“No problem.” Turning to Snow, Spencer said, “Sorry about the fireplace thing.”
“You bought the mantel?” Her opponent had been in the front of the crowd, too far ahead for Snow to see from the back.
With an apologetic smile, he said, “It’s the only reason I’m here. We’re creating a seating area in the lobby of the Ruby, and that piece is exactly what we need.”
Snow couldn’t complain about that. “I was worried whoever bought it would turn it into kindling,” she said.
“The Ruby?” Caleb asked.
“A group of locals is working to restore the old movie theater in town,” Snow explained. “Spencer and Lorelei are on the committee handling the renovations.”
Caleb lost some of his pout. “I’d be interested in hearing more about the project.”
“We’re always happy to have a new volunteer,” Spencer said. “The next meeting is Friday night at Lancelot’s Restaurant. We’re rolling out the next phase of the plans, so any input will be welcome.”
Snow didn’t like the idea of Caleb inserting himself into the community. This was a temporary stay. He wasn’t supposed to make friends or join committees.
“I don’t know if we can make it,” Snow said.
“We’ll be there,” Caleb spoke over her.
As the pair stared each other down, Spencer said, “I’d better head in for the mantel. You two have a good day. And Snow, don’t be afraid to tell Lor to mind her own business.”
Before she could respond, Spencer melted into the crowd. “Why did you say that?” she asked Caleb. “You don’t know anything about restoration.”
“Yes,” he said. “I do. Did you say the store opens at noon?”
Thrown off by the change of subject, Snow hesitated before answering. “What? Yes. Noon.” She looked at the time on her phone. “Crap. That gives us less than an hour. And I forgot to ask Spencer if he’d haul the dresser over to the store.”
“We can get it.”
Snow shot Caleb a puzzled look. “What are we going to do? Strap the thing to the roll bars?”
“I’ll take you to the store, then rent a truck in town and come back for the dresser.”
“That’s crazy. Spencer can get it. He’s picked items up for me before,” Snow said. “He won’t mind.”
Caleb gave her a hard look. “I mind.”
She took a deep breath and prayed for patience. “I appreciate that you want to do this, but you’ve already been a big help today. As you said, I never would have bought that painting without you.” She looked around for a mission to send him on. “Why don’t you check out the truck while I get the painting, and I’ll meet you at the Jeep.” She used a tone reserved for encouraging toddlers to eat their brussels sprouts. “I won’t be long, I promise.”
Before he could argue, Snow hustled along the front of the porch and charged into the house looking for Spencer. She found him in the parlor wrapping the mantel in bubble wrap.
“There you are,” she said. “I forgot to ask you something outside.”
Spencer taped down a piece of packing material. “What do you need?”
“I bought a dresser, and I’m hoping you can bring it to the store for me.”
“I can do that,” he said. “I’ll get Coop to help me load it up as soon as I’m done here. Do you have the receipt?”
“Oh,” Snow said, figuring out which sheet in her hand went with the furniture. “Here you go.”
Shoving the slip in his back pocket, he said, “It’ll be there this afternoon.”
“Thanks.” Snow hesitated before moving on to get the painting. “This is going to seem . . . odd,” she said, “but I don’t want Caleb getting too involved with things here in town. He probably won’t be around for long, so there’s no point, really.”
Taking a break from the wrapping, Spencer said, “Does Caleb know he won’t be around for long?”
“Well,” she hemmed, “he and I don’t quite agree on the length of his stay.”
“Right.” Spencer unrolled another strip of wrap. “That doesn’t look like a guy who’s leaving town anytime soon. At least not without taking his wife with him.”
Snow surveyed the area for potential eavesdroppers. “Shh . . .” she said. “I told you, I don’t want anyone to know we’re married.”
“Sorry,” Spencer apologized. “But if the guy wants to help out with the Ruby, I’m not going to turn him away.”