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second?”
    Hester looked greatly annoyed with the interruption. “Is it important, Bic?”
    “Concerns her car.”
    “Is it bad?” Annie asked.
    Bic gave another low bow. “I’m afraid you done blowed a head gasket, your um, highness,” he said. “The part don’t cost all that much, but I’ll have to take the head off the engine. I usually charge six bills for that, but for you—” He leaned closer. “I’ll do it for half that price. I would like to have good relations with your country.”
    Annie did not know what to make of the man’s behavior. “Excuse me, Mr.—”
    “Bic,” he said. “Just call me Bic.”
    “I’m Annie. And you need not bow.” She saw that he was staring at her head. “Oh, the tiara?” she said. “It doesn’t mean anything. It’s just an adornment, of sorts.” She paused, feeling embarrassed for the umpteenth time in one day. “As for the limo, I can’t afford to have it repaired right now. I don’t have any money with me.”
    Bic didn’t look the least bit bothered by that fact. “That’s okay. I can go ahead and tow it over to my garage, and we can discuss payment when you’re ready. And under less stressful circumstances, I hope,” he added and smiled. “I just want you to know that most folks in this town are real friendly.”
    Annie thanked him, then, turned to the sheriff. “So, what’s it going to be?” she asked.
    Sheriff Hester looked at Sam and shrugged.
    “Okay,” Sam said. “I think we can settle this easily enough.” He regarded Annie. “Do you swear that this is your father’s vehicle, and, if so, are you planning on returning it to him in a timely manner?”
    “Yes, I swear it’s his vehicle, and, yes, I plan to return it once I make repairs,” she said. Annie was almost glad she didn’t have the funds because she wanted to give her father time to cool off, although, realistically, that was not likely to happen. He would never forgive her. Ever. And it wasn’t as if her father desperately needed the limo since he had a Rolls-Royce and a Bentley claiming two slots in their six car garage.
    Sam turned to the sheriff. “See, Harry? The young lady is just borrowing the family car.” Sam looked pleased with himself. “You can’t arrest her for that.” He leaned close to Hester. “Well, I suppose you could if you decided to play hardball with her,” he whispered, “but you’re going to end up looking like the bad guy.”
    Sam didn’t know why he was going to bat for the woman; after all, she was a complete stranger, and she had not gone out of her way to be friendly. Besides, he knew Harry wouldn’t lock her up. But he figured as long as he had an audience gawking from the sidewalk, he might as well do some fancy lawyer work and drum up a little future business.
    He reached into his shirt pocket for his business card and passed it to Annie. “Give me a call if I can help. Also, I’m part owner of a used car lot in case you need, um, a reliable vehicle. Which seems to be the case,” he added and pointed across the street where a construction trailer was surrounded by cars, trucks, SUVs, and even a couple of motorcycles.
    She looked confused. “I thought you owned a restaurant.”
    “Yes,” he said, “and we’ve got the best food in town.”
    “This card has you listed as an attorney.”
    “He’s a multi-tasker,” Darla said.
    “You might want to hang on to my card in case Sheriff Hester has a change of heart and decides to haul you in.”
    “Harry better not arrest her,” Darla said, cutting her eyes at the sheriff. “If she goes to jail, I go with her.”
    Agnes Moore, the town librarian, joined in. The crowd had circled the car again once Annie stepped out in her bridal gown. “I’ll not only go to jail with you ladies, I’ll notify the Friends of the Library and ask for their support.”
    The Petrie sisters, both elderly, stepped forth, almost shyly. “You can count us in,” Edyth Petrie said. Sister Ethyl