“Henrietta Roberts Haigh. She used to put the fear of God into us all at school. Not much has changed, really.”
“She’s looks an intimidating woman.” Lani looked back at the stage. “I have to make a cake for her.”
She hadn’t wanted to sit next to Noah. Being this close was playing hell on her senses. The man smelled good.
Maybe it would be better if Lani just left town, after all. It wasn’t like she’d see Mrs. C again, so letting her down shouldn’t matter.
Strangely, it really did, and the thought of leaving depressed her.Just a bit longer. Soon she’d go; for now she’d keep her head down. No more mingling with the locals.
“Four days is not a great deal of time to get a festival organized, surely?” The woman who spoke was Millicent Lawrence. Lani heard Hope moan.
“Militant is her mother,” Noah whispered. “The woman was born angry, and it grew from there.”
“I met her this morning.”
“And you’re still standing, nice work.”
He had really nice eyes this close. The little golden flecks weren’t that easy to see from a distance. She liked his beard too; it added just the right touch of sexy.
“Lani is going to move in above the Howlery until those thefts calm down.”
Dragging her eyes from Noah, she looked at Mrs. C, who was smiling and looked vibrant. There was no sign of the woman who’d coughed and clutched her chest earlier, which doubled Lani’s belief that maybe she’d been played.
“Thefts?” she heard Buster say, then he grunted and added, “Oh, those thefts. Yes, it’s a nasty business.”
“Have you been burgled too, Buster?” Lani asked.
“Not yet, but you can’t be too cautious.”
“You need anything up there? Blankets, side tables?”
Lani was suddenly the focus of attention.
“Side tables, Noah? Really, that’s what you think she’d need?” Ethan asked.
“Need something to rest your night light on,” Noah added.
“No… thanks, I have enough stuff.”
“What about blankets? It’s getting cold,” Branna said.
“I have bedding in my Bronco.”
“Because you’re sleeping in it?” Noah thankfully whispered those words into her ear.
“I’ll have emails sent and flyers posted by tomorrow afternoon with competition details. I’ll need a committee!” HRH said into the microphone she’d taken out of Dr. Trask’s hands. The man did not look pleased, but Lani was happy for the distraction.
“I’d like to ask Dr. Trask some more questions before we get into organizing the Potato Festival, Henrietta,” Declan O’Donnell said, getting to his feet.
Lani watched as the man on the camera swung it her way. She moved closer to Noah so she was hidden. Unfortunately that just about put her in his lap.
“You want a cuddle, sweet cheeks?”
“Sorry.” She moved an inch.
“No need to apologize to me. I like the feel of you.”
“Stop that!” Lani hissed. Noah laughed softly under his breath.
