“I’m staying.” He climbed in beside her and pulled her into his arms. “Now go to sleep, I’m tired.”
“I was asleep.”
“Excellent, then you know how to do it.”
She fell asleep smiling.
…
The next day started a pattern for Lani and Noah, a pattern she never thought she’d experience. He’d asked her to take a chance on them, and she’d decided to do it.
Each night she slept with Noah, here or in his room at the Howler. She didn’t want to think about anything further than tomorrow, and for now that was enough. Noah asked her questions about her past, and she told him most things, but not the serious stuff. She’d keep that inside her until she knew what to do about it.
Wandering up the street with Buddy, she opened the door of the Hoot. Today was her half day. Mrs. C was manning the Howlery, her back had improved, and Lani decided to get a coffee and sit on the bank for a while. Noah was working, and besides, she couldn’t spend all her time with him, no matter how much she wanted to.
“Shit!” Buster burst out of the kitchen as she reached the counter.
“What? Tell me Buddy didn’t steal your dough again?”
“No. Willow just called. She’s in labor.” He looked pale and shaky.
“Okay. So you need to go now, and I’ll stay here. I can make coffee and sell stuff, but I can’t cook anything because you’ll never have repeat business. Give me a quick rundown on things, and I’ll be here until closing.”
“We’ll just shut.” He looked at the food cabinets. “It doesn’t matter about the cakes in the oven.”
“Stop.” Lani raised a hand. “Take a breath and tell me what needs to be done. I’ve worked a coffee machine and a till. Just tell me how to lock up.”
He grabbed her and hugged her close. She could feel the tension in his big body.
“It’ll be okay, Buster. Willow is going to do great.”
“I’m scared.” The words were a hoarse whisper.
“Which is natural, but right now you need to get it together and go home to her.”
“Right. You’re right.” He exhaled slowly.
She managed to get the information she needed out of him, and the keys to lock up.
“Now, go.” She kissed his cheek. “And tell Willow good luck.”
“Thank you, Lani, really. I’ll contact Connor. I know he’s busy today but he can take over things until I can get back.”
“I can help. I know how to bake and make coffee. So my services are there if and when you need them. We’re quiet in the Howlery at the moment, and I know Mrs. C won’t mind.”
“I’ll be in touch.”
He ran out the door. Lani did the dishes that were in the sink and pulled the cakes out of the oven when the timer went off. Finding Buster’s to-do list taped to the wall, she looked it over. Some of that she could do, and chances were he was going to be busy for a few days at least.
“Coffee, stat!”
Lani knew that voice and felt her heartbeat start to race. Walking out of the kitchen, she found Noah and Faith at the counter.
“Hey, you.” He smiled at her. “Where’s Buster?”
“Willow is in labor.”
The smile fell away.
