CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Lani didn’t sleep worth a damn and woke up in a foul mood. She desperately needed to share this fustercluck with the only one who wouldn’t freak out, but Sara was guiding a tour today. It was the last one before suspending them until after New Year’s.
She picked up her phone to check the time. Sara wouldn’t have left yet. She sent a quick text asking if she had time to talk when she got back.
Hey, there! I do, but why not go on the tour with me? I just had a cancellation. We can talk on the way into town and then you can find out what your little sis is up to. I’ll come get you in the van.
She sighed in relief. What a great distraction from her negative thoughts. She texted back an enthusiastic response and headed for the shower.
A couple of minutes before Sara was due, she bundled up and went out on the porch. She’d informed her parents about the plan and they were delighted she was doing it. They’d taken the tour weeks ago and said it was great fun even though they already knew everything Sara told the group.
Watching her little sister pilot a ten-person van up the narrow road was a kick. Yeah, this was a great idea. Thank goodness for Sara.
Taking the porch steps as fast as she dared, she hurried around to the passenger side and hauled herself in.
Sara grinned. “Some tour director I am. I didn’t put the steps out for you.”
“I would have been insulted if you had. Thanks for letting me come. I’ll be in charge of the steps.”
“Perfect.” She backed the van around with practiced ease. “I was gonna ask if you would. Sometimes a person will volunteer to sit in front and do that, which makes things go faster. Other times no one in the group is agile enough.”
“I think I can handle it.”
“Then you have the job. Unless Adam insists on taking over. I’m pretty sure he’s a cowboy and you know how they are.”
She certainly did. “Who’s Adam?”
“You didn’t hear the talk last night?”
“Must have missed it.”
“His name’s Adam Bridger. His family has a ranch over in Mustang Valley and evidently they’ve done very well for themselves. He’s an M.R. Morrison fan and is determined to have a branch of L’Amour and More in his town.”
“Wow. How exciting that people are coming to Lucky, now.”
“It really helped when Desiree uncloaked herself. The tour starts and ends at the bookstore and she’ll be there to sign her latest when I bring everyone back.”
“Does she always do that?”
“No. This is special, which is why Adam chose to come now. He’ll make his full pitch to Lucky afterward. He told me he wanted to do that in person. Angie and Kieran will come by this afternoon, too, and Kendall if she can swing it. Adam wants tohire them to refurbish the Victorian where he wants to locate the bookstore.”
“All this came up at the party last night?”
“Sure did.”
“Maybe that’s the conversation I interrupted when I went over to talk to Rance.”
“I’m sure it was. I saw you come over, and then you took off with Rance and Granny. What was that all about?”
“Funny you should ask.” Taking a deep breath, she laid out the complicated situation she’d landed herself in. They were halfway to town before she finished.
“Whoa, sis. I think you’ve made a bigger mess than I did when I fell for Kieran.”
“It feels like it. Have you had a chance to read any of his book?”
“Kieran read me the first chapter while I was getting ready. It sounded really good.”
“It is. Best first novel I’ve ever read. He has huge potential and he’s stuck on the idea I have to be his editor. That’s ridiculous.”
