Page 5 of A Package Deal

“Wu,” Nelie said. “Senor Wu is my favorite place for takeout in Haven. It’s a mix of Mexican and Chinese foods. You can get sweet and sour chicken or cheese enchiladas. Or egg rolls stuffed with taco fillings. Those are my favorite.” Nelie dumped Ava’s apple mixture into a bowl with bread pieces and poured an eggy-looking batter over it.

“But I want to eat here.” Piper said. “I want Ava’s pudding.”

“If you’re not tired of us,” Ava added as she washed her hands. Nelie handed her the fingernail brush and Ava nodded.

“Never, but we’ll have to say our goodbyes here. I need to get this bread pudding into the oven and get washed up. I’m filling in for a bartender, so if you decide to stay, I won’t make it over to your table. But you can’t go wrong with Senor Wu’s either,” Nelie said.

Ava and Piper exchanged a look. Piper frowned and Ava tilted her head and lifted her brows. “Fine,” Piper sighed, yanking up her coat’s zipper.

“Here,” Nelie dug a piece of paper from her apron. Her voice bubbled with laughter. Chet unfolded the paper.Wow!In Nelie’s neat handwriting was a list of kid-appropriate after-school activities, complete with the day, time, and contact information.

“Where did you get this?” he asked, as if it was a long-lost treasure map.And how much time did it take you?

“I told you. Multitasking. A few moms always meet here for lunch each week after their yoga class, and I asked them. I called the elementary school and talked to Marcie in the main office, and she emailed me a list. I also checked theHaven Timesonline back issues, and one of your August issues had a list of activities.”

Chet’s face felt warm. “I didn’t think to look there.”And I should have asked at the school when I was there this morning.

She looked smug. “Well, you should. It’s a font of information for the community,” she teased.

“So, I’ve heard.” He pocketed the list. “I’ll look at it tonight. Thanks,” he said, wrapping his arms around her for a quick hug she didn’t step away from. She was a lifesaver.

Piper tugged on his coat, and Chet dropped his arms. She glared at him. “Are you dating?” she asked, turning her head between him and Nelie.

“No,” Nelie said, sounding like she wouldn’t date him again, even if he was the last man on Earth.

“Kissing friends?” Piper asked, and Chet coughed.

“No-o-o.” Nelie drew out the word. Chet didn’t know how much more rejection his ego could stand.

“Friendly friends?” Piper asked. Chet didn’t know what that was, but he needed her to stop. He squeezed Piper’s shoulder to get her attention.

“Nelie and I are friends. Good friends.” He looked at Nelie, daring her to contradict him, and she smiled and nodded when Piper looked at her.

“That’s good,” Piper said.

“Why is that good?” Chet wanted insight into Piper’s fascinating mind.

“You can lose a girlfriend, but you can’t lose a friend, and I don’t want to lose Nelie.” Piper wrapped her arms around Nelie.Oh, boy,he thought. He’d hoped Nelie would forgive him and they could pick up where they’d left off in November, but Piper’s words wrapped his desire in bright red DANGER tape and surrounded it with flashing PROCEED WITH CAUTION signs.

“You won’t lose me, I promise,” Nelie said.

Chapter 4

“So,doyoumissit?” Nelie asked Krista as she handed her menu to the server. It was Nelie’s day off and she’d invited Krista and Emily to join her for lunch at the Hart Lounge, thinking Hart Hotel’s on-site restaurant would make it easier for them to sayyes. Plus, she loved eating at places other than the Galley. The Hart Lounge overlooked the Poplar River and was everything the Galley wasn’t. It was light and modern with its clean lines, white wood, and steel accents. The abundance of green plants and striped cushions on the benches and chairs gave it a tropical feel.

“Miss what?” Krista, one of Nelie’s oldest friends, asked.

“Working here.”

Krista unrolled her silverware and placed her napkin on her lap. “No?” she answered, and Emily laughed.

“Pretend that I’m not married to your boss and answer the question honestly,” Emily said, lightly swatting Krista’s shoulder.

“I miss the people here, but I really like this new role. It’s given me a chance to visit other Hart properties, review their hospitality systems, make suggestions, and work with the managers to implement them. It’s more rewarding than I thought it would be, but I miss home. And Croix. If he’d kept his big mouth shut, Jackson wouldn’t have gotten the idea for this position.”

“From a business perspective, we’re glad he did.” As the CEO’s wife and special project manager at Hart—besides her part-time mayor’s job—Emily had all the inside information. “But we know this won’t be easy on you and Croix.”

“When do you leave next?” Nelie asked, living vicariously through her friend. Nelie loved traveling, even though she’d never been further than the states surrounding Minnesota.Someday, she thought.

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