Page 104 of Howlin’ For You
I sigh. “I’m whatever Lunamois needs me to be. Handyman, event co-planner, cat rescuer…”
“I guess I was right about that bleeding heart,” she says, but not in the mocking way I would’ve expected. If anything, there’s a bit of appreciation there.
“A little?”
I’m quickly becoming addicted to the sound of her laughter. To the almost windchime-esque tones and flirtatious lilt. I may make it my personal mission to make this woman laugh as much as I possibly can.
I lean in once more, watching her pupils dilate at my proximity. “You’re going to have your hands full with this festival and keeping me from saving every kitten in town.”
And hopefully, I have my hands full of her.
CHAPTER FIVE
ISABELLA
When I was growing up, I wasn't particularly interested in dating. Instead, I focused on reading, learning, and all the extra-curriculars my parents insisted on signing me up for.
That’s not to say I haven’t dated, haven’t had crushes. But now? Now I question if I’ve ever been attracted to anyone before I met Nick.
Working with him is going to be a whole problem, but he’s doing a lot for the event. I refuse to let that go to waste.
The tip of my shoe catches on a crack in the sidewalk, sending my notepad—I’ve always preferred physical lists to digital ones—clattering to the ground. I groan as I reach for it.
I’m not here to obsess over Nick. I’m here to work.
I refocus on my task, on walking down Main Street to meet with vendors and the locals. While the town has close proximity to the water, Main Street itself is far enough away that you just get a touch of that salty sea smell.
Little boutiques, restaurants, and shops line the lane like something out of a fantasy. A couple of cars dot along the way, but with the hustle and bustle, it seems like most people walk instead of drive.
There’s something comfortable and cozy about that that makes my heart yearn for a life like this.
Mayor Vale sent an initial list of shop owners, and then I gathered a few more during a research excursion after breakfast yesterday. I haven’t talked to anyone yet, but I’ll start today.
I want to find out what makes Lunamois, Lunamois. What makes this place special?
My first stop is Tea Leaves. I very much need the caffeine, but I also want to ask the redheaded woman behind the counter to set up a booth to sell warm drinks and baked goods at the anniversary event. Fall may be lovely in the Pacific Northwest, but it can also get a bit chilly.
The redhead smiles as I open the door, the waft of baked goods bringing a matching grin to my face. “Two days in a row! I’m flattered.”
“What can I say? I’m addicted to your tea.” I step up to the counter. “I’m Isabella.”
“Nice to meet you, I’m Georgie. What can I get you? On the house, of course.”
I open my mouth to protest—despite the increasingly tiny number representing my bank account balance at the moment—but she silences me with a hand. “Tradition. New residents get a free order on their first visit to Tea Leaves. Or I guess the second visit, in your case.”
My cheeks heat, but I nod my head. “Well, if it’s tradition…I’ll take a pumpkin spice black tea and a chocolate chip scone, please.”
“Excellent choices.” She rings them up and hands the order off to a barista working beside her.
“Can I ask you a quick question, actually?” I glance behind me, checking to see if there’s anyone else in line. There isn’t.
She nods, tapping her long, painted nails against the counter rhythmically with a cocked head. Maybe curious about what’s about to come out of the new girl’s mouth.
“I’m planning Lunamois’s seventy-fifth anniversary event in a couple of weeks. It’s going to be an outdoor festival, and I was hoping I could talk you into putting up a booth to sell hot drinks and baked goods.”
“Oh, I heard about that but didn’t realize it was actually happening.” She taps her lip. “I’ll send out a request and see if any of my employees can do some extra shifts to cover it, but yeah. I don’t see why we can’t make that work.”
“Fantastic!” I put a little smiley face next to Georgie’s name on my list.
