Page 20 of Moonstruck Kiss

We laugh.

“Where did you learn that from?” I ask.

“From Grandma. She said Grandpa had BO after doing the gardening. She told me what it means.”

“Well, BO today just means Brax and Ollie. By the way, I’m so very pleased to meet you, Ollie. My name’s Cutie.”

“Like cutie pie?” Ollie asks in awe.

She cackles. “Exactly like cutie pie. Cutie is my first name and Pie is my surname.”

His eyes round. “For real?”

“For real.”

“Wow. That’s the same name as my favourite dog! She’s a pug. And I watch her on YouTube.”

“I bet she’s much cuter than me,” Cutie quips.

“Yes, but you’re not too bad. Just old.”

“Ollie!” I gasp. “That’s not a nice thing to say.”

Cutie grins. “Oh, don’t worry. For a four-year-old, a woman in her fifties is old. He’s just telling the truth.”

“I like your tulips,” Ollie says with a hint of apology. “They’re very pretty.”

“Aww, thank you, Ollie. Anyway, here we are.” We arrive at another door, which opens to an empty laneway. “I take it you’re going to Joey’s studio?”

“How did you know?” Ollie asks. “Are you a mind reader?”

Cutie throws her head back in laughter. “People say I am. But this time, I’m just assuming. Unless you’ve decided to do some exploring?” She raises her brows at me.

I smile. “We might start doing a bit of that.”

“Great! It’s about time. And don’t be too concerned when tourists approach you. Operation BO means Mooners will come to your aid if we see out-of-towners paying you too much attention. We’ll distract them or lead you out of their reach or whatever.”

“Really?” I ask in disbelief.

“Yes, really!” Cutie sounds proud. “How do you think a famous couple like Theo Cresswall and Gia Flores manage to live here in relative peace? We look after our own—and you and Ollie are ours.”

“Wow. Thank you.” My parents and Liss did mention something about the whole town helping us ward off unwanted attention, but I’d laughed it off. Quite frankly, I didn’t believe it. I guess there’s more to Moonstruck Cove’s busybodies than I give them credit for.

“Anyway, I have to go back to the kiosk. You have a wonderful time, okay?” She grins at Ollie as I put him down.

Ollie nods. “I love art school and I love Joey.”

“Oh, she’s very lovable, indeed.” Cutie pats me on the shoulder and winks.

“What?” I ask dryly. “You’re not in my mother’s match-making club, are you?”

“Whatever do you mean?” she asks innocently.

I shake my head good-naturedly. I’m in too much of a grateful mood to push it further.

“I’m just saying she’s lovable. And so are the rest of the Barkers. Did you know that they were the ones who spearheaded the assistance group that got your mum and dad out of that restrictive loan?”

I freeze. “What do you mean?”

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