by Vella, Wendy
“No.”
“Major criminal?”
“No again.”
Katie’s smile was gentle. “Well, that is good to know, and you remember what I said, Lani. You need either of us, you only have to call.”
“Oh God, no, no, no,” Lani whispered as she drove slowly down the road to pull in and park behind the Howlery.
What was with the people in this town—were they psychic or something? How come so many of them knew she was hiding something?
Wiping her hands on her jeans, she, Buddy, and Bandit got out of the car. She let herself in, hurried upstairs to her room, grabbed some clothes, and showered. Once that was done, Lani ran back downstairs and fed the animals.
“Oh, you’re back. Your Bronco was missing when I arrived.” Mrs. C wore a pumpkin-colored sweater dress that came to her knees. On the front were leaves and more pumpkins. On her legs were thick green wool tights. She wore a small brown hat on her head.
“I…. Ah, nice outfit. A bit subdued for you, don’t you think?”
Mrs. C waved her neon green fingernails at Lani.
“Much better.”
“Okay, well, I have your outfit, you need to change.”
“Outfit?”
“All the shop owners are dressing up.”
“I don’t own a shop,” Lani said in what she thought was a reasonable voice.
“But I do, and you work for me. Now put this on.” Mrs. C thrust a bag at her.
“You’re kidding me.”
“No. Hurry, we have to set up. You come here, sweetie, and I’ll put your costume on too.”
Lani watched Buddy trot up to Mrs. C. She then proceeded to fit him into a pumpkin-colored dog shirt and a green ruffle. Bandit ran upstairs.
Smart cat.
“Oh, come on, surely you don’t expect him to humiliate himself by walking about in that?”
“He loves it.”
She was right. Buddy didn’t appear too worried that Mrs. C had just emasculated him.
“Now go and change.”
Knowing when she was beaten—and who put a roof over her head and paid her wages—Lani dragged her feet all the way upstairs. She pulled on the costume, which consisted of green leggings and a short tunic. The hat had a point and was in the same fall colors. In fact, her outfit was identical to Mrs. C’s, only shorter. Refusing to look in the mirror, as she’d never leave this room if she did, Lani stomped her feet back into her boots and headed down the stairs and into the shop.
“Right, the trestle is set up, we just need to take the baked goods outside. I’ve already started,” Mrs. C said, running her eyes over Lani. “Nice.”
“Nice is not the word I’d use.”
“Stop muttering and get working.”
She grabbed up a tray of muffins and walked out the front door. Main Street was bustling. Beside her, the Howler’s staff were setting up a fryer for french fries and loading the tables with plates and condiments. Thankfully, Noah was nowhere in sight. She was doubly grateful that there was no sign of either Katie McBride or Sheriff Hawker.
At least they wouldn’t uncover anything if they googled her.
“Make it look nice, Lani.” Mrs. C dumped a cake beside the muffins.
Lani proceeded to spend the next twenty minutes taking stuff from inside the store and setting up the table so it looked good.
“The Roar looks amazing.” Lani looked around them at the other stores. “I particularly like the blow-up pumpkin on the roof.”
“Mac’s had that for years,” Mrs. C said. “There were three of them, but a Findlay brother shot a hole in one, and the other blew away when we had a bad storm back in 1972.”
“Good that one survived then.”
“Look at Sheriff Hawker. He and Katie are spray-painting potatoes on the window of the Lair,” Mrs. C, clapped her hands. “I love how this town gets behind a festival.”
“You’re all crazy, if you ask me.”
“Just as well no one is then.”
“I was thinking about the McBride/Hawker wedding cake this morning. Maybe we could do something simple. I mean, they don’t look like the fussy type to me. You know, subtle flowers, two layers. Classy but homey, which is what you’re known for,” Lani lied. In fact, Mrs. C’s cakes were just like her. Over the top and outrageous.
“I was going for five tiers and lots of icing. I thought maybe a diamond theme.”
