“Why?”
“Because we’re having a potato festival.”
“I thought you were against whatever was going on down there in those greenhouses.”
“I am, but surely you’ve heard the expression keep your friends close, and your enemies closer?”
He wasn’t sure, as she’d turned to face Mrs. C, but thought she said “amen to that.”
Chapter Sixteen
Lani looked to where the man called Dr. Trask stood. He was smooth and confident, which wasn’t a crime but it didn’t lean her toward liking him. She’d met plenty of those kinds of men, and her opinion wasn’t favorable.
“Why are you slouching again?”
“I’m not.” Lani sat upright, her eyes on the camera that was recording the meeting. It wasn’t pointed her way, but still, she wasn’t taking any risks.
“It’s really bad for your posture,” Noah added.
“Maybe I don’t care about my posture.”
“You should.” Jake turned to face her. “Slouching can cause all kinds of body issues in your senior years.”
“Senior years, that’s what we’re calling then now?” Noah asked.
Jake flipped him the bird. These people were always annoying each other, and it was all in the name of friendship.Weird.
“You see Mikey yet, Jake?”
“I did, and you’re right, something’s off with him, Noah, but he’s not talking. Bran’s tried, and me, but he just keeps saying he’s okay.”
“He’s not.” Branna joined the conversation. “I’m really worried about him.”
“I’ll see Connor today, he’s working on some catering for me,” Buster said. “I’ll ask him what he knows.”
“Who is Connor?”
“Mikey’s brother.”
“And what’s wrong with Mikey?” Lani shouldn’t ask, but she really wanted to know. She hadn’t spent time with the boy, but she’d liked what she’d seen of him at Rose’s party.
“He’s off with his attitude, and he doesn’t look right,” Noah said.
“He’s fifteen. Maybe he’s just turning into an awkward teenager,” Macy said.
“No.” Branna shook her head. “This is more, I’m sure of it.”
“Okay, we’ll all keep an eye on him,” Macy added.
They had each other’s backs, and that must be nice, Lani thought.
“So, Potato Day is in four days! All proceeds go to the upgrade of the church,” someone said.
“Now HRH is involved, it’s in stone,” Noah said.
“What does HRH stand for?”
Noah looked at her. Their eyes locked, and that zing of awareness shot through her.
