Page 95 of The Love Shack

As he now did after each late visit, Lawson called her once he was inside his own home. He did that for her, she knew, and she appreciated it, tonight more than ever.

After they disconnected, her phone dinged again, and she opened the photo he sent.

The laugh burst out of her, startling Hero, who appeared ready to go into rescue mode, should she require his assistance.

“I’m okay, bud.”Just falling hard for Lawson.Kathleen, posed in front of Oliver’s gym in workout gear, inviting people in. What really tickled her was the sweatband.

Her heart soared.

So did her fingers as she texted back:You did that?Wearing a huge grin, she waited for his reply.

Yes

Laughing again, she started out of the kitchen, turning off lights as she went. Hero trotted behind her.I’m proud of you.00

Back atcha

Knowing he meant because she’d called Chad, her grin settled into a soft smile.Thx.

A second later, he added:If that’s your heart I’m keeping it.

She really needed to think about keepinghim—overnight. Maybe every night.

Would he be on board with that?

Was he, too, thinking long-term?

Either way—forever, or just for right now—they were both adults. Although she worked for the town, she didn’t answer to them about her personal life.

Still, Cemetery was such a close community.

As Chad’s call had reminded her, she’d been gossiped about enough to last her a lifetime.

She debated with herself for a full minute... And then, smiling, she texted along another heart—times three.

On the last Thursday of the month, Berkley met Lawson at the town council meeting, and found that Oliver and Lark had also opted to join. She’d had no idea it would be so crowded, with all the seats taken and many others standing.

The four of them took positions against the wall in the back, even when a few of the men offered seats to Berkley and Lark. They were older gentlemen and certainly needed the chairs more than they did.

Oliver muttered low, “Returned your doll to you, Lawson.”

Snorting, Lawson said, “Gifts can’t be returned.”

“Already done.”

Berkley took in his smug smile and smothered a laugh, especially when Lawson said, “Paybacks are hell.”

Now both men were grinning.

These people, all of them, they were so...fun.

Lark leaned in to whisper, “Yardley, who runs the wedding business, told me it used to be torturous to come to these meetings, but now everyone loves them. It’s almost like a big celebration, and afterward, everyone flocks to Saul’s to eat. His wife, Emily, is already there with him.”

Berkley nudged her new friend. “Do you know everyone now?”

“I’m trying, and just so you know, Betty recruited me to make sure you’ll be at the next tea club meeting on Monday. Mimi has deemed it ‘funny hat’ day, so we’ll all be wearing some weird floral hats or something. Yardley is bringing a new flavor of tea, and Sally—she owns the sweet shop—is bringing cookies.”

In the last few weeks, Berkley knew she had changed a lot, because the tea party sounded like fun. “I’ll be there.”

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