“Do you really think Katie McBride is the fussy type, Mrs. C? I mean, I’ve only known her a short time and I can see she’s pretty no-nonsense and ruffle free.”
The woman sighed. “What is with you young people being understated. Flashy is my motto.”
“But we can’t all carry it off like you, so we don’t try.”
“True.” Mrs. C sighed again. “Do you think that’s what Katie wants?”
“I do.”
“They’re far too good-looking, that McBride family.” Jake had arrived and was standing with his sister.
“Nice cheekbones,” Lani agreed.
“I can’t achieve those without makeup.”
Lani looked at the slash of bright pink blusher on Mrs. C’s cheek. “You’d never know that wasn’t natural.”
“Such a sweet girl for lying to an old woman.” She patted Lani’s cheek. “Now stay alert for thievery; this event will be the perfect occasion. I need to get us a coffee.”
Lani leaned against the shop front and tried to look inconspicuous. No way did she want anyone else seeing her dressed like this. She wouldn’t be leaving her post today.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Noah had wandered out the front door of the Howler, and there she was. Lani dressed like a pumpkin… well, at least in fall colors. She wore a fitted dress that looked far nicer on her than what she usually wore, and leggings. He couldn’t see her feet but knew she’d have her ugly boots on. Buddy was leaning against the shop front beside her, also in costume.
“Hey, boy.” He bent to scratch behind an ear while keeping his eyes on Lani. “Nice outfit. Where’d you go last night?”
“I’m busy here, Noah, shouldn’t you be with your staff doing organizing things?”
“No, they have it covered. Answer the question, Lani.”
She had to look at him, because he wasn’t moving, standing right in front of her.
“Those pumpkin muffins look good, Lani.”
“Thanks, Mr. Heath.” She shuffled along a few steps.
“Just Walt, girl.”
She smiled, and Noah felt an irrational surge of jealousy. Great, he’s married, old enough to be her grandfather, and I’m jealous of him.
“I’ll take two of those. Lizzie and I can have them for afternoon tea.”
Lani boxed the order. Noah stood watching her.
“You buying something, or just looking the goods over?” Walt asked.
“Buying and looking,” Noah said, looking at Lani. She was nervous, but then she usually was when he was near.
“See you both round.”
“See ya, Walt,” Noah said. Lani waved.
“So last night?”
“I took Buddy for a walk.”
“Did you know that your shoulders hunch when you’re lying? Plus, you took the Bronco.”
“They do not.”
“Where did you go, Lani?”
She should look ridiculous in that hat; instead she looked cute and sweet, and several other words that escaped him at that precise moment.
“I sent that stuff Mikey smoked to my friend, okay? Not that it was any of your business.”
“Why didn’t you just say that?”
“Walt said your cupcakes look good, so I’m getting some for Annabelle.” Tex slapped the hand Noah held out to him by way of a greeting. “Four thanks, Lani.”
Lani boxed the cupcakes.
“Why are you standing here not working?” Tex took a cupcake out of the box.
“I’m talking to Lani, but she’s not answering.”
“Yeah, wh
y’s that?”
“I’m working!” Lani snapped. “He should be doing the same.”
“He has staff.” Tex bit into a cupcake. “Can you box me up four more?” He handed over the money.
“Well, I’m staff, so go away and let me do staff things,” she snapped.
“He bugging you, Lani?” Cubby wandered up in full sheriff mode.
“Yes, arrest him,” she muttered.
“For what?”
“Loitering.”
“Actually, that could work.” Cubby looked at Noah, but as he wore his aviators, he couldn’t read his expression. “I’ll take five of those cupcakes, thanks, Lani.”
She boxed the cupcakes.
“I think his punishment should be that he has to enter the potato and spoon race,” Tex said, licking frosting off his fingers.
