His chuckle was low and warm, but even half-asleep, I could feel the tension humming beneath his skin. He was already half gone, mind turning toward whatever dangerous mission waited for him.
“I’ll go over to the parade and your Nana’s shop opening today,” he said, voice rough with fatigue. “But I leave tomorrow.”
Tomorrow. The word landed hard.
He brushed my hair away from my shoulder and kissed the bare skin there, his lips lingering for a moment longer than necessary. I rolled to face him, trailing my fingers along his chest, feeling the steady rise and fall beneath my palm.
“Well then,” I whispered. “We’d better make this morning count.”
The corner of his mouth lifted, slow and dangerous.
Chapter 23
The shop opening was a huge success, with Nana selling out of most of her lotions, all of her teas, and even some hand-made cards. She closed about an hour before the parade started and then promised to reopen afterward. There were still candles to sell, after all.
I happily loafed around after helping her, glad to have some time off. The air smelled of roasted nuts, fried dough, and the faint sweetness of kettle corn. Music drifted from a nearby speaker, something lively with a drumbeat that made a few kids start dancing near the curb. The day had that festival hum to it, the low thrum of laughter and chatter that carried through the cool air.
I wandered between colorful booths with a latte in my hand, sipping contentedly. Steam curled up against my face as I walked. After a wonderful morning with Aiden, I had come over the pass feeling light and ready to have fun with my family before Nana put me to work.
The parade would start in less than an hour.
Vendors called out greetings, trying to sell everything from handmade soaps to green bead necklaces. I bought a small bag of homemade fudge from a cheerful woman who looked like she’d been awake since dawn, then a delicate pair of Irish earrings with tiny green stones that sparkled when they caught the sun. They looked like luck, and at that point, I figured I could use a little.
The air smelled of rain and fryer oil, and a man at the corner shouted about corned beef sandwiches. I passed a group of teenagers wearing paper hats shaped like leprechauns and tried not to laugh.
Silverville never half-assed a holiday.
By the time I reached Gloria Walton’s booth, I had relaxed enough that I could admire the decorations. Her setup was neat and polished, like something out of a glossy health magazine. Vitamins, supplements, and powders stood in perfect rows. Each label gleamed under the sunlight.
I reached for a pack of multivitamins and flipped it over. “Do these have extra iron?”
Both Brooke and Gloria looked up from behind the table. They wore matching green aprons, and both looked a bit harried. Apparently they’d been busy so far. Gloria stepped closer, her hair perfect and curly. It looked like she’d added dark blond strands throughout the gray. “Yeah, but this one’s better.” She switched the bottle out for another, a rounder one. “Not as expensive either.”
I took it, giving her a small nod. “Thanks, Gloria.”
Brooke ran my card through the reader, the little machine chirping with approval. She leaned toward me. “Um, have you talked to Clark?”
“Not much lately. We’ve both been busy,” I said. We probably needed to have a firm meeting soon, just to get up to speed on each other’s cases.
She handed me the card and leaned toward me. “Would you talk to him for me? I’m just not ready to settle down, but I don’t want to lose him.”
I knew better. “I think you should talk to him yourself. He wouldn’t like me in the middle of you two.”
She rolled her eyes. “Whatever.”
Gloria crossed her arms and gave me a look that wasn’t quite unfriendly, but was definitely curious. “That was quite the spectacle last night.”
I groaned. “I know, but I think we got a lot of things cleared up.”
Brooke snorted. “The news article was hilarious. The picture of you should be framed.” She turned and moved to the other side of the booth to start stacking protein supplements, just as Henry Johnston walked up, handing her a bouquet.
She giggled and took them. Apparently he’d been able to track her down. That woman definitely wasn’t ready to settle down, and she didn’t have a type at all. Clark was sweet and brilliant, Henry was clumsy and kind of slimy, and Brad Backleboff was an ass.
Henry waved at me. “Hey. You looking to hire me yet?” He wore a white sweater with bright green pants that were a mite too short.
“Sorry, but we’re happy with the folks we have in place.”
He leaned over to whisper to Brooke.
