“I tried to fight him, Mel. You know what happened.”
“But we didn’t make plans and get lawyered up. We’re older and wiser now.”
“Not yet. I-I just… not yet.”
“When, then? You can’t keep running. You need to come back and face up to this.”
“No. I can’t do that, he’s more powerful than me. No one will believe me. I tried, remember.”
“You need to try harder, and your dad was powerful, he will still have friends. Maybe we should try and contact one of them.” Mel was getting agitated. Lani knew because her voice was squeaky.
“We’ve been through this. I know that I can’t live this life forever, but for now it’s what I need to do. Maybe I’ll feel differently when I’m thirty and can inherit—”
“That’s two years away! Running only works for so long, Nutty. The more I think about this, the more I believe you need to come back, get a lawyer, talk to people who knew your parents.”
“I know running won’t work forever, and lately the pull to stop has been strong. I’m in this town, Mel, it’s… well, it’s hard to describe, but it makes me want to stay. Makes me want to have a home and friends.”
“I want that for you.”
“I know. I need to go now, Mel. I’ve couriered that stuff to you today. I need you to call this number as soon as you’ve tested it.”
“Okay, and I love you.”
“Love you too.” She ended the call. She’d never said that before. Mel always said she loved Lani, but she’d never reciprocated, until now.
“It’s that town,” Lani said, getting back in her car.
She’d driven to Brook last night, then slept in her car with Buddy, and as it turned out, Bandit. The cat had simply followed the dog into the Bronco and settled on the floor. When the post office opened, she had the package couriered overnight to Mel before calling her on the drive back to Lake Howling.
“It’s getting complicated, Buddy.” She looked at the dog, who was sitting beside her as he always did. She’d fitted him into a harness she’d bought from the pet store because she didn’t want him getting hurt if she braked hard. It now seemed she’d need one for the cat, who was sleeping yet again on the floor on one of her sweaters. “I mean, before I was happy to move about and never make friends, but now I have you Bandit and Lake Howling. There’s Mrs. C, Hank, and the others.”
The dog wuffled.
Driving down the hill and back into Lake Howling, Lani smiled as she caught sight of the lake glittering in the morning sun. It really was a picturesque setting. She noticed all the activity on the street and in front of the shops. Today was Potato Festival day.
Katie McBride, soon to be Hawker, was standing in the street and waved at her to stop.
“Hey, Lani, how’s it with you?” She leaned on the window. “We’re just letting people know we’re closing Main Street soon.”
Fit and vibrant, the woman was one of those who always looked good in whatever she wore. Today she wore a sweater with a turkey on the front and jeans. She and Cubby were always running or swimming, as far as Lani could tell.
“All good thanks, Katie.”
“I’ve been thinking about the cake for the wedding, and I really don’t want fussy. Mrs. C said I should go all traditional with three tiers and those little white pillars holding them up, but that’s not me or Cubby.”
The Hawker/McBride wedding was soon; in fact, just after Thanksgiving. Lani had thought to be gone by then.
“Could you maybe talk to her, Lani? I mean, you did that birthday cake with a few subtle flowers on for Anna Lynn, and I was thinking something like that?”
“I can try.”
Katie smiled. “Great, so you’ll be the one to decorate it?”
“If I’m here, sure.”
“You’re leaving?”
“I will at some stage.” Lani was subjected to a steady look. Buddy whined.
