Dougal bustled over to the lectern. “Unofficial mayor,” he corrected.
Josh shook his head a little. Where the hell was the official mayor? Never mind.
“I’m thinking,” Josh said into the mic, “that the proceeds from the concert can be held by the council and used for things the teenagers might appreciate. Things they want more than they want to post photos online.”
Dougal patted him on the back. “Ah, I like the way you think, young man. A bribe. Well, we do need a new computer suite at the community centre, or a new football pitch on the edge of town. Who knows, maybe we could even stretch to a small recording studio for budding artists. I’m pretty sure we could cover all the interests represented by our teenagers.”
Josh gave him an encouraging nod. Caroline folded her arms and glared at him. Josh swallowed a laugh.
“So there it is, folks—if you guys can help us out, we can do something for everyone in town. Your business will get a boost. Your kids will get a bribe. What do you say? Want to help us keep our wedding private?”
There was a roar of approval. Josh led Caroline back to their seats. She was stiff as a board. Mad at his interference.
“We’re setting up roadblocks on the main road out of town,” Dougal was saying as Josh finger walked up Caroline’s spine to the base of her neck. She tried to shake him off. “It’s our town. We can decide who comes and goes, and if we don’t want the press in here, then we don’t need to l
et them in. The domino boys have offered to man the barricades.”
“I’ll help,” shouted Betty. “Lake’s been teaching me interrogation techniques. They might come in handy.”
When everyone turned towards Lake, he shrugged. “You want her to be bored?”
“The man has a point,” Dougal said.
“I love this town,” Josh whispered to Caroline, who gave an unladylike snort.
Josh rubbed the tense spot in Caroline’s neck. She very slightly shrugged, trying to make him stop.
“Stop it,” she snapped at him. “We’re in public. And I’m annoyed with you. I had everything under control. You didn’t need to butt in and bribe everyone. People would have done the right thing, because it was the right thing to do.” She gave him a look that might have turned him to stone—if she’d possessed any sort of power over him. Instead, it made his mouth water.
She shuffled in her seat to get away from him. Josh wrapped his hand around her hip and tugged her back, snug against him.
“Behave,” he whispered. “You have no idea what I could say, or do, in front of this crowd. I’m an unknown entity and I have absolutely no shame. I’m not easily embarrassed. Ask Mitch.”
Caroline shot daggers at him from the corner of her eye. Josh chuckled.
“Baby, not everyone has your well-developed sense of right and wrong. People need a little incentive.” Josh trailed his fingers up her back and into her hair. She gave him a haughty glance over her shoulder. It was intended to remind him of his place. Which, he guessed, was somewhere around the level of a subject to Queen Caroline. “You have a very low opinion of people.”
“No. I’m a realist. A realist with resources. Resources that are yours to use. That’s what marriage is about. We help each other.”
“We’re not married yet.” Caroline gave him the evil eye, and the chuckle he’d been stifling erupted from him.
He leaned in closer to breathe her deeply. He slid his hand down her back until it curved comfortably on her hip.
“Two last things,” Dougal was saying. “Don’t hassle the happy couple—they have a right to their special day, just the same as you do. And second, there’s a sale on chips at the pub after the meeting.” He looked at Betty. “This one wasn’t organised by Betty.”
There was a whoop of laughter as people noisily cleared out of the hall. Caroline jumped to her feet and practically ran from Josh. He shook his head slowly. You can run, but you can’t hide.
Josh watched Dougal talk to Caroline. His huge belly was wrapped in a pink shirt and green tartan waistcoat. He looked exactly the way a Christmas gift would look if a drunken Elton John was wrapping it. Caroline stepped out from behind Dougal, and her eyes caught Josh’s. Josh smiled before blowing her a kiss. She stumbled, and Dougal reached out to steady her.
“I’m Caroline’s best friend,” a voice beside Josh said.
He turned to find a stunning redhead, flanked by the guy who was responsible for Betty. Josh stood and offered his hand.
“I’m Kirsty, and this is my fiancé, Lake.” She gripped his hand tightly when he moved to let go, and leaned towards him. “If you hurt my friend, or upset her in anyway, I will eviscerate you.”
Josh blinked, then smiled. “Good to know.”
Lake didn’t smile as he offered his hand. “Lake Benson, of Eye Spy security. Ex-special forces. Who’s doing the security for the wedding?”