Page 61 of Clearly Charmed

He let out a small whimper like I’d reminded him of his pain.

‘Dani,’ Lia huffed. ‘You have to get him out of here.’

I grabbed the dog’s collar and moved outside, waving down the judge and Eric, who were scurrying around the tent across the street readying it for the pie-eating contest.

‘Missing something?’ I called to them.

Both their heads snapped up. Eric gave the judge a withering look before coming to collect Julius.

‘Sorry, Dani.’ Eric was dressed in jeans and a white Denver Broncos polo that he often wore when he worked the sidelines during home games. He’d taken the job as a commentator when his days as a player ended with a bad break to his right tibia. ‘We brought his bed into the tent, and he was content a minute ago when I checked on him.’

‘It’s all right. Gave me a chance to look him over after the recent quill incident.’

Eric’s lips went firm. ‘I keep telling Gerald to not let him stray too far in the woods, but I swear Julius knows where those porcupines are hiding every time.’

‘Leash him up for his walks,’ I said, feeling like that was a refrain I kept mentioning to all my clients.

‘Will do. I promise.’ He gave me a wide smile, bunching up his warm brown cheeks, before he tugged Julius away.

Once I returned to the children’s tent, Lia gave me a pointed look.

‘What?’

‘I swear you’re freaking Snow White come to life. We can’t go anywhere without some critter wanting to get close.’

‘It’s the kind and sweet vibe I give off,’ I said with a tease.

‘Good thing that reporter wasn’t here. God knows how he’d twist it.’

‘You know his name. And one dog coming to greet me is proof of nothing.’

‘Okay, Snow,’ she muttered before going back to her vegetables.

I slid the lid back onto the crate, but not before grabbing one tempting apple, rubbing it against my T-shirt, and giving it a good bite. ‘Where’s Aster?’ I said as juice dribbled down my chin.

‘She texted me five minutes ago. Said she had one errand to run, and then she’d be here.’

‘Please tell me she did not book any events for today. We’re going to need her once the kids show up,’ I said.

‘All she said was that it was something important we needed for today.’

I walked back to the table in the center of the tent and grabbed a few paper bowls. ‘Might as well start cutting up the apples while we wait for her.’

Lia’s mouth puckered.

‘What now?’

‘They get brown when you cut them up.’

‘That won’t matter if the kids are covering them in chocolate.’

She shrugged. Went back to her own work.

‘We are not doing this all day. Say what’s on your mind before I go all big sister on you.’

‘People are talking. Ever since that dinner at Clo’s, Bryce has been turning over every stone in Harvest Moon. Asking probing questions about the town’s history, and about our family lines. Elena even told me that he had coffee the other day with the chief. What the hell does the chief know? He’s only lived here a few years.’ She stopped, the lines hardening around her mouth. ‘And Aster—’

‘What about her?’