Page 56 of The Runaway Bride of Blitzen Bay (Blitzen Bay)

Chapter Twenty-Five

NASH

December 23

Blitzen Bay, California

“Hey. Why are you calling me? I seriously didn’t even know you knew how to place a regular phone call. What’s wrong?”

“Uh, we have a situation at the bar,” Gabi whispers. I’ve never heard her lower her voice.

“What situation? Are you hurt?” My mind, as always, goes to the worst-case scenario. Military training doesn’t leave you that easily.

“I’m not hurt, but I might have to kill Noelle’s mom.”

I jump up. “What? Elle’s mom is at the bar?”

“And her dad. He seems chill, but her mom’s like a raging lunatic. Iz tried to calm her down and I thought the mom was going to punch her. I haven’t told her where Noelle is, but I don’t think she’s leaving without seeing her.”

I look inside. Elle and Kit are still snuggled on the couch.

“All right. Try to keep the mom contained. We’ll be there in a few minutes.”

As I hang up the phone, I think quickly about going into town by myself. Elle doesn’t need any more stress. I know she’d be upset if I did though. I guess I have to tell her.

I open the door and peek in. “Umm, I have bad news—”

“You’ve decided not to join us?” Kit lifts the blanket and pats the cushion next to her. “You can still change your mind.”

“Yeah, I’m not going to join you and that’s not the bad news.”

“Well maybe not for you,” Kit says, covering them up again.

“Gabi just called me. Elle, your parents are at the bar.”

“What?” Elle sits up quickly. “What do you mean they’re at the bar?”

“I mean they’re at Izzy’s—right now—looking for you.”

“Well, that’s definitely bad news.” She pulls my shirt over her face and muffles a scream.

Kit stands up and tries to pull Elle up with her. Elle sinks deeper under the blanket.

“Elle, get up. Now! We have to save the townspeople before Leni terrorizes them any further.”

“Ahh! I don’t want to!” Elle hits the pillow before she rolls over and stands up. As she pushes herself up, I see a peek of her backside. I turn my head quickly and see Kit staring at me. My mouth’s still wide open and I’m sure I have a stupid, stunned look on my face.

Kit mouths, “I’m watching you,” as she shakes her head.

Elle turns around and looks back and forth between us. “What?”

“Nothing,” Kit says. “I was just trying to convey to Nash how difficult Leni can be.”

“That’s the first time you’ve ever been that politically correct about it.” She looks from Kit to me. “Do you think my clothes are dry?”

“Yeah, they should be,” I say, heading back to the bedroom. “I heard it beep.”

“Are you sure you didn’t throw them out?” Kit smiles at me as I pass her.

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