by Vella, Wendy
“You drive that coffee monster?” Noah said as he returned.
“Sure. Two coffees coming up.”
She headed for the machine with Faith’s words ringing in her ears. Lani couldn’t deny that she’d had every right to speak them, and she knew that was because they were the truth.
Looking at Noah, she met his eyes and he smiled. It was a gentle smile, and Lani knew right then that what she felt for this man was deep and probably started with the letter L. But the problem now was, what the hell was she going to do about it?
Chapter Thirty-Two
“Where’s your woman, Buddy?”
Noah dropped down beside the dog who was lying outside the back door of the Howler. Lani had been avoiding him. Every time he talked to her, she said it was because she was busy. Which she was. Working in the Hoot and the Howlery was demanding. But the nights she’d spent with him were no longer happening, and he missed her. Really missed her.
Last night she’d said she had a headache. The night before, she had a sore tummy and didn’t want him to get whatever she had. She’d been using different excuses since the day Willow had gone into labor. The day he found Lani in the Hoot.
Faith.
Why the hell hadn’t he added things up sooner? He’d left the two women alone while he took that phone call. Had his sister said something to Lani to make her back away?
Walking back into the Howler, he found Faith upstairs cleaning one of their rooms for the next round of guests. She was bundling sheets into the laundry bag. Hair piled on top of her head, she looked beautiful like she always did.
“What did you say to Lani?”
She turned, and he saw the guilt before she’d had time to hide it. One thing about twins was that there was rarely anywhere to hide, and especially not what they were feeling.
She closed the bag, then started making the bed with clean sheets. “Mary Lou is off today sick, so I’m making the beds. I’d forgotten how much I hate doing this.”
“Answer the question, Faith.”
Her sigh was loud.
“I told her that if she hurt you, I was coming for her. I said that if she wasn’t serious, she needed to leave town, because I won’t have your heart broken again.”
“Christ.” Noah moved into the room and fell into a chair. “What the hell did you do that for?”
Faith sat on the bed.
“Because I can see she means something to you and I don’t want you hurt again, not when you’re just starting to heal.”
“I can look after myself, Faith. I don’t need you running interference. I don’t do that in your life.”
“Because I’ve never been in love… not really. You have, and you got hurt.” He saw the tears in her eyes.
“I’m really pissed off with you about this. Lani has been avoiding me, and it’s driving me crazy. It was only when I worked back to that day that I knew you had to be the reason why.”
“I know you’re angry, but I’d do it again. You don’t know anything about her. She’s clearly running from something and closed up tighter than a safe.”
“I thought you liked her?”
“I do, but I don’t know her, and now that you care about her, that changes everything.”
“Did you ever stop to think that maybe she needs our help, and with that she could confront whatever is chasing her? You know she’s a good person, Faith. Since she’s been in Howling, she’s shown that in lots of ways.”
“Does she? Need our help, I mean?”
“It’s likely. She admitted that her life is in danger and she’s been on the run for four years to me, but nothing more. Hell, I don’t even know if Lani is her real name.”
“She’s been running for four years?”
“On her own.”
“Oh God, I feel terrible now.”
“You should. I’m a big boy, Faith, I don’t need you watching over me.”
“Ditto.”
He didn’t say that he’d never stop watching over her; now wasn’t the time.
“Clearly she’s not after my money, as she’d have tried harder. I mean, you’ve seen the way she dresses, right?”
That forced a laugh out of his twin. “Those jeans would fit you.”
“At least I know now why she’s been avoiding me.”
“I’m sorry, I just don’t want to see you hurt again.”
“And I know that’s come from a good place, but don’t meddle in this, Faith. If I get hurt again, it’s my choice to do so.”
She looked at him for several seconds, and he held her gaze. He knew his twin well, often knew what she felt and if she was hurt. He also knew what was coming out of her mouth next.
“Do you love her, Noah?”
“I don’t know, but if and when I work it out, I’ll be telling Lani before I tell you.”
She huffed out a breath.
“And now I need to go and see Mom and then find Lani before I finish setting up for tonight. I’m kicking your ass this year.”
“Unlikely,” Faith scoffed. “I always get more bids and money than you.”
“Only because Old Man Hopkins has the hots for you and outbids every other man so he can take you out for dinner.”
“He’s sweet. I don’t mind if he wins again.”
“Okay, so we’re all clear on this now?”
“I promise not to meddle anymore, and I’m sorry, and I’ll say that when I see Lani.”
“Why don’t I believe that you’ll actually follow through with the first part of that.”
Her laughter followed him as he retraced his steps out the back door.
Lani wasn’t there when he arrived at the Howlery, and Mrs. C said she was running errands.
“You look hot today.” Noah admired her fluorescent green dress and geometric patterned waistcoat that had more colors on it than the rainbow.
“It’s new.” She preened. “Hank said I looked wonderful.”
Hank had to be color blind, Noah thought as he left and headed to the Hoot, where he found Buster behind the counter.
“Well, well, if it isn’t Daddy. How are Willow and Emily, bud?”
