“No, you’re not a stranger! You’re a good girl who works hard.”
“That doesn’t mean you know me, Mrs. C.” In fact, she was a liar who was on the run.
The woman grabbed her chest, then bent over, coughing loudly. Loud, wracking coughs that had Lani hurrying to get a glass of water.
“Thank you.” She took the glass and drank several mouthfuls. Was she really sick? The thought made Lani’s stomach roll. Even in the few days she’d known the woman, she’d come to realize Mrs. C was a nice person… if a little unorganized and with a fashion sense to rival a color-blind peacock. Plus, there was the fact she’d taken a risk on Lani and employed her.
“Okay, I’ll stay here for a few days.”
“Really?” Mrs. C beamed, suddenly looking the picture of health. “I have bedding.”
“No need, I have some, and it’s just for a few days, or until the crime spree of the century has passed.” The woman didn’t even lower her eyes, so if she was lying, she was really good at it.
“Thank you, Lani, my mind is now at rest.”
“Excellent.” Lani had to admit that the thought of a roof over her head and actually sleeping in a bed for the first time in years was a nice one. Running water, too. That made her sigh.
“Buddy can stay and watch over you and the shop.”
“He does have a good growl,” Lani conceded.
She would also no longer need to worry about finding a new place to park her Bronco.
“But first you can come with me to the town meeting. You have a young, agile mind and will pick up things I may not.”
“What meeting?” she said, even as Mrs. C grabbed her arm and dragged her through the shop and out the front door. The really strange thing was that Lani let her. Let this woman move her in the direction she wanted Lani to take, and barely protested.Why?
Because no one has cared about you for so long.
“Town meeting about those shade houses Ethan thinks are occupied by aliens.”
Walking at Mrs. C’s side, she thought that it really was time to get out of Lake Howling before it would hurt too much to leave.
Chapter Fifteen
The Howler was busy, which suited Noah as it didn’t give him time to think. He had a draftsman come in and look over the renovation plans he’d drawn up. They had a wedding reception to host, and the restaurant and hotel were busy.
“Hey there, Mikey. Everything all good with you?”
The boy was walking through reception with his head down. “Sure, not sure why it wouldn’t be.”
“Me either.” Noah took a closer look at him. His face was pale, and he was sweaty. Had he lost weight? “You sick?”
“No. Why would you think that?” The boy took a step back.
“You don’t look so good. What’s up, Mikey? You know you can tell me, right?”
“Nothing’s wrong.”
He looked defensive and definitely not the open, friendly boy Noah knew. Mikey’s home life hadn’t been the best, but Jake and Branna looked out for him, as did the rest of them.
“Okay, well you come to me or any of the others if you need us.”
“I don’t need anything.”
“Sure, hear you there. Just letting you know I’m around. What shift are you on today?”
“I’m on tomorrow.” The boy looked down at his feet. “Can I have my pay early, Noah?”
