“Afternoon, Declan.”
“Cubby.”
“You okay there, Miss McBride?”
“Peachy.” Katie straightened and looked at Cubby. He was angry, his eyes going from her to Mitch.
“He bothering you?”
“Not now he isn’t,” Katie said, sending Mitch a look. He, however, had his eyes closed and seemed to be sleeping. She was pretty sure she hadn’t knocked him out. Dropping to her knees, she checked his breathing and opened his eyes. He let out a loud snore, which told her she’d been right.
“Nice move.” Cubby now stood on the other side of Mitch. “That one I taught you?”
“Not sure, I’ve had other training since then.”
“Always good to upskill to my way of thinking. How about you, Declan?”
“Sound idea. I always take writing courses to ensure I don’t go stale.”
Katie couldn’t believe they were having this discussion over the sleeping Mitch Finlay.Only in Lake Howling, she thought, shaking her head.
“You going into the Roar?”
“I am,” she said to Cubby, then turned around and did just that. She heard the rumble of men’s voices and knew Declan would be relaying word for word what had happened between her and Mitch.
The smell hit her the minute she stepped inside. A mix of candles, homemade soap, perfume, and everything else the Roar stocked.
“Hey there, Mac.” Katie waved at the proprietor.
“Katie, good to see you home.”
“You okay, Katie?” Declan O’Donnell, aka best-selling crime writer DJ O’Donnell, rested a hand on her back. He was Branna’s father and had the same soft burr to his voice as his daughter. Long and lean, with dark hair and green eyes that still made female hearts thud, he had settled into Howling after sorting out the mess he’d made of his relationship with his daughter, and the people here had nearly accepted him as one of their own. No one would admit it outright, but his transition had gone smoother due to his fame.
“Fine thanks, Declan. Great to see you.” Katie kissed his cheek. “I met your granddaughter last night, and fell in love.”
“Happens to anyone who lays eyes on her. The lass is charmed, I’m sure of it.” His smile lit his face and Katie wondered why no one had snapped this man up. She’d heard rumors of him and a local school teacher—Ellen Todd—but those were as yet to be substantiated.
As there were a few customers milling about, they moved down the store. Katie shot a look out the glass door to make sure Mitch didn’t make any more trouble, and saw Cubby talking to him.
“That man’s an idiot, and he’s not going to be happy until he drags his brothers to hell right alongside him,” Declan said. “Thankfully, Beth managed to escape.”
“She’s doing okay?”
“She is, and the baby is a lovely little boy. She and Cy are very comfortable with each other, and the only blight on their existence from where I’m standing is her brothers.”
“I’m glad she got out,” Katie said and meant it.
They talked for a while, and she shopped because you couldn’t step foot inside this place and not buy something. Homemade chocolate, soap, candles, and she threw in a soft throw in mint green that would look good in her apartment in LA.
Once she’d paid, she headed out to stow everything in the trunk of Branna’s car. There was no sign of Mitch or Cubby.
“Get over here, little girl!”
Katie watched the long-legged beauty that was Annabelle Smith approach. Ethan’s girlfriend and longtime friend to her brother and her, she was one of Katie’s favorite people.
“My God, you’ve grown into a beauty,” Annabelle said, opening her arms as she drew close. “Give me a hug now!”
Long arms wrapped around her and then Katie was squeezed gently.
