Nate grabbed her hand before everybody’s coffee got upended. “Please tell me you didn’t invite anybody here while my mom is away. We’re technically closed.”
“I thought you said it was technically open,” said Lottie.
“Closed, open, right now I’m in the middle of doing a lot of work,” said Nate. Or at least he would be if he wasn’t wasting so much time on these ridiculous meetings.
“Couldn’t agree more,” said Georgie. “Which is why I wouldn’t dream of bringing a celebrity here. I offered up Barb’s barn instead.”
Barb gasped and patted her heart. “My barn would be honored.”
“I can’t say as much for the celebrity,” said Lottie. “Unless he’s Mister Ed, why on earth would anyone want to come see Barb’s barn?”
“It’s a very nice barn,” said Barb.
“Even so—” started Lottie.
“Would you just let me finish?” yelled Georgie.
When Lottie clamped her puckered lips shut, Georgie inhaled a deep breath, then continued in a more subdued tone. “I got the idea from a podcast.”
“I didn’t know you knew how to listen to podcasts, Georgie,” said Barb, her voice full of awe as she handed the knitting needles and yarn back to Evie. “Try loosening your stitches.”
“I don’t know a lick about podcasts,” said Georgie. “But the girl I hire to help declutter my house whenever she’s on school break listens to them all the time. Usually it’s about murder. But a few weeks ago she had one playing and this time it was an interview with a famous celebrity who raised money for charity by asking people to make bids online for him to visit their home. Then that’s what he did. He went to that person’s house and put on a concert right there in their backyard. Got me thinking I should reach out and see about someone doing that exact same thing here. So that’s what I did.”
“Uh-huh. And who’s this supposed celebrity?” Lottie asked. “Because I guarantee you norealcelebrity in their right mind is going to want to visit Bugle. No offense.”
“Yesoffense,” said Georgie. “What’s wrong with here, other thanyourbad attitude?”
“Did you ever think my bad attitude might have something to do withyourbad leadership when it comes to the proper way of running a committee?”
“Not once.”
“Okay, okay,” Gus said like a boxing referee waving the opponents back to their corners. “Let’s get back to the celebrity.”
“The one who isn’t coming?” muttered Lottie.
“The one who, I’ll have you know, has already expressed a strong interest in visiting, so long as there isn’t a scheduling conflict.”
Soon as Georgie’s hand twitched, Nate grabbed it. “No more slapping the table.”
“So who is it?” Evie said, already trying to unravel another tangle of yarn from her needles. “Come on, Georgie, you’ve got to tell us.”
“Yes, Georgie,” said Lottie. “We’re simply all ears.”
“I’m not saying anything until it’s official.”
“Shocking,” said Lottie.
“But you could at least tell us if it’s a guy or a girl, right?” said Gus.
“Or what kind of celebrity this person is,” said Barb. “Movies? Music?”
“Or if the person’s cute,” said Evie.
“Nope. Not saying anything. Not a word. Not a single word,” said Georgie.
“Until she tells you the words ‘Nobody’s coming,’” muttered Lottie.
Georgie shot her a glare, then said, “Fine. One clue. But that’s it. You ready?”
