m for any numbers that increase my odds, especially those that don’t require counting,” said Kiko.

Dom was relieved they were pulling into a gravel lot, because he had no idea what to say to that.

In the yellow-orange light outside the building he could see a sign that read B and B’s, the name painted above two donkey heads. It took Dom a moment to realize that butting up against the side of the building was fencing surrounding a small field, in which two donkeys stood, twitching their ears and chewing. Dom stared.

“That’s Bob and Bab,” said Kiko brightly, shoving his hands in his pockets, presumably to keep them warm. “They’re B and B’s mascots.”

“And the reason why it’s called B and B?”

“Yes.”

“Kiko, this place is weird. Seriously. Your town has an egg-themed festival. Your shop is egg-themed. Everyone has weird names for their businesses, or farm animal mascots, or there are things exploding everywhere. Everyone’s so friendly but I’m starting to think it’s all an act. What nasty secrets do you think they have here?”

Dom wanted a good reply to this. He was not sure what he’d been expecting when he’d agreed to go to Mount Angus, but certainly it was very little of what he’d actually experienced so far. Kiko smiled at the donkeys.

“I doubt they’re telling,” he said. Dom rolled his eyes, nudged Kiko with his shoulder as he turned.

“Let’s get inside before we get any colder.”