Page 13 of Can't Fight the Moonlight

"You're a very kind woman," Noah told her.

As the two went up the steps and disappeared into the inn, the police officer gave Lizzie a bemused smile. "Well, you did it again. You calmed them down and turned them into friends. You have a real talent for disarming angry people."

Justin couldn't help but agree with the officer. Hannah had been right. Lizzie was a force of nature.

"Patty lost her husband a few years ago. I thought she'd understand Noah's situation," Lizzie explained.

"Looks like she did. I wouldn't have cuffed him, but before you arrived, she was pretty pissed off and I didn't know what I was dealing with."

"I know. I understand, Brodie. You were doing your job," Lizzie said.

"How's everything else going?" the cop asked. "I heard this is a big week for you."

"It's crazy busy."

"Like always." The officer turned his gaze on Justin. "I don't think we've met."

"Justin Blackwood," he said.

"Brodie McGuire," the officer replied. "Are you a friend of Lizzie's?"

"He's a guest," Lizzie cut in.

"Looks like you've been in a fight," Brodie commented.

"Only with a fence and a steering wheel, thanks to Lizzie here."

"It was not my fault," she reminded him, adding to Brodie, "A deer ran into the road. I braked suddenly and Justin had to swerve. His car landed in a ditch. I called Tom. He's going to take the car into the shop."

"Good. You get checked out, Mr. Blackwood?"

"I did, and I'm fine."

"Hannah took a look at him," Lizzie added.

"Does everyone in this town know each other?" Justin asked.

"Not everyone," Brodie said with a smile. "But if you stay here long enough, you'll get acquainted fast, especially if you hang around Lizzie."

"Brodie is my almost-brother-in-law," Lizzie put in. "He's engaged to my sister, Chelsea, and he works with my brother Adam, who is a detective. He's basically family already."

"Speaking of family," Brodie said. "I assume you'll be at Adam's birthday dinner tonight."

"Absolutely."

"Great. I'll see you then. Nice to meet you, Mr. Blackwood."

"You, too."

As Brodie got into the car, Lizzie turned to him. "I'm sorry about that. It's not usually so chaotic around here."

"Are you sure? You and chaos seem to go together."

"Sometimes it does feel that way," she admitted. "But let's get you checked in to your room."

"I'm more interested in your computer. I don't think I have time to go buy one. I need to get online." He'd completely lost track of his time issues while Lizzie was resolving the standoff between the two senior citizens. Maybe he did have a concussion; he didn't usually let anything distract him from work.

"You can use my computer and my phone. I'll set you up in my office, and I'll have someone take your bag up to your room."

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