Page 58 of Home Town

“Good. Mostly.” She wobbled her head. “But seriously, Xander, what on earth are you doing here?”

He let out a short chuckle. “Didn’t you know? I married an upstate girl.”

The news this guy was married was only moderately comforting. This Xander fellow looked like the type who wouldn’t let a wedding ring get in the way of what he wanted. Although that might be Corey’s jealousy talking.

“No! Seriously?” Josie said.

“Seriously.” He laughed again. “We’re at her parents’ place in Cooperstown for the week. I drove up last night. In fact, if Bailey had told me she was going to be upstate, I would have arranged to meet her up here instead of her and the Captain coming all the way down to the city.”

“She texted they were going to see a show and had checked into some fancy hotel so I don’t think they minded the drive.”

“Ah,” he nodded. “Lovebird stuff. Got it. But anyway, when I saw Bailey at the office yesterday, she mentioned that you’re organizing a big event. And when you didn’t answer your door just now, she told me you were here.”

“Well that explains the text I got from her saying, WHERE ARE YOU, all caps, lots of exclamation points and question marks. I’m also thinking Bailey tattled and told you I’m struggling with organizing said big event?” Josie asked, brow high.

He bobbed his head. “It might have come up. That’s one reason I’m here. Merry—that’s my wife—and I have some experience with planning. She just took over running her family’s foundation. She’s got lists and lists of local vendors, suppliers, entertainment, rental companies. If you want our help, it’s yours. I’ve got nothing to do for the next week. Whatever you could possibly need I should be able to arrange.”

Except for the guest of honor—the compass—which is what they really needed and this Xander was only delaying them getting it back. Corey scowled.

Josie drew in a breath and let it out. Corey could see the internal battle waging inside her. If he knew one thing about her it was that she liked to be fiercely independent. She didn’t accept help easily, as evidenced by him having to force her to let him help with the kittens in the wall incident.

Finally, she nodded and said, “I could use some help. Thank you.” It looked like it pained her to say it, but she made it through. And Xander beamed brilliant white—no doubt bleached—teeth at her.

“Wonderful. Can we sit down right now and see where you are with the planning? Make an action list. A schedule.”

“Um—” She glanced at Corey. “We were?—”

Corey shook his head and made a decision. “It can wait.”

They knew where the compass was. They had to assume it was safe with its original owner. Unless she’d sold it or something, in which case, it was too late anyway. And honestly, any excuse to delay facing his mother with this news and ruining an old lady’s reputation was welcome.

“All right.” She nodded then turned back to Xander. “Let me just grab my laptop and we’ll head over to my parents’ house.”

She disappeared back into the living room. In the awkward silence between him and Xander Corey heard Josie apologizing to his mother for having to run out and thanking her for the tea and muffin.

Then she was back, her cheeks pink, her eyes bright with excitement. And dammit, Xander was responsible for that look on her face, not him. That chafed.

“You’re sure?” she asked Corey while standing in the open doorway next to Mr. GQ.

“I’m sure,” Corey said.

At least he was sure about waiting to tell his mom and the historical society. Josie being alone with the slick city guy—that he was less sure about.

Chapter Twenty-Six

For days, Josie had felt like she couldn’t breathe. But now, the tightness in her chest lessoned and she could finally take a breath.

That was due mostly to the knowledge of who had the compass—and more importantly that it hadn’t been her fault it had gone missing. But it was also in part due to Xander and his wife Merry.

With their help, she might actually pull off this event. Make it as great as she knew it could be—should be. Worthy of a once every two-hundred and fifty-years celebration—give or take a few years.

She and Xander had worked for a good couple of hours. They’d even video conferenced in his wife from Cooperstown. Xander hadn’t been kidding. Merry knew everyone. Her contact list was worth its weight in gold. And Xander, in spite of his cocky attitude and constant sparring with Quinn, was amazing.

His brain didn’t work like normal people’s. It was like he was half computer. He could organize what had seemed like an unattainable list of random tasks into an action list, color coded and prioritized with completion dates, until it actually seemed doable. Like she could pull this off and it would be perfect. And he seemed to love doing it.

Bailey had called her manager a workaholic, and a tyrant, and taskmaster and a few other choice words a time or two. Now Josie could see why. He worked hard and no doubt demanded those working with him to do the same.

Lucky for both of them Josie had been known to pull a few all-nighters herself. Working through meals and sleep to get a job done.

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