“Why would cursing like a sailor change her appearance?” Jake said over his shoulder. He was standing in front of them.
“It just does. Why do you young people constantly question me?”
“Because you love to argue,” Noah said, looking to the door. Still no sign of Lani.
“She’s always been the same,” Hank added. “It’s what I love about her.”
Mrs. C melted and blew her husband a kiss.
“Will you two stop doing that? It gives women unreasonable expectations of how a man should behave,” Noah groused.
“She’s my princess,” Hank said. “The love of your life should always be the person you would die for.” Hank rarely talked; if he did, it was to say something important. This was one of those times.
“Oh, Hank.” Branna sniffed. “That was beautiful.”
“Like I said, you’re spoiling it for the rest of us,” Noah muttered.
“Welcome, ladies and gentlemen!”
Mr. Hope was on the microphone. He explained what the proceeds of the night would be spent on and thanked Noah and Faith for hosting the event. He then introduced Hannah as a sweet-natured young lady who liked reading by the lake and taking boat rides. Her favorite food was fudge.
“No surprise there.” Mrs. C snorted.
Lani entered as Mr. Henry won a night with Hannah, and he couldn’t drag his eyes from the vision she presented. He felt like he’d swallowed his tongue.
She looked uncertain, nervous, and why the hell was she arriving with Cubby and Katie? He’d known she had a killer body, known she was beautiful, but seeing it all there exposed nearly dropped him to his knees.
The dress was simple. Buttons up the front, short sleeves, and the hem stopped a few inches above her knees. She was wearing tan wedges. Someone, he was guessing Katie, had styled her hair. Lani normally had messy curls, but now they were tamed into a soft, silky black cloud. Her eyes looked bigger, and he realized that was because for the first time since he’d met her, she wore makeup.
“What?”
“What?” He wheezed as Mrs. C elbowed him in the ribs.
“You made a sound, like a wounded animal.”
“I did not. Have you seen Lani?”
Mrs. C turned and found her.
“Lordy me, will you look at that girl. Finally someone has taken her in hand. I was getting there, but she keeps resisting me.”
“I’m looking.”
“Well, don’t just stand there gaping like a landed trout, get over there before someone else talks to her.” She thumped him hard in the back and set him moving.
“Lani,” he managed to get out around the lump in his throat.
“Hi.”
“You look amazing.”
Her eyes shot left and right.
“Excuse us for a minute, Cubby, Katie. I need to speak with Lani about something.”
Katie had a silly smile on her face. Cubby simply nodded.
“I want to watch the auction.” Lani tried to shake her hand free from his grip.
