Her giggle was sweet.
“And let’s face it, no way would Mrs. C be shocked.” He kissed her again, soft, sweet, and lingering. Lani’s fingers curled into his shirt as he took them under once more.
“Damn,” he whispered as a set of headlights appeared. “Okay, so you go on up now, and I’ll see you later.”
Before she could speak, he turned her and sent her gently through the door. He heard Lani’s feet on the stairs seconds later.
“Morning, Noah.”
“Mrs. C. Your back made a quick recovery.”
“You know I only faked that to keep Lani in town. She was getting jittery and I thought she was going to leave.”
“I do and I’m grateful.”
“You just leaving?” She wore lemon today. Not the soft color, this shade was bright enough even in the dim light to make him wince.
“You look hot.”
“I try, boy. Now stop evading the question. Did you and Lani spend the night together?”
“That is none of your business.” He kissed a soft check. “You have a good day.”
Noah was humming as he let himself into the Howler. He felt good, better than good actually. He felt free, and he put it down to her, Lani Sullivan. She had secrets and issues, but she’d promised him she wouldn’t leave town without talking to him, and for now that was enough.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
The talk around town the next two days was about the arrest of Dr. Trask and what it meant for the facility.
“So I thought this was a nice little town. No dramas.”
Lani heard the words from beyond the shelf of soft dog toys she was examining. Her basket was so far filled with two tea towels that had Lake Howling written all over them, a sweater that was hand-knitted, a pair of matching socks, and an oven mitt with a large dog face on the front.
She’d woken this morning and decided that she would spend some of her cash and get a few things that made her small space more homely. It was scarily like putting down roots, and yet she knew she could easily pack up in the time it took to bake a cake and be out of town before anyone knew it.
“It’s a nicer little town than that place you call home.”
Lani knew that voice. Peering over the top of the shelving unit, she saw Jake McBride with Rose in his arms. Beside him were two men she didn’t know, but clearly by the way they were conversing, he did.
“The hell you say,” one of the men said.
Examining them, Lani thought they would fit in nicely with some of the Howling men. Tall, easy on the eyes.
“Ryker Falls puts this place to shame.”
Jake made a scoffing sound, and Rose patted his shoulder. “Pay these idiots no mind, sweetheart, it’s fair to say they’re clueless.”
“Not true, Rose. In fact, your daddy is addled.”
“Lani!” The little girl saw her behind the shelf, which meant she had to show herself.
“Hi, Rose, Jake.”
“Oooh!” Rose urged Jake to put her down and she came to inspect the items in Lani’s basket.
“I was just about to pick Buddy a toy, Rose, you want to do it for me?”
Happy with the idea, she went to the shelf Lani had just left.
