Knights of the Hill Country by Tim Tharp

it converted into a library.”
    I couldn't believe it. I figured a converted garage was every bit as good as a converted basement any day. “That sounds okay,” I said, which was pretty much the understatement of my life so far.
    “But I forgot.” Her eyebrows arched up and I knew I wasin for a letdown. “My sister's book club's meeting in there tonight.”
    That was more my kind of luck. “Your sister's in a book club?” I said. “I thought she was only about thirteen or fourteen.”
    “She's twelve. Why?”
    “Oh, nothing,” I said, but I had to shake my head over that idea. At twelve, you wouldn't have got me to open any book I didn't one hundred percent have to. Matter of fact, I was surprised you could round up enough twelve-year-olds in Kennisaw to fill out a book club.
    “I guess we could go over to the library,” she suggested. “At least it'll be quiet.”
    “We could,” I said, but the library with its yellow tables and shushing librarians didn't even come close to fitting the mood I was hoping for. “Or maybe we could go down to Sweet's Café and get us a table in the back. I bet there won't hardly be a soul there this late.”
    “You think?” She cocked her head. “I don't know. I don't think cafés let you hang around doing homework all evening.”
    “Sure they will. My buddy Jake's parents own it. We hang out there all the time. His sister'll be working tonight. She won't care how long we set in there.”
    “That sounds great, then.” Her face kind of lit up, and she sounded almost like someone accepting a date.
    “Great,” I said back. I was pretty proud of myself. For once, I'd done come up with a good idea right on the spot instead of thinking of it a day too late. “I hope you don't mind walking. It's only about ten minutes. My mom needed the car tonight.”
    “I don't mind. It's nice out.”
    Things was looking like they was working out real good, but just as she was slipping into a light jacket, I realized what I should've realized right from the get-go. What if Jake come sauntering into the café to kill some time? And worse than that, what if Blaine was with him?
    Sara had her jacket on. “Ready?”
    “You bet,” I said. It was too late now. All I could do was hope Jake and Blaine had better things to do tonight.

CHAPTER NINE
    Jake's big sister, Sheryl, didn't say nothing. She just stood there a few feet from the table and stared at us.
    “What?” I said finally.
    “Oh, nothing,” she said. “I was just thinking how nice it is to have you in here with your girl instead of Blaine for a change.”
    I glanced over at Sara to check on how she took the “your girl” remark, but I couldn't tell much with her hair hiding most of her face.
    “Don't get me wrong,” Sheryl said. “Blaine's okay, but he don't always know when to put all his teasing up and just be hisself. You sure you two don't want a slice of pie to help you study?”
    “No, we're okay.” I knew Sheryl was only trying to kind ofprod things along between me and Sara, probably thought I couldn't do it for myself, but right now I just wanted to be left alone.
    “Well, if y'all need refills on your Cokes, go on back behind the counter and fill your cups up whenever you want.” She tossed me a nice, encouraging smile and walked away.
    Like I figured, the place was pretty dead, it being a Monday night. The red vinyl-covered chairs was mostly empty, and the little square Formica-topped tables was bare except for their salt and pepper shakers and napkin holders. They had this electric sign buzzing in the window. SWEET'S GOOD EATS! COME ON IN, it said in red lights, but nobody but a couple of old-timers up at the front counter had took them up on the offer tonight.
    The bell over the front door jingled and I whipped around, half afraid of seeing Jake and Blaine, but it was only lonesome old Mr. Derryberry shuffling in to take his place up at the counter with the other old bachelors.
    “You expecting someone?”