“My take on you is you’ve been hurt by someone and that sent you running. I also think you’re in some kind of danger. The living in the car, all your possessions in a suitcase that you don’t unpack. The hiding behind the plain appearance and cap. Also you wear contacts, which tells me you’re hiding your eye color. There’s also the fact that you dye your hair black when you’re a blonde.”
Lani’s heart rate increased. Katie had noticed so much more than anyone else.
“I don’t want to scare you, Lani, but you can’t keep running forever; one day your past will catch up to you.”
“I need to go.”
“I understand you feel you need to, but you don’t. Now why don’t you talk to me. I’m a friend.”
“I don’t know where to start.”
“Pick a place, then go for it,” Katie urged.
“It’s just that I’ve lived this life for so long and I don’t know what to do.” Lani hadn’t realized she so desperately wanted to talk to someone until Katie started questioning her. “I was fine moving from place to place before I came here, but now suddenly it’s not enough.”
“You want to settle, and I’m guessing Noah is a part of that?”
Lani nodded. She was doing what she’d vowed never to do, opening herself up to another person. But she did trust Katie, and she hadn’t told her everything.
“If you want my advice, Lani, you need to talk to someone, try and find a way to stop the running, and face what is in your past head-on. With help, maybe you could overcome it. I’m here, as is Cubby, and some of the others.”
“I agree, Lani.” Cubby stepped into the room. Clearly he’d been listening. “If you’re running because someone is threatening you, or in danger, let us help you.”
Could she?
“But tomorrow is soon enough to discuss this some more, not tonight. Tonight we’re going to have fun, and you are going to buy Noah at auction,” Katie said. “Because now we’re ready.”
“I’m not sure I want to do this,” Lani said.
“It’ll be fun, trust me.”
“She’s right. If there is one thing this town knows how to do, it’s have fun,” Cubby ushered them both, and Buddy, out of the house, and Lani realized she hadn’t looked in a mirror yet. Why that worried her more than the fact that she’d just told Katie and Cubby she was on the run and in danger, she had no idea.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Lani hadn’t arrived by the time the auction started.
“Where is she?” He stood at the rear beside Mrs. C. The woman wore a flowing white caftan with pink starbursts all over it and bright pink sandals. On her head was a matching turban with a large blue stone pinned to the middle. When she turned to face Noah, he saw sparkling blue eye shadow.
“She said she’d be here, so she’ll be here. Now relax and worry about where you’re taking me on our date when I win you.”
“I thought waterskiing.”
“Okay, but it would have to be tandem.”
“Then a long hike through the trails.”
“Do I get a kiss after?”
Noah laughed.
“The only man you kiss is me,” Hank said from beside her. Unlike his colorful wife, he wore gray pants and a white shirt.
“Oh, Hannah Neeps looks nice, considering.”
“Considering what?” he whispered into Mrs. C’s ear. He nearly gagged on the scent she wore, it was so strong.
“Considering she curses like a sailor.”
