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opportunity for conversation. “Four years? Why so long?”
    “I've been at college,” Harold explained. “I'd thought of coming back during the summers, but come on, California in June and July? No way.”
    California. That explained the bronze tan.
    “I thought of going to Calif—” I started to say.
    “He's not retiring?” someone exclaimed sharply behind me.
    I looked over my shoulder. “Huh?” I glanced at Emily. “What's going on?”
    Emily's face had gone solemn. “They're talking about the secret room. According to Mrs. Brooks, Mr. Brooks is pushing back his retirement.”
    I turned all the way around. Chester Rutherford was standing, as was Jane Brooks.
    “He's hiring a lawyer,” Jane was explaining. “He needs the extra money.”
    “A lawyer?” Chester exclaimed. “What the devil does he need a lawyer for?”
    “The secret room,” Jane mentioned. Just the mention of the secret room cast a gloomy pall over the previously cheery meeting. “He's intent on getting it blocked off. He's planning to take the city to court over it.”
    “You've got to be kidding me.” Chester turned to the audience. “How much longer are we going to let Edward push us around? How much do we really need his money?”
    His challenge was met with silence.
    “This is ridiculous.”
    “Why is Chester so upset? What does the secret room have to do with him?”
    The question was aimed at Emily, but Harold answered. “Nothing, not directly. But my dad works at Allied Innovation and as I understand, Chester is waiting for Edward to retire so he can get his position.”
    “Wow,” I murmured. “I'd be pretty mad, too.”
    “That's the last thing we want,” Harold said with a smirk.
    I looked at him. “What do you mean?”
    “I hear you were pretty fired up about Edward calling you out the other day. I'd hate to be on the receiving end of that wrath.”
    I crossed my arms and frowned. “I wasn't that mad.”
    “Relax,” he said. Usually being told to 'relax' made me angrier, but hearing it from Harold actually made me relax. His voice was cool and smooth, like butter. “I'm just teasing you. Tell you what—I’ll get him back for you.”
    “Oh? How so?”
    “I'll kick his butt. Take him out to the woodshed. Come on, I have to defend your honor, don't I?”
    I almost melted. Sure, he was being sarcastic, but the idea of Harold being my white knight was enough to have me weak in the knees. “Okay,” I said. “Go protect little old me.”
    “You got it,” he said. He looked up at the meeting, which looked to be dispersing. “It looks like everything is good here. I'm going to head out. Talk to you later, ladies.”
    “Bye, Harold!” Emily said with a wave of her hand.
    “See you soon.” I turned back to the meeting. “Crap.”
    “What?”
    “I should have asked him to go to the carnival with me.”

Chapter 10
    The library parking lot was a glittering wonderland.
    White Christmas lights had been strung up along the edges of the parking lots and tiki torches dotted the pavement. Along the far west side of the lot there were four grills set up, which pumped out pillars of smoke that smelled like cooking meat, charcoal, and barbecue sauce. Along the east side were various awnings and from this side of the parking lot emanated the smell of fresh baked cookies, cakes, candy—and where I was standing—cupcakes.
    “Thank you!” Emily said, handing Mr. Shade his change as I handed over a plate with two cupcakes on it. One was chocolate with white frosting and a red heart, the other was vanilla with strawberry frosting and a brown chocolate heart.
    As Mr. Shade retreated into the crowd, Alex ran the tent from front to back, restocking the display tray with fresh cupcakes from the large plastic bin in the back. We'd spent the previous night baking them.
    Emily turned to us. “We're doing great! At this rate we'll sell out by eight.”
    I looked at my watch. It was seven. There were still a few dozen more,