“I would.”
“Everything okay?” Eli asked, walking over to wrap his arm around Arabella.
“Your girl rocks!” Iona said.
Eli grinned. “She does. What did she do now?”
“She’s an amazing baker, but her decorating? That’s next level. I’m so excited.”
“I don’t want anyone knowing who I am, though,” Arabella warned. “I know I probably could now that my father is dead and can’t take this away from me . . . but with this break-in . . . and the press.”
She was suddenly aware that Iona was gaping at her. “Your father would have taken this from you?”
“Um, he was a bit of a bastard.”
“Eh. I get that. Don’t worry. Your secret is safe with me.” She zipped her lips.
“Are there any peanuts in this kitchen?” Eli asked, peering around as though he thought they were hiding and might suddenly attack.
Arabella groaned. “Eli, we’ve talked about this.”
Both men seemed to be very obsessed with what she ate. To the point that it was becoming ridiculous.
Heath had actually made the kitchen at the hotel peanut free.
It was crazy.
They hadn’t just bought one EpiPen when she’d left the hospital, but three so they could each have one on them.
Insane.
But she liked it.
“Um, there is.”
“Where are they?” Eli asked.
“In the pantry. In a clearly marked container.”
“Hmm. I suppose that’s all right.”
Arabella sighed. “Eli, I have to eat them to have a reaction. I don’t have an airborne allergy. I will be fine. Stop stressing.”
Iona’s phone beeped. “Ooh, I’ve got to go or I’ll be late for line dancing. Is there anything else you need?”
“No. Thank you so much. We’ll lock up before we go.”
“Aces! Bye! And I’m so excited.”
“Kellan was right,” Eli said as he stared after Iona. “Too much energy.”
“Eli! I think she’s lovely. And line dancing actually sounds fun. Is everything all right? You look worried.”
“Hmm, I’m not sure. That was Jake on the phone. Deputy Doofus has disappeared.”
Now everyone was calling him Deputy Doofus and she didn’t even feel bad about that.
“Disappeared?” she repeated. “What do you mean?”
