“Please, Thomas, we need to talk. This has to end,” she pleaded.
I felt bad for my foolish brother, seeing people starting to look our way. “Take her somewhere private and talk, but not too long. We’ll be getting another rush soon with the late sleepers ready to start their day.”
“We need to talk. You need to leave with me now,” Lola demanded.
“He can’t. He’s working,” I said as if I were his boss, though in a way I am since I’m part owner of the garden center.
“Pepper’s right, Lola, I can’t leave. We’ll talk for a few minutes now and finish it later,” Thomas said, more firmly than I expected.
“No, you have to come with me now,” Lola insisted.
“Is there a problem here?”
The firm familiar voice had us all turning to the side to see the sheriff heading our way.
CHAPTER 13
Ismiled. Thomas didn’t, seeing our dad’s stern expression more of a sheriff’s inquiry than a dad’s concern.
“No problem, Dad,” Thomas said, taking Lola by the arm, then glanced my way quickly. “I’ll only be a minute, sis.” And with that said he hurried Lola toward the parking lot and her car.
“What’s that all about?” my dad asked.
“I wish I knew, but it looks like something is wrong in paradise.”
“Don’t go interfering in your brother’s relationship,” my dad warned.
“You think Lola’s a good match for Thomas?”
“That’s not the point. It’s your brother’s choice.”
I folded my arms across my chest and tilted my head at him. “Really? I don’t recall you saying anything when I helped Danny not make an idiot of himself with Kelly and lose his chance with her forever. Or how about Josh, who is making an idiot out of himself with Kate and making a mess of their new relationship?”
“Has he? I really think Kate’s good for him.”
I grinned at my dad and he shook his head.
“All right, so you help your brothers out with their relationships.”
“Unlike them who sabotaged any relationship I tried to have since high school.”
“Not Ian. They really like him. He’s a keeper.”
“He sure is,” I agreed, “and I am keeping him.” I scrunched my brow. “What are you doing here this time of day?” I didn’t wait for an answer, and I couldn’t help but chuckle. “You’re hiding from mom again, aren’t you?”
I knew I was right when he cringed.
“You really need to talk to her about how close you want her working with you.”
“She’s the mayor, which makes her my boss.”
“But to Mom, her husband comes first. He always has. You need to talk to her.” I gave his arm a light squeeze. “Really, Dad, talk with her—” I chuckled. “—before you go bald.”
I couldn’t help but tease him since he told me I was the cause of his hair turning white prematurely. So, now his hair had no other place to go then to fall out from worry.
“Funny, Pepper, funny,” he said.
“Do it, Dad. I think you will be surprised with the results,” I said a bit more seriously since I didn’t want to see the situation grow into something it shouldn’t.
