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“So he just put his entire company’s future on the line rather than keep you in the dark?” Margaret snorted softly. “Enough said.”
It did have a nice ring to it. “But he says he’s not staying.”
“I’ll believe that when I see it,” Margaret said.
“How can you be so sure?”
“When you live as long as I have and have seen the things I’ve seen, you develop one hell of an intuition. It’s rarely wrong. Even so…”
Del watched her neighbor, the gears clearly turning. “What are you thinking?”
“I’m thinking we’ve only got one option: party at my place so I can watch and assess. Then you’ll have an answer.”
“Oh, geez. Not sure I’m ready for that.” Or that Isaac was ready for that.
“If my intuition is correct, you’ll be happy with the outcome.” Margaret rose with a wink. “Saturday night, six o’clock potluck. We’ll win him over with our small-town charm.”
“But what if he won’t come?”
“His loss. Just make sure to bring my favorite snacks; we’ll have a good time without him.”
Del laughed. “You’re incorrigible.”
“Nope, just love my snacks.”
She thanked Margaret for the chat, then watched to make sure she made it safely back to her side of the fence before shifting her thoughts to the upcoming weekend. A neighborhood party—it fell perfectly in line with her plan to help Isaac learn what it felt like to be part of a supportive community of family and friends. But would he agree to come?
Then again, if he learned his secret was already out, then there really wasn’t any reason not to.
*
“A party?”
Isaac lowered his fork, the leftover dessert Del had brought to tonight’s planning meeting sliding off its tines. He’d spent a good part of Thursday second-guessing his decision to tell Del and Mia his story, but sometime around dinner had come to the conclusion he’d done the right thing. Now he was starting to second-guess anew.
“Del, what part of ‘we need to keep my being here secret’ did you not follow last night?”
“I know, I know, but it honestly wasn’t my idea. It was Margaret Harper’s, which she tossed out after admitting she’d, um, already figured out your identity.”
“Shewhat?!”
“I know, right? Totally crazy. But she’s also a former reporter and wicked smart—which is one of the reasons we keep her included in everything. You know, since she’ll figure it all out eventually anyway.”
Isaac pushed his plate away, appetite gone. Will had warned him that word would get out if he started mingling with the locals. But had he listened to the man? Oh no. Now he was going to have to call him up and eat some serious crow. And move again. Or maybe just live out of his car. No, that wouldn’t work; he needed an internet connection and someplace to work.
“You’re panicking.”
He met Del’s knowing gaze. “Hell yes, I’m panicking. I’ve been sitting in this house for seven months now, trying not to be found. Now half the town seems to know I’m here.”
“Four people is hardly half the town.”
“Four?” he cried. “I thought it was only three!”
“You’re forgetting Brooklyn.”
Four people going on forty. He looked to the living room, wondering how long it would take him to pack his essentials and hit the road. But where would he even go? To his mom’s or dad’s? Or maybe his sister’s place? He cringed, imagining how that conversation might go.
“Isaac.” Del came to stand before him. “I know you aren’t used to having family who supports you, but that’s what we do in Bourbon Falls—we love and support one another. And whether you like it or not, you’re one of us. This party Saturday? It’s to celebrate the launch of our website. The websiteyoubuilt. No one there believes Katrina’s crazy story, and no one will go telling the world you’re here. They just want to save our bookstore and have a little fun along the way.”
