“That’s right.” She’d texted her order to Lila earlier along with a head’s up that Seb would be coming in. If anyone could put him at ease, it would be Lila and her grandmother, Connie.
“I’ve got a Coke right here.” She patted the bag. Since they’d brought the dog, the plan was to eat on one of the benches dotted around Central—one more beloved local tradition.
He reached for the door and the bell chimed, but he stepped back to allow a woman to exit. Holly managed not to cringe, recognizing that steel-gray bob immediately. The Bread Basket was a local institution with a consistent flow of locals. She’d hoped for some easy small talk and instead she’d be guiding Seb through a gossip gauntlet.
“Good morning, Mrs. Gable.” Of all the lousy luck. Mrs. Gable was one of Brookwell’s most prolific chatterboxes.
And her sharp, inquisitive gaze was currently locked on Seb. “Holly! How are you, dear? And who is your friend?”
Holly deliberately misunderstood, looking down at the dog. “This is Digby. He’s helping me with my errands this morning.”
To her credit, Mrs. Gable greeted the dog warmly before straightening once again. “And your other friend?”
Seb had let the door close, and though he stood still, Holly would’ve sworn the man was trying to suppress a smile.
“Sebastain Sterling. He’s just moved into the old Marion estate.”
“Is that so?” Mrs. Gable was well-versed in feigning shock and surprise. “Welcome to our little town, Mr. Sterling.”
He nodded, gently shaking the older woman’s hand. “A pleasure to be here. And to meet you,” he replied.
The three of them shifted slightly to let others through the door. “We’ve all been wondering when you’d show your face, young man.” Mrs. Gable adjusted her glasses. “My grandson tells me you’re some kind of genius with computers. I do hope youcan fix the Wi-Fi at the primary school library. It’s been sluggish since the last hurricane.”
Seb blinked, clearly caught off guard. “I… Um, I will look into it, ma’am.”
“We’ll add it to his to-do list,” Holly promised. “Have a lovely day, Mrs. Gable.” She plucked Digby into her arms and yanked the door open.
“Surely, you’re not taking a dog inside?”
“Oh, no, ma’am. But I’m famished and we need to get back to the office before we cause a traffic jam.” She nodded at Seb to head into the bakery and he dashed away, that smile breaking free.
Mrs. Gable patted Digby on the head and murmured a few sweet words before she walked away.
Holly waited with Digby, but when a few minutes stretched to ten, she stuck her head in at Island Bloomers, the flower shop next door. “Anyone need a puppy fix?” she called out.
Molly, the shop manager, rushed out from the design room and then skidded to a stop. “Nina! Holly brought us a puppy.”
“What?” Nina, the owner, spied Digby and promptly forgot whatever she’d been working on. “Hey, Holly. Who’s this?”
Holly grinned at the women as they crouched down to love all over the dog. “This is Digby. He belongs to Sebastian Sterling.”
Nina’s gaze darted between Holly and the dog. “Seriously? I would’ve pegged Sterling for something more intimidating than this sweetheart.”
Digby was currently trying to climb up into Nina’s lap. The dog truly was dedicated to charming everyone he met.
“You’ve met Mr. Sterling?”
Nina shook her head, her dark ponytail swaying over her shoulder. “Only heard bits and pieces from Boone. He said the Guardian Agency has done some private security work for him.”Nina’s husband had spent years traveling on personal security details.
“Did he really buy the Marion estate?” Molly asked.
“Yes, he really did,” a masculine voice replied.
Holly whirled around to find Seb in the doorway. “Come on in,” she urged. “Nina and Molly were just getting acquainted with your better half.”
Seb cocked a dark eyebrow as he approached. “He is better with people. Good to meet you both,” he said when Holly made the introductions.
“If you’re in need of flowers, just give us a call,” Nina said with a smile.
