Ean raised his brows. “How did that go?”
“About as well as you’d imagine. She didn’t appreciate my confronting her.”
Ean crossed his arms over his chest. “She’s not used to you standing up to her.”
“I’m not used to my standing up to her.” Megan laughed.
“Then why did you?”
Megan stared out the bay window. “I was tired. Tired of her bullying me, pushing me around and taking what I wanted.”
Ean’s heart skipped. “Me?”
Megan met his gaze over her shoulder. “Yes. I wasn’t going to let her take you from me.”
His heart sped up. “What did she say?”
“She seems to think I don’t have a prayer of holding on to you.”
Surprised laughter burst from Ean’s throat. “She’s wrong.”
A playful smile curved Megan’s generous lips. “That’s nice to hear. She also asked about Quincy moving to Philadelphia.”
“What did you say?”
“I thought that was a strange question.” Megan faced him. A look of suspicion sparked in her eyes. “Do you know anything about her sudden interest in Quincy’s plans?”
“I might, but I’ll let Quincy tell you about it.”
Megan’s eyes stretched wide with amazement. “Ean Fever, you’re playing matchmaker. I never imagined you as a romantic.”
“Maybe you’re changing me.” Ean stepped closer to her.
She laughed. “I’m not a romantic.”
“Then maybe we’re changing each other.” He drew her into his arms.
Megan tilted her head and searched his eyes. “For the better, I hope.”
“Would either of us have it any other way?”
CHAPTER 22
Megan surveyed the packed assembly hall as yet another Tuesday-night town council meeting came to an end. She shifted closer to Ean and lowered her voice to a whisper. “There are even more people here tonight than usual. It’s surprising this close to Thanksgiving.”
The room teemed with town center business owners and their families, and neighbors who hadn’t attended a council meeting in at least four years.
Ean whispered back. “Makes you wonder if they’re here for the issues, or because they expect you and Ramona to give them a show.”
Megan’s stomach muscles knotted. “Thanks a lot.”
“Just wondering.”
Town council president CeCe Roben banged her gavel for attention. Her pale blue eyes watched Megan as she addressed the audience. “Are there any questions or statements from the public?”
A murmur rippled through the audience. Megan returned the other woman’s gaze without shrinking. Ean was probably right. Her neighbors were expecting a show. She wasn’t looking to accommodate them, but she couldn’t speak for Ramona.
Megan strode to the podium. Her knees were solid. Her pulse was steady. She’d found the confidence to confront Ramona about Ean. Facing her now to protect Books & Bakery and the Trinity Falls Town Center was a breeze in comparison.