“Hey there, Buddy.” Katie bent to look at the passenger seat where the dog was sitting. “The cat’s new. Is that the one you found out the back of the Howlery?”
“Yes.”
“You keeping it too?”
“I’m really not sure. I mean, Buddy will travel okay, but Bandit—”
“He looks comfortable.”
“I’ll think about it.”
“I think they’ve both found their homes with you.”
Katie’s words made a lump form in Lani’s throat.
“It’s nice having a special someone, don’t you think? Before I found Cubby, I was lost. He found me and brought me back home.”
“Oh, th-that’s nice.” Lani sniffed.
“I was in a ton of trouble, and Cubby looked out for me, helped me when I needed help. I just didn’t realize I needed it till he pointed it out to me.”
There is plenty of ugly in this town.It seemed Hope had been right.
Lani looked at the woman leaning on her window, and met the steady gaze.
“Here’s the thing, Lani, I know the look of a person who is not where they want to be in their life, and you’ve had that look since you arrived in Howling. Granted, it’s easing, and I’ve seen you smile, but Cubby and I think all is not right in your world.”
“Wh-what?” That fist had closed around her chest again.
“You in trouble, Lani?”
“I-I…. Why would you ask that?”
“I asked because if you are, then come to me or Cubby, and we’ll help you. I didn’t ask because I want to run you out of town. I asked because I was running once too, and I know the look of a person who is scared.”
“I’m not!” She hadn’t meant to yell, but it came out that way. “I-I need to go.”
“You have nothing to fear here in Lake Howling.”
“I-I know that.”
“Did you kill anyone?”
“No!”
“You on hard drugs?”
“No.”
“Major criminal?”
“No again.”
Katie’s smile was gentle. “Well, that is good to know, and you remember what I said, Lani. You need either of us, you only have to call.”
“Oh God, no, no, no,” Lani whispered as she drove slowly down the road to pull in and park behind the Howlery.
What was with the people in this town—were they psychic or something? How come so many of them knew she was hiding something?
