The kids ran off, heels kicking as they wove between the crowd and food trucks.
Felicity stepped closer, arm brushing his. “Uh-oh,” she murmured under her breath. “Incoming.”
He followed her line of sight and saw Vera moving their way. Her apron bore the bright logo for her bakery across the front, and she carried a tray.
His jaw flexed. “More bribes.”
Vera bustled over. “Felicity! Your table looks…cozy.”
He heard what she didn’t say.
Small. Floundering.
Felicity pasted on a polite smile. “Hi, Vera. Busy day at your booth?”
“Swamped! Sold out of all the cookies in the first hour.” She eyed the table filled with books. Then shifted her gaze to him, her attention becoming appreciative. “Hello there. Who’s your friend, Felicity? I don’t think we’ve officially met.”
Felicity opened her mouth, but Gabe cut in, forcing his tone to remain even. “Gabe. I’m with Black Heart Security.”
He felt Felicity’s surprise, even though she stood completely still. He hadn’t officially been offered a job on the team. And hehadn’t told Felicity either. But he’d be damned if he’d allow this woman to belittle either of them.
Vera’s smile tightened at the corners. “Ah. Of course.” Her gaze flicked to Felicity. “I suppose that’s…reassuring, with things being so unsettled around here. The break-ins and rumors. You never know who you can trust. It’s good to have someone on the lookout.”
He smiled back, all teeth and no warmth. “Good thing I’m here to figure out who’s responsible.”
Her expression dimmed. Not with guilt exactly, but definitely with irritation.
She shifted her weight from one foot to the other. “Well. I just wanted to be neighborly. I brought a tray for each vendor.” She angled the tray in her hand toward Felicity. “This is just a sample display. Cinnamon rolls. You should stop by and pick up your box later. Assuming you’re not…too busy.”
Gabe maintained his wolfish grin. “If we need sugar with a side of gossip and rumors, we know where to find you.”
Vera’s eyes widened, and he saw her gulp as she swung away from the table.
He and Felicity watched her scurry away, swallowed by the crowd.
Felicity issued a giggle. “You scared her off.”
“Good. She’s circling like a vulture.”
“You really think she’s that bad?”
“I think she’s way too interested in your storefront and a little too quick to poke your weak spots.” He studied her beautiful face.
Her eyes warmed. “You’re very protective. You know that?”
He took a step closer. “I’m aware.”
She let out a low, shaky breath as if her body reacted to him being protective as much as it did when he pinned her to the wall and went down on her.
His cock began to stir behind his fly.
The sounds of the festival swelled around them with the notes of a band in the park starting up a cover of an old rock song.
Gabe watched Felicity straighten the bookmarks that didn’t need it.
“How’d you end up in Willowbrook? You didn’t grow up here.”
She cocked her head, contemplating his question. “I traveled through here once and was charmed. When it came time to select a location for my shop, it was the first place that came to mind.”
