Chapter 19 More Tall Tales
737words
"I'm sure he meant Bigfoot, Mom," I supplied.
Kayn glanced at me, frowning. "Yes, I mean the...that thing."
"The brown furry creature, right?" I prodded. "Ember also confused it with the Yeti."
Mom turned to look at Kayn. "Any locals you can refer me to, to confirm these sightings?"
Kayn took a step back, shifting his weight. "Yes. My grandfather has seen it."
Mom's face lit up. "He did? You think he would talk with me about it sometime?"
"I can persuade him," Kayn smiled, but it seemed forced. "I can even take you to the area and show you myself where he had seen it. He took me there a few times to see if we can find it again."
"I would love that," Mom beamed. She snatched up the picture Kayn had dumped on top of the kitchen table and held it mid-air. "However, this comes first. I've already made some plans with my crew to search at sea. But, I would like to take you on your offer sooner rather than later." Mom leaned to her side to glance at me. "We've landed on a gold mine!"
I made a low, deep-throated whimper that landed me a questioning look from Mom, but her face lit up like it was Christmas. "I have a few more calls to make. Kris, you're welcome to join us for dinner later if you want. I'd love to hear more of your grandfather's adventures."
"Kayn," he corrected. "I'd love to tell you more, but unfortunately I've already got other plans."
"That's a pity, but it's no rush dear." Mom hummed under her breath as she scooped up all the pictures and sashayed out of the room.
Kayn was staring at me.
"What?" I asked.
"She's wasting her time."
"You're telling me that? Believe me. I've tried." I picked up a bag. "What's it with you and your family and Bigfoot? You can't believe he—it, is real."
"I don't, but my grandfather thinks it is. It should keep him and your mom busy from spinning other outlandish stories or beliefs. It's a win-win for both of us."
I thought about it for a moment. "You might be onto something here, but you should know my mom is persistent. If she doesn't find anything soon, she'll trek us to another place."
"Then I should amp it up and start convincing her and my grandfather to go on a Bigfoot scouting mission, as soon as possible, so she'd discover there is nothing around here to find."
I sighed. "Yeah yeah, I got it the first, second, and hundredth time. You don't want me here. Are you ever going to stop reminding me of that?"
"No."
"You are such a joy. You know that?" I tried picking up all the bags and an "Oompf!" rushed out of me. I dropped the bags back on the floor, sighing.
"I know I am," he grinned as he slid past me and without effort, picked up all the bags. "Lead the way."
Dad coughed, making me jump. I forgot he was even in the room with us, still focused on his newspaper.
I nodded toward the door.
It was already dark by the time we headed outside toward the caravan. I mistook the position of the steps, half-stumbling inside, knocking on the light switch.
"Are you okay?" Kayn asked from behind me.
"Hoping I got a serious enough injury to succumb to it?"
He snorted. "I already told you it's not like that."
"Right." I steadied myself, turning to find him already filling the doorway. I scooted out of the way and signaled toward my unmade bed, cringing at the sight of a massive, pink fluffy bunny lying beside my pillow.
It was a gift from my grandma when I was five, and I've kept it close by my side ever since her passing shortly after.
Kayn's brows raised at the sight of it but didn't say anything as he placed the bags down on top of my bed. He poked at the bag of books. "You read a lot of horrors and true crime. My sister lives off her fantasy, paranormal and romance books. I thought all teenage girls read that. Not the scary stuff."
