“Catchy, right?” Buster stood beside her. “I love this night even more now that I’m not participating.”
“So only singles then?”
“Yup. We used married or partnered-up people once, but it got nasty when Lizzie Heath threw her handbag at Mrs. Brack because she blew a kiss at Walt.”
“This town is crazy, you know that, right?”
“Surely not.” He slung an arm around her shoulders, and the strange thing was that she felt comfortable with him doing that. “We’re special, Lani. There is a difference.”
“Right, special.”
“And I think you should rethink not participating. You’d raise money for a good cause.”
“Do I really look like the type of person who would do something like this, Buster?”
“There’s a type?”
“How’s Willow?” Lani deflected.
“Between you and me, I think it’s going to be soon, today or tomorrow. Her back is aching, and she seems extra cranky.”
“But you didn’t tell her that, right?”
“Do I look like I want to die?”
“Well if you need me for anything, just call,” Lani said before she could stop herself. “I mean, I can make coffee and stuff. I’ve worked in a cafe.”
He hugged her close before releasing her.
“There you go, getting all community spirited. You’ll be collecting friends all over Lake Howling before you know it. And thanks, I may take you up on that.”
Clutching her bag of purchases from the general store, Lani and Buddy headed back to the Howlery with thoughts whirling around inside her head. The main one being:
Could I make a home here… with Noah?
Chapter Thirty
Noah was sitting at a table in the dining area waiting for the card boys to turn up. Tonight was his night for hosting, and Sunday they shut the Howler early. He was running through things he needed to do next week. Orders, what stock to buy, and any events they had planned besides the auction, which was being held here. He would put on platters of food, a few bottles of wine, and tea and coffee.
“Stop smiling, I liked the surly you better.” Faith plonked herself down beside him. She wore a red dress, fitted and short, and her face and hair told him she likely had a date.
“I smiled before.”
“Sure, but this one is more relaxed and more the old you.” Faith stole his coffee and took a large mouthful.
“We have a coffee pot brewing. Must you drink mine?”
She tilted her head slightly, studying him. “Sure, but this pisses you off, so job achieved on my part.”
“You’re all dressed up. You going out with that loser whose name I don’t know again?”
“All you need to know is that I have a hot date.”
“With?” Faith dated, he knew that, but was she still seeing the same guy?
“That’s none of your business.”
“I am your older brother, it is my business.”
