The women around her snickered and tittered, and Hannah had to wipe the tears running down her face because she was laughing so hard. Yep. She fit right into Sanctuary Springs, it seemed.
“All right, that’s enough hilarity,” Jolene called out, clapping her hands. “If we don’t pipe down, either Kitty or Dr. Montgomery will call the sheriff on us.”
Hannah took another drink at the mention of her father, while a few people glanced her way like they were wondering about her reaction.
Wanda fanned herself. “I’d love that Logan Delaney to show up. He’s one prime, good-looking man.”
A few of the other single or divorced women agreed. Hannah didn’t remember everyone’s relationship status after being gone seven years, but she planned to.
A loud rapping on the door silenced the room before the women, herself included, started laughing all over again.
“It’s the sheriff!” Scout called out, unbuttoning a button on her blouse. “I’m first, girls. My plan is to say, ‘cuff me, cowboy,’ and see what he replies.”
Gertie slapped Scout’s proffered hands down gently. “If that’s the way you introduce yourself to men these days, sweetie, no wonder you’re alone on Friday night. Now, my Abner…”
“Girls!” Jolene cried out.“Please.I need to get the door.”
Hannah took another sip of her drink as Gertie mimed slamming her lips together. Dolly gave a high-pitched giggle, which Hannah feared was contagious until she saw Jolene walk back in with her mouth pressed tightly together.
“Hannah, can I see you a sec?” her friend asked in a flat tone.
She was so surprised that she pointed at herself before standing and walking over.
Jolene pulled her aside, a worry line between her brows. “I told him it was girls’ night, but he’s insisting on seeing you. If he hadn’t said it involves your future, I would have ordered him off my front porch.”
“Sheriff Logan?”
“James Taft.” Jolene gripped her shoulders when she gasped. “You don’t have to see him. I can tell him to buzz off.”
Except she was intrigued. Why was he talking about her future? Besides, she wanted to see the man who was giving Ben and the Triple M so much trouble. “No, I’ll go.”
“I’ll stay at the door in case you need help,” Jolene said from behind her.
Hannah didn’t have time to answer because when she reached the door, the older man grandly swept off his pristine cowboy hat and bowed slightly at the waist. He wasn’t a large man per se except in girth, but he had a large presence somehow. Funny, he wasn’t as she’d expected. “You wanted to speak to me, Mr. Taft?”
“James, please,” he entreated in a cajoling voice. “I apologize for intruding on your ladies’ night, but I felt it urgent to speak to you after hearing rumblings around town.”
Walking onto the porch, she was sure the women inside had their ears pressed to the front window, with Jolene at the open door. She walked over to the edge of the railing, hoping for some privacy. “What’s on your mind?”
He produced an envelope from his Western-style vest and extended it to her, his round face appropriately grave. “I was horrified to hear about the threats on your life, Ms. Montgomery.”
Waiting a beat to see if she’d correct him, she decided to play nice. “Hannah.”
“Thank you,” he answered too agreeably. “Nasty affair. You must be scared out of your mind, worrying about Amber Kincaid coming after you.”
She wanted to roll her eyes and say of course she had been, except that wasn’t the right answer here. “Anyone who knows me, Mr. Taft, knows I stand up to whatever comes.”
“Please, call me James.” He gave her an appraising nod. “I’m glad we’ve finally been introduced. I’ve heard so much about you, of course. I had no idea you were both a healer as well as a warrior. Very admirable and a rare combination to boot.”
My, he was smooth, she thought, as he gripped the lapels of his Western jacket. “So Jolene recently said. I’m only being how I am, nothing more.”
“Humble as well,” he added, sweeping his hand grandly. “I heard about Scotland, and it’s not right in my book that you were unfairly deported.”
“I wasn’t exactly deported?—”
“I believe I can help with my connection in the United Kingdom from my business interests…given how precarious your situation is.”
She shivered as his mouth formed a way too broad smile. “I don’t know how you could.”
