Ethan gently nudged her with his elbow. “Hey, don’t let that woman get to you.”

Hannah’s gaze met his. “Agnes is right. I’ve let myself get pulled in every direction. I need to slow down and focus. I can’t let this town down.”

He draped his arm over her shoulders and pulled her to him. “You won’t.”

“Did you see how everyone was looking at me in there?”

“They weren’t looking at you. They were glaring at Agnes. When I walked away, there were a number of people jumping to your defense and letting Agnes know that they didn’t agree with her.”

“They did?”

He smiled and nodded. “Don’t you know how much this town cares about you?”

“I…” She wasn’t sure what to say. She was deeply touched to know that the townspeople had stood up for her. “I need to do something different. Obviously I have to finish my remaining baking orders, but once those are done, I’m done baking until the shop opens. That is if you don’t mind waiting a little bit for me to pay you back for the chandelier.” When he shook his head, she said, “I’ll spend the mornings focused on the festival plans and making phone calls. In the afternoons, I’ll help you in the bakery.”

“You don’t have to do that. I told you I’d get it done.” The worry reflected in his eyes.

She wasn’t the only one who had taken on more work than was reasonable. “I insist.” She got to her feet. “I should go back inside.” She rubbed her hands over her arms.

Ethan stood. He took off his suit jacket and draped it over her shoulders. “You don’t have to go back in there. Everyone will understand.”

“But I can’t just walk away. What will they think?”

In the bright moonlight, Ethan stared deep into her eyes. He gently gripped her shoulders. “They will think you have the biggest heart and try to help everyone.”

She should glance away but she was drawn in by his warm brown eyes. Her heart pounded in her chest. It echoed in her ears. Could he hear it? How could he not?

They’d been fighting this thing between them since they’d met. What would be wrong with giving into it just this once? After all, the whole town thought they were involved, why not live up to the hype?

With Ethan standing so close, it was hard to think straight. And with his jacket draped about her, she breathed in the scent of his spicy cologne. She inhaled deeper. Mm…

And then his gaze dipped to her lips. Was he going to kiss her? Her heart leapt into her throat, blocking any words she might say. Not that she could think of anything to say in that moment.

Did she want him to kiss her? Oh yes, she did. She’d never been so sure about anything in her life.

She lifted up on her tiptoes and then he was there pressing his lips to hers. It was better than she thought it would be—better than it had been in her dreams. Her feet felt as though they were no longer touching the ground.