Page 41 of Small Town Boy

“Need from us?” Mrs. Burch interrupts. “You’re here to ask for something?”

“Just help,” I answer, again trying to be reassuring. That doesn’t seem to be working, however. “If you ladies would be able to help spread the word, get everyone excited about it, drum up some additional donations, plus some volunteers for the day of. We want this to be an entire community effort.”

“A community effort?” Mrs. Chamberlain scoffs. “A community that you are not a part of?”

Wow, shots fired. I knew this conversation wasn’t going my way, but I wasn’t expecting that.

“Bronwyn,” Mrs. Burch says. “Did your mama never teach you⁠—”

“There’s no need for insults, Mrs. Burch.”

Insults? How is that an insult?!

I freeze—my body unsure if it’s hot or cold as Noel’s voice fills the air. The ripple that runs through me makes me shudder, and all I can do is hope that it wasn’t visible. The last thing I need is to put on a show for these women.

“Why, Noel Keller!” Mrs. Chamberlain coos. “Aren’t you looking as handsome as ever. If not a little dirty.”

“Mrs. C.”

He stops right next to me, nodding at the group, like he’s a cowboy tipping his hat—just without the hat. His southern manners ever present, he doesn’t say anything else, just solemnly looks at them, waiting for them to continue. Mrs. Burch doubles down though, glaring at Noel as if he should be ashamed of himself for speaking to her in such a way.

“To what do we owe the visit?” Stacey giggles. “Or did you just wanna be the cock in the hen house?”

Noel grunts, not bothering to acknowledge the obvious innuendo.

“Stacey Conrad!” Mrs. Burch scolds. Too late though, as Stacey and Moira have succumbed to a fit of giggles.

“I am sorry to disturb, ladies. But I was wonderin’ if I could borrow Miss Bronwyn for a moment.”

He’s turned up the charm, his normally thick drawl even thicker, making him sound like Rhett Butler. Something I never thought I’d like, until now.

With another head nod, he cups my elbow, guiding me back through the lobby and down one of the aisles. Once we’re safely surrounded by tall stacks of books, I stop, glowering at him.

“What the hell are you doing?” I hiss.

“I came in to ask Kenz if I could borrow her vacuum and couldn’t help but overhear the insults being tossed your way⁠—”

“No one was insulting me!”

“Honey, down here, being asked if your mama never taught you something is an insult. A double one at that. She’s calling you stupid, and your mother irresponsible for not teaching you better. And I would bet there was a bless your heart in there too.”

I nod. They absolutely blessed me. I don’t understand how that’s an insult either, but after that explanation, I’m not sure I want to know.

“Well, the only thing you’ve successfully done is give them something more to talk about. And they don’t seem to need any fuel for that fire.”

He shakes his head. “They sure don’t. But give ’em ten minutes and they’ll find something else.”

I groan. This is ridiculous. I need to get back there and finish pitching the idea. If they aren’t on board to help, I’m going to have to come up with a new plan.

“Noel, I appreciate that you think you’re helping here, but you’re not. I can handle a bunch of old ladies. We’ve been over this. I don’t need rescuing.”

One corner of his mouth tips upward, an impish glint appearing in his eyes. Butterflies take flight in my belly, their flutters reaching all the way to my knees.

“You’re really cute when you’re all worked up.”

I’d like to let you get me all worked up…

“Makes me want to kiss it right off you.”