Chapter 11

“Is there something I can help you with?” He seemed to be staring at the only sports coat Leland owned, once fashionable but now out of date. The elbow patches most likely gave it away.

“Where on God’s earth did you get those jeans?”

“At Ames. It’s a popular department store where I live.”

“Stop! I don’t want to know.” He moved closer and Leland took a step back.

“I won’t bite,” the man said.

Leland was thinking he wouldn’t mind if he did. Up close this kid was—what was the phrase Rhoda used? “Hot with a capital H.”

“First, you look like you prefer informal. I’m Jamie.” He held out his hand.

“Yes, I can see that,” Leland said shaking his hand then pointing to his name tag.

“Right. Sometimes I forget I’m wearing it.”

“I’m Leland.”

“Where’d you come from anyway? Kansas? Something tells me you’re not a city boy.”

“Vermont.”

“That’s somewhere in the middle. Near Nebraska, I think. Geography wasn’t my strong point in school.”