Willow’s birth had been long and tiring, but the end result was a sweet little baby girl who already had her parents right where she wanted them. Noah had seen her yesterday and taken her the biggest teddy he could find.
“Hey man, coffee? I was just making some.” Buster finished his sentence with a yawn.
“Sure, if you’re making. Long night?”
“And then some. Emily was fussing, and Willow told me to sleep but I just couldn’t.”
“And now you’re regretting that.”
“It has to be said that I am, but Jake tells me you go through this shit. In fact, he says you’re in a kind of holding pattern of exhaustion until they sleep through the night.”
“Nice. Sounds like something to avoid,” Noah said, taking out a caramel muffin.
“It’s not, though. When I look at Emily, it’s like she’s always been part of me and Willow.”
“Is this how it’s going to go now, because I kinda liked my hard-ass, awkward friend. You’re all roses and meaningful words nowadays.”
Buster growled.
“Much better.”
“So you just missed Lani. She was in before. I like that girl, Noah. Like her a lot. She’s kind, you know, and doesn’t fake it.”
“Uh-huh.” Noah took a large bite of his muffin. Damn it, he’d just missed her.
“You need to get that locked in, bud. Don’t want her getting away. She’s good for you.”
“It’s complicated.” Noah went for honesty.
“She’s a woman, tell me one who isn’t, but here’s the thing, bud, is she worth it?”
He didn’t hesitate. “Yes, but there’s plenty of mountains to climb before we get there. Whatever this shit is with her, it’s bad, and somehow I need to get her to tell me what it is.”
“True enough, but I’m telling you she’s the one for you,
Noah. You’ve changed since she came to town. Your soul is lighter.”
“Okay, that’s it. Stop listening to Willow, Buster. Next you’ll be tie dying and driving a mobile home. I’m going before you burst into song. Give me my coffee.” Noah took the cup and left with his friend’s words in his head. He’d have to find Lani later; he had work to do now. But he would, and then they would talk, and if sex followed, he wouldn’t be upset about that.
The rest of the day flew by and then guests were starting to arrive for the auction. He still hadn’t made time to see Lani. She’d told him she’d come tonight; Noah had his doubts.
“Man, look at you.” Branna gave him a kiss. “Hot, hot, hot.”
“Okay, that’s enough, your husband is standing right here.”
“Hey, McBrides,” Noah said, doing a chest bounce with Jake. “You want to pay the money, Bran, I’m yours for a night.”
“I have five dollars in my wallet. That should cover it.” Jake walked by him and dragged his giggling wife with him.
Noah greeted people with Faith, who looked nice—he wouldn’t say hot, as she was his sister, after all—in a deep blue suit. Tailored trousers and a cropped jacket. She wore a red something underneath.
“That works.” He looked her over.
“Same.” She looked him over.
“The staff are all good to go, so we should be able to have the night off, but are on call if needed,” Noah said.
“So did you speak to Lani?”
“No.”
“I really am sorry, Noah. I never meant to cause you any trouble.”
He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and squeezed. “I know it came from a good place, so that’s why I’m still speaking to you.”
“The magnificence of you two is blinding.” Newman arrived with Hope and the Ryker Falls boys. “Seriously, you need to tone it down.”
“What can I say, if you got it….” Faith moved in to hug him and Hope.
“Hi. I’m Fin Hudson from Ryker Falls. This is my friend, Joe Trainer.”
“Faith knows Joe, and stop ogling my sister or I’ll punch you,” Noah drawled, then received an elbow in the ribs for his efforts as Faith stepped in front of him to talk to Fin.
“Clearly this protection thing doesn’t work both ways,” he muttered.
“Is Lani coming?” Hope asked him, which told Noah that more people than his sister and Mrs. C had noticed they were a thing, if loosely. The hell of it was, he wanted it to be more than that. Much more, he realized right then and there.
“She said she was.”
“Okay, then she’ll come.” Hope walked by him with Newman, and his sister and the Ryker boys followed. Noah stayed and waited. She will come.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Lani went for a walk with Buddy after closing the shop so no one would come looking for her and make her go to the auction. Noah was there, and she was trying to keep her distance from him.
After Faith’s talk, she’d thought long and hard about what she should do next. The truth was, she wanted to stay in Lake Howling, but could she do that and not have her past come calling?
Picking up a stick, she threw it off the trail for Buddy. The dog bounded after it with a high-pitched yap.
“I could have it all here with Noah.”
She wanted that. But was it fair to live a lie? Should she tell Noah, or should she face up to her past and try to deal with it herself? The thought terrified her.
She let thoughts come and go, and for the first time in years allowed herself to remember the life she’d lived with her parents. She’d been spoiled, the only daughter of a wealthy family. Lani had it all, and she’d been loved. The three of them shared that, and so much more.
“I miss you, Mom and Dad,” Lani whispered as she let the tears fall.
She kept walking until she had climbed up to the ridge. Coming out on a road, she found a long, low house that would have an amazing view of the lake below, and Katie McBride standing at the bottom of a driveway.
“Hi.” Lani waved and prepared to move on.
“Lani, hello. Come down.”
