Scotty snickered as he gave me plenty of room, but I stuck close to Kingston, butted right up to his side so that we were touching. Sue me. Man on a mission, remember?
Scotty sniffed loudly, turned, and planted his nose into the side of my neck. “Wow. You smell good.”
Harry scoffed from the kitchen. “Better than my lasagna?”
Buck’s booming laughter rang out a second before he grabbed his cranky husband’s hand. “I think you need a little regulation exercise, love.” They both disappeared.
“Phew. Mr. Harry’s cranky today,” Chance said.
Jetty nodded sagely. “Probably needs some good loving.”
Chance turned in his seat, peering up at him. “Is that a hint?”
Jetty waggled his brows.Geez. And they all said I was the dramatic one. I had good tea to spill, and I hadn’t been able to get a word in edgewise.
Kingston cleared his throat, drawing all of our attention. “I think Skylar was excited to tell us something.”
Kingston had my back.Swoon. I knew we were destined to be together forever. I leaned into him slightly, smothering a giggle when he glanced down at me sideways.
Deciding to give him a break, I sat back up, smacked my hands on the table, and leaned forward. “If I said the name Rory, what’s the first thing that pops in your head?”
“My best friend in second grade,” Stevie said.
Jetty shook his head. “No, the guy who works nights at the gas station down on Atlantic Avenue. You know the one I’m talking about?” he asked, looking at Kingston.
Kingston nodded. “Yeah, but my mind immediately goes?—”
“RIPP!” Chance yelled, and Kingston grinned, bobbing his head.
“Yep.” He side-eyed me again. “Rory kind of reminds me of you.”
Be still my heart. How sweet was he?“Yes!” I fist-pumped. “Researchers In Paranormal Phenomenon. You’re never going to believe what I heard about them when I was in town.”
Jetty snorted. “In town. You’re acclimating to small-town life well.”
Ignoring him, I focused on Chance. “They’ve heard of Willowhope Manor, and they’re thinking about coming here to record an episode.”
“Here? They’re coming here?” Chance asked, a smile blooming on his face.
“Yes!” I screeched, causing Kingston to pull away, and Jetty to rub his ears.Ugh.So dramatic.
“That’s amazing,” Chance said. “We need to make a plan. What should we do? Should we let Buck and Stevie haunt them? Or maybe we shouldn’t do anything.” He bit his lip. “I want them to air our episode, but I don’t want them like…banishing spirits or anything like they did at the Coldburgh Train Station.”
Kingston shook his head vigorously. “No way. And we have to keep them away from the pond. We’ve got a couple of newbies out there, and I don’t want them scared off.”
Harry reappeared next to the table. “Nor do I, but we can worry about that later. Until they book rooms, they’re not our immediate concern.”
“Is it time for dinner?” Kingston asked eagerly.
Half-bowing from his waist, Harry said, “It is. I hope you brought your appetites.”
Stevie helped Buck and Harry serve us all, then Buck set a plate of French bread and butter beside Kingston’s meal. “I believe Skylar brought this for you.”
Kingston’s cheeks pinkened. “I’m sure he meant it for everyone. I can share.” He picked up a piece. “Oh, and it’s warm.”
I glanced at Buck, and he winked at me.Gah. Big dude had my back. “I made plenty of Italian bread for everyone else,” Buck said. “You enjoy your special treat.”
Kingston buttered his bread, took a bite, and moaned. “This is the best.” He shoved the rest of his piece in his mouth. I’d never been so jealous of gluten goodness before in my life.
