off from spending their money on food.”
“Change is invigorating and offers opportunities for better things.” God, she sounded like a motivational poster.
“Not every change is positive. That’s a lesson only age and wisdom will impart. The voters will understand.”
Anna harrumphed. “I would make—will make—an excellent mayor.”
“I’m sure you will. In twenty years. For now, you should allow more seasoned adults to make decisions that will impact every resident of Highland for years to come. No one wants to see their taxes increase. That’s a fact.”
Anna tucked her hair behind her ear, wanting to close the window and her eyes against Loretta and the outside world. She didn’t, of course.
“But a penny tax would—”
“No one wants a tax increase, girl, and that’s that.” Loretta’s voice had risen and attracted the curious glances from the tourists walking along the sidewalk. Her gaze pinned Anna to the seat like mounting a butterfly.
Would it warrant a Sunday sermon if she told Loretta to go to hell? Politely, of course. Before Anna could weigh the pros and cons, a deep voice broke their stare down.
“You all right, Anna?” Iain placed a hand on the open window frame and angled himself to face Loretta.
“Did you get them?” Anna’s only thought was getting the miracle of antibiotics into her system.
Iain held up the pharmacy bag, shook it, and waggled his eyebrows. Loretta took a step backward, her eyes huge and darting between them. Anna could practically see the hamster wheel spinning in her head. Oh God, what did Loretta think was in the bag? Lube and condoms?
Anna tried to work up some embarrassment, but all she wanted to do was laugh. She only stopped herself because it would hurt her throat.
“How is the door, Ms. Loretta? If it’s sticking, I can adjust it,” Iain said.
“It’s perfect. Have you thought any more about taking on more work?” She smoothed the graying hair at her neck and favored Iain with a coquettish smile that charmed the American Legion bunch.
“I’ve been busy, but I’ll let you know if I have time. If you’ll excuse us, we have things that can’t wait another minute.” Once more Iain shook the pharmacy bag.
Loretta quickstepped to stand in the door of her shop and watched until they drove off. Anna retrieved the medicine and the bottle of iced tea Iain had kindly provided, popped a pill, and forced it down.
Then, she laughed weakly before grabbing her throat. “You know she thinks we’re going to boink like rabbits. In the light of day, no less. The scandal.”
He brake-checked and shot an incredulous glance over at her. “What in blazes are you talking about?”
“I’m talking about you and your cute little eyebrow waggle as you shook the bag and informed her we had things to do that couldn’t wait.”
“Getting you feeling better can’t wait.”
“My guess is Loretta thinks you can’t wait to rip my clothes off and take wild advantage of me.” The antibiotics couldn’t be working yet. Nevertheless, she felt lighter. Hope was a powerful drug.
“Would it be taking wild advantage of you?” He raised a single eyebrow and shot her another look.
A look that could only be interpreted as evocative. But evocative of what? Did he want to take wild advantage of her? Not that any overture he made would be taking advantage of her. If anything of that ilk occurred, it would be mutual. More than mutual. In fact, she might be the one taking wild advantage of him. Every spare moment, her brain revisited the incident in the barn. The question of what was under his kilt warranted further investigation.
Unfortunately, the sounds coming out of her mouth did not emerge as words. She was speechless. It might be a first. He didn’t backtrack or make excuses for his leading question, he merely drove on, waiting and silent.
Their arrival at Stonehaven broke the deadlock. She swayed out front, unsure. Her car was there, so she could drive herself home and curl up in her own bed. But work awaited her in the office. Maybe she could close her eyes for a few minutes on the couch and then make some calls.
Iain put a hand on her lower back and guided her up the steps and inside the house. “You’re going to lay down in one of the spare rooms upstairs.”
“I can’t.”
“Why not?”
“I have classes to teach.” She swayed on her feet.
“Not only are you physically unable to teach, you are also contagious. You must cancel.” He spoke gently but firmly. “Tell me what