“I was just—”
“I’ll show you the view!”
Dammit.
She walked down.
“What are you doing up here on the ridge in those clothes? Shouldn’t you be dressed and heading to the Howler for the auction?”
“I’m not going.”
“Have you been crying?”
“No. I had a yawning fit, and it made my eyes water.”
“Now that’s a lie, but if you don’t want to tell me, I won’t push.”
Kate wore a black dress that fitted her lovely body to perfection. It had sleeves that stopped below her elbows, and she wore black heels that would make Lani’s nose bleed.
“I thought you told Noah you were going?”
She could see why Katie was a good cop, because she had the intense, unwavering stare that was needed in the job.
“I said I might,” Lani mumbled. “Besides, my wardrobe doesn’t really lend itself to an occasion like that. I mean, look at you.”
“Oh well, if that’s the only thing stopping you, I can sort that. We’re the same size, although I’m taller. Come on.”
“What? No.” Lani tried to back away, but Katie was stronger and relentless. She had her in the house in seconds. “Katie, really. I don’t want to go.”
“But you promised. And Mrs. C told me she was really pleased that you seemed to be coming out of yourself and this was a step toward that.”
“Oh well, sure. But really, no one will care if I don’t show up.”
“I know of at least two people, and I think there’s more.”
“Wow, what a view.” Lani stopped in the dining area and looked out the huge windows that dominated one side of the house. The lake, the town over the top of the Redwoods, and the mountains beyond were all showcased.
“I know, right? We love it here. Cubby got the land years ago, and we built the house and moved in six months ago.”
It was modern and yet retained the nature outside the doorstep in natural colors.
“It’s really amazing.”
“Thanks. Now let’s get you dressed. Buddy, you go on and roam around, nothing here you can spoil.”
Lani saw the dog had followed her in. “Maybe he should be outside.”
“No, he’s all good, and we love animals. In fact, we’re looking into getting a dog. Come this way.”
“Katie, really. I can find something in my suitcase.”
She stopped so fast Lani nearly collided with her. The detective gave her another searching look.
“Why do you still live out of a suitcase? Mrs. C had drawers put up there.”
“I have some things in them.” Lani shrugged, hoping that was answer enough. It was a faint hope at best.
“What’s the deal, Lani?”
“With what?”
“You.” Katie widened her feet and put her hands on her hips.
“Are you interrogating me?”
“Only as a friend.”
“Katie, I really can’t tell you what is going on with my life, only that I haven’t broken the law.”
“Okay, well that’s a relief, because now I don’t have to arrest you. What else you got?”
Lani exhaled.
“You can talk while we dress you.”
Katie towed her into a large bedroom where clothes were strewn everywhere.
“Wow.”
“It’s Cubby, he’s a real pig.” Katie laughed. Clearly that was not the case, as all the clothes were hers.
“Right. Strip off those clothes. What’s with those, anyway? They’re really hideous.”
“They help me hide,” Lani said without thinking.
“From?” Katie began rifling through clothes.
“People.”
“Well, that was obvious. If I guess who, will you tell me yes?”
“Maybe.”
“Try this first
.” It was a black skirt and pale blue top. Both looked fitted, and Lani disliked them right off. “And how old is that bra?”
Lani looked down at the horror in Katie’s eyes. Her bra was faded and gray from washing repeatedly.
“Those panties are just as bad.”
“I’m not borrowing your underwear.”
“Okay, but you have to promise me you’ll buy some new stuff. Honestly, they are clearly from the Ark.”
“I don’t think Noah wore girls’ underwear.”
Katie snorted.
“So no to the skirt and shirt, is what I’m getting from that look on your face. How about this?”
It was a dress in olive green with buttons down the front. It looked less revealing, so Lani took it and pulled it over her head.
“That works.”
“I think it’s too fitted and short.”
“You’re not seventy years old, Lani. Who knew you had a nice body and legs? You’re always hiding behind those baggy clothes.”
“Don’t hold back.”
“I won’t. Now for shoes.”
“No way are we the same size, and even if we are, I’m not wearing something like those.” Lani pointed at Katie’s feet.
“I have lower heels, and I think a wedge will be better for you, so you don’t break your neck.”
Once she’d loved heels. Loved makeup and dressing up.
“Try these.”
Lani sat on the bed and put on the sandals. At least she’d cut her toenails last night.
“They fit. Excellent.” Katie clapped her hands.
“Hello!”
“In here, Cubby,” Katie replied.
Lani panicked. Getting to her feet, she had the urge to run.
“Hey, it’s all right, Cubby is one of the good guys.” Katie put an arm around her shoulders. “Now you need to sit down here, and I’ll do your hair and makeup.”
What the hell was she doing? Why was she allowing this?
“We need to go, Katie, or we’ll be late.” The sheriff of Lake Howling appeared in the doorway. He wore dress pants and pale blue button-down shirt and still looked authoritative. “Oh hey there, Lani, I wondered why Buddy was sleeping on the sofa.”
“I’m doing a makeover on her,” Katie said, applying something to Lani’s face. “Be ready in five.”