Page 14 of The Love Shack

“And you’re a boxer kind of man, I take it?”

He put his nose in the air in a comical way. “I like variety.”

Unable to hold her standoffish manner, Berkley cracked a grin. “They’re black, though, not white.” In an aside to Betty, she said, “He has a preference for white.”

With his gaze holding hers, he walked closer. “Variety, remember? Black, gray, navy blue, white...”

“Red?” Betty asked, as if there’d be a test. “Green?” She brightened. “Oh, I know. Purple.” She turned to Berkley. “Wouldn’t he look striking in purple?”

Her grin widened. “I dunno.” She pretended to mull it over. “I’m thinking sunny yellow.”

Instead of being embarrassed by their teasing, Lawson stopped right in front of her and said, “You’re imagining me in my boxers.”

He stated it as a fact, causing her face to go hot as she sputtered denials.

Betty quipped, “Well, I am, certainly. What do you expect when your underwear is being tossed around Cemetery?”

“I didn’ttossanything,” Lawson grumbled. “That cat is a crook.”

They all turned to see Cheese now curled up comfortably on the boxers, using them as a bed—on Betty’s car—and watching them with her large yellow eyes.

“Aww,” Betty said. “I think you should let her keep them.”

“Are we talking Berkley or Cheese?”

Berkley choked, and without thinking better of it, she gave Lawson a shove. Or tried to, anyway. The man was rock-solid and didn’t budge. All she managed was to get Lawson and Betty both laughing. Betty even braced a hand on Lawson’s forearm, as if she needed help staying upright in her hilarity.

Many people in the town considered the matriarch stuffy and strict, and they always seemed to be extra proper and mannered around her.

Berkley didn’t know how to be proper and mannered, and besides, around the shelter, Betty was always more relaxed, open and friendly, and the elder had a wicked sense of humor.

Animals did that for people, bringing joy in unexpected ways.

Winding down on her laughter, Betty wiped her eyes, patted Lawson and smiled at Berkley. “I came today to help walk the dogs. You don’t mind, do you?”

Thrilled for a different focus, Berkley said, “Of course not. You’re wonderful with them. Just let Whitley know and she can make sure you don’t get one of the more rambunctious animals.” She didn’t want Betty dragged or tripped. Some of the dogs were still learning manners.

Hero came to attention, his tail swinging. Betty bent to pat the dog’s head. “Is it okay for him to go along, too?”

“Sure. Hero is great with the new animals. He’s not leashed here because he doesn’t stray off, and in fact, he helps to keep the others corralled.”

“Perfect. Come on, then, Hero. Let’s go visit.”

Once Betty and the dog walked off, the air around her and Lawson grew remarkably warmer, making it more difficult to breathe.

“Is it always so chaotic around here?”

Understanding his meaning, she, too, glanced at the scene, with dogs barking, and chatting people coming and going, her workers busy supervising. Birds sang overhead from the trees. From somewhere inside the shelter, she could hear cats meowing. “Yes,” she said. “It is. Not at all the order and neatness you seem to prefer.”

“Oh, I don’t know. This is an enjoyable kind of chaos.”

Because his gaze rested on her, Berkley felt herself tensing.

“You do that a lot, you know.”

She turned up her face to meet his eyes. Lawson was so blasted tall. Not that she was a short woman, but next to him... “Do what?”

He cupped her left shoulder, his fingers lightly massaging while his thumb pressed. “You tense up, like you’re bracing for impact. Am I so scary?”

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