“That could work. But he needs a partner. You have to be tied at the ankle, and one of them has to carry the potato on the spoon. The run is down Main Street,” Cubby added. “I think most of the people are paired now, so we may struggle to find him anyone. Him being so ugly and all.”
“Excuse me, I want to see what is for sale!”
“Sorry, Ms. Lawrence.” Noah and the other two men moved to one side so the woman could stand in front of the table. She then proceeded to ask Lani the ingredients of every single item while they stood silently and watched.
“So ask her.”
“What?” Noah looked at Cubby.
“Ask Lani to go in the potato race with you.”
“I’m not doing that race; I have to work.”
“You just said you don’t. Plus, you’re the boss, delegate,” Tex said. “Or are you just scared we’ll all beat you?”
“That only works on fifth graders.”
“Okay, well if you’re sure, I’ll ask Lani to do it with me, as Annabelle is not up to it.”
He swallowed the words he wanted to say and nodded. “You do that.” Noah walked away and knew his friends were watching.
He checked on the staff, and as he’d known they would, they had everything under control, so he wandered off… away from Lani.
She was a closed book, and he wanted to know what was written on those pages. She was hiding something, but what?
“Noah, you got a minute?”
“Sure, Katie. What’s up?” The sheriff’s girl was carrying a small bag of something.
“Want some?”
Looking inside, he found fudge. The McBrides loved the stuff. He took a piece and popped it into his mouth.
“What do you know about Lani?”
His eyes shot that way automatically. Her hat had fallen sideways, and she was busy. Mrs. C was there too now.
“Not much. Why?”
“Not sure, really. Cop instinct, maybe. But I’m sure she’s running, or something like that.”
“What exactly do you mean by running?”
“Something bad in her past that she’s getting away from.”
“That’s some speculation, considering she hasn’t said a word on the matter.”
“It is, but then you’ve talked to her, so I’d hoped you could shed some light on her past.”
“I know she likes to bake and is devoted to peanut butter.”
“Who isn’t?”
“People who don’t like peanut butter, is my guess.”
“Tell me you’re not one of them, because I don’t honestly know if we can still be friends if you are.”
“No, we’re sweet. I like it.”
Katie exhaled loudly.
“So, getting back to Lani. I think you could be right and she’s running, but how do we get her to talk?” Noah said.
“Not sure we can, especially as she’s leaving soon. My worry is the same as Cubby’s. If she’s in danger—”
“Do you think she is?”
“I don’t know that, Noah, I’m just saying if she is. The worry is that it follows her here.”
“She’s been traveling for a while.”
“She told you that?”
“I read between the lines.”
“I can’t find anything about her when I search, which would suggest she is using a different name.”
“You searched the internet for her?” Why hadn’t he thought of that?
“Cubby did, actually. He likes to know the background of people who come into Howling and stay.”
“And nothing came up on Lani Sullivan?” Noah said, intrigued.
“Not our Lani Sullivan.”
“Everyone leaves a footprint, right?”
“Exactly.” Katie nodded.
“I asked her if that was her real name, actually.”
“And she just came right out and said no it wasn’t,” Katie scoffed. “Seriously, Noah, if she’s been on the run for that long, she’s not just going to come clean because you want her to.”
“Right. Gotcha.”
“So clearly, if you’ve had these kinds of conversations, you’re interested in her.”
He choked on his fudge, the sugar hitting the back of his throat and making him cough. Katie waited patiently for him to stop.
“So?”
“So, what?”
“Interested?”
He shrugged. “I need to get back, they’re busy.”
“Sure you do, and it’s nothing to do with the questions I’m asking you.”
“All contestants in the potato race, please assemble at the end of the street!” Mr. Hope’s words reached every corner of town. He had the microphone and was directing things at the festival. He usually took control at these events. Once a teacher at the local school, he could project his voice better than anyone.
“Oooh, come on.” The serious Detective Katie McBride giggled and clapped her hands. “Cubby and I are going to win this. Go grab your partner, Noah, and I’ll see you at the start line.”
