When she got to the Publick, Rufus was chatting with Clarice, who had given him the unabridged version of the morning’s events.
“I see you two have met?” asked Lella.
Clarice nodded. “Matt introduced us.”
Rufus suggested getting sandwiches at Byrne’s Dairy. They could have a picnic at a job site on the Lake.
“We don’t know how much more of this weather we can reasonably expect,” he said.
Byrne’s was a local hub. Gas pumps, firewood, ice, deli service, ice cream, shelves of milk and yogurt; as well as the usual convenience store stock. They got their sandwiches, chips, and drinks; they drove out of town and up the hill that rose along the lakeshore.
They traveled in silence until Rufus turned down a switchback that led to the houses along the water.
“East Lake Road,” read Lella.
“Th
