“A compost pile. Did you know it can get up to a hundred and fifty-five degrees Fahrenheit?”
“I just want it because I’m tired of paying so much for garbage pickup at Girl Meets Fig,” Edith said. “If I can just chuck all the food waste into the compost bin, then I don’t have to pay that much for trash pickup.”
I paused a minute while Hunter snorted into his coffee.
“Mrs. Roberts, you can’t just throw trash into the compost pile. It has to be leaves and vegetables, maybe eggshells, not whatever is left of people’s steaks and fish bones.”
“She’s right, Edith,” Bettina scolded. “That’s why we need some goats out there!”
“You have a goat, don’t you, Hunter?”
“I don’t think we need goats running around Harrogate,” he said with a grimace. “My brother adopted one for his girlfriend, and it’s been a nightmare. It’s a billy goat and very territorial.”
“But Sadie feeds it garbage,” Edith protested.
“I have no knowledge of what Sadie does with that goat.”
“Goat herding could be part of the job training program,” Bettina insisted. “I was out with Ernest—”
“You were with Ernest last night?” Dottie asked in shock. “But I told you I wanted him!”
“The compost pile…”
The elderly women ignored me and glared at each other.
“Why don’t we table the discussion?” Hunter suggested, standing up in one fluid motion.
The women continued to argue while I automatically picked up several of the cups to help Hunter clear up the tea service.
“It’s like this every week,” I said once we were out of earshot in the kitchen. “The meeting is derailed. Nothing is decided.” I set down the cups on the kitchen counter.
Hunter ran a hand over his jaw, one hip against the large kitchen island. His abs flexed.
“Why can’t you put on a shirt?” I huffed. “And why can’t you show up at city hall for a meeting?”
Hunter just grinned down at me. “Please, Meg. You organized this specifically to catch me alone.”
“I never!” I turned up my nose, trying not to look at him.
He pushed off the counter, then in one step, he was in front of me. Was he going to kiss me?
You’ve had a hard week, I reminded myself. Might be nice.
“I have another meeting,” I croaked.
“I wasn’t suggesting we do anything,” Hunter said in a low voice.
“Then why are you standing so close to me?” The heat radiated off his bare skin. The familiar sharp, clean masculine scent wafted off him. I wanted to bury my face in his chest.
Hunter reached out and tilted my chin up. His eyes were a warm gray. “Do you need anything, Meg?” Soft smile. “Besides the usual? I’ll give you anything. You know that. I’m always here for you.”
My life was so shitty. I just wanted to fall into his arms and let him save me.
Instead, I backed away. “I’m fine. I’ll see you at the Harrogate Foundation meeting tomorrow morning. Don’t be late again.”
“Why? Because you’ll show up at my house, hoping to get a glimpse of me half-dressed?” Hunter said, eyes half-lidded.
I squawked, “No!”