“I didn’t get a partner, so I’ll cheer you on and heckle the others,” Noah said.
“Lani’s free. Mrs. C’s there, go get her.”
“Will you let this Lani and me thing go, please?”
She walked away, flapping her arms like chicken wings and clucking. Shaking his head, Noah went back to the Howler. Mrs. C intercepted him.
“We have a break in the crowd. Lani’s free for you to partner in the potato and spoon race.” Her long eyelashes fluttered, and that outfit was really something.
“How the hell did you get those sequins on your eyelids? Better yet, aren’t they uncomfortable?”
“Never mind that.” She swatted him on the arm. “Move it, boy. Lani needs a reason to stay here, and I’m fixing to make you part of that.”
“What?” He stepped back.
“Move it. That Findlay boy is approaching, and he’s been sniffing around Lani all day.”
“Which one?” Noah looked at Lani, then to the left and saw Mitch Findlay lurking there. “Why’d you let him talk to her? The guy’s a loser.”
“He’s trying to do better, but it’s not working yet. Now get along, Noah, for pity’s sake. I don’t want her tied at the ankle to Mitch!”
The thought actually made him feel nauseous. A hand in his back pushed him forward, and in seconds he was at the table.
“Of course I don’t mind,” Mrs. C said in a loud voice. “Lani would love to do the race with you, Noah. Now run along, dear.”
“What?” Lani was shuffling paper bags around, trying not to look at him.
“Noah wants you to compete in the potato and spoon race with him.”
“No.” Her head shook so fast, the hat dislodged and slid sideways. “I don’t do those kinds of things. I’m not competitive.”
“Sure you do, and everyone is competitive.” He grabbed her hand as Mitch arrived at the table and pulled her from behind it. “Let’s go.”
Nodding to Mrs. C, he started walking. She had to move or land on her face.
“Let me go, Noah.”
“I don’t have a partner, you’re free, so what’s the problem here?
”
“I don’t want to do it.”
“You’ll enjoy it.”
“No… I won’t.”
He ignored her arguments as he walked them up the street to where the other competitors had assembled.
“You can’t force me into doing this.” Lani tried to shake her arm free.
“What’s the problem here? You allergic to fun?”
“It’s not fun if you don’t want to do it.”
Now he could get a good look at her, Noah had to say the short pumpkin-colored dress and green leggings were really something. “You look nice in that.”
“It’s a pumpkin costume, and I’m going back to Mrs. C.”
“But it isn’t two sizes too big.”
“I’m not discussing my clothing choices with you again.”
“You actually choose those clothes?”
“Asshole.”
“And here we are at the start, so you may as well stay.”
“Hey, Lani, don’t bother participating in the race, me and Cubby will win,” Katie called from her place further down the line. Lani stiffened but didn’t add anything.
“You may as well head back, Lani. I mean, I’m not good at this kind of thing, but my man is awesome, so we’ll likely win,” Hope said.
As they walked down the line, everyone heckled them, and with each step Lani’s spine stiffened.
“If you want to head back, I won’t stop you,” Noah said as they reached a gap in line. “I mean, it’s pretty daunting racing these guys if you’re not used to it.”
“Listen to him, Lani, we’ll kick your ass,” Faith said. She was running with Tex.
“Tell me what I have to do.” Lani had a fierce look in her eyes.
Not competitive, my ass.
“I thought you didn’t want to compete.”
“Shut up and tell me what I have to do.”
He swallowed his smile as HRH approached with scarves over her arm.
“It’s fairly standard, all of these races are the same, but it’s what you carry that changes. Eggs, potatoes… not overly taxing.”
“I’ve never done it before,” she said out of the side of her mouth so no one but him heard.
“What, never?”
She shook her head.
“Legs together,” HRH ordered.
“Said every mother to every daughter at some stage in their lifetime,” Noah muttered.