Page 115 of Love on the Run

“I love you.”

Would she ever get tired of hearing those words? “I love you too.”

Chapter 37

Anna

Bright lights shone through the windows of Barn Sour as Beau parked in the gravel lot in front of the restaurant. The orange glow faded into the dark night before reaching them, and flurries of snow drifted gently toward the white ground.

“Asher and Hunter know how to draw a crowd,” Beau said as he turned off the engine.

Anna unbuckled and reached for the door. “It’s always a good show. I’m glad Donna lets them play so often, even if most of the people they bring in don’t buy drinks.”

Beau rested a hand on her arm. “Don’t move.” He hopped out and rounded the truck to open the door for her.

Anna took his offered hand and stepped out of the truck. “You’re such a gentleman. Are you going to dance with me tonight?”

Beau chuckled under his breath. “Like we did in Freedom? No way.”

The intimate dance class they’d taken in Freedom felt like a lifetime ago, but she couldn’t forget the way he held her or the way he’d whispered silly things in her ear. “We’d have every jaw in Blackwater dropping if we showed them what we know.”

Beau pressed a kiss to her temple. “I think that kind of dance should be our little secret. Maybe we can practice again sometime.”

A full-on belly laugh gripped her as Beau opened the door and raised voices rushed at them. It was just past seven, and the bar was already packed. Friends crowded in groups around tables laughing, while Asher and Hunter Harding set up their equipment beside the stage. The platform was only a couple of feet high, but it was enough to give the whole room a good view of the musicians.

Anna leaned in close to be heard above the noise as they weaved their way through the crowded room. “I haven’t heard the Hardings play in a while.”

“Me neither.” Beau leaned from one side to the other, scanning the room. “You see Travis? He’s supposed to have a table for us.”

Anna spotted Lauren across the room, waving. The two usually helped out with children’s activities at church together, but with the move and changingjobs, Anna hadn’t spent a lot of time hanging out with friends.

“Hey, girl! I’ve missed you!” Anna wrapped Lauren in a hug. “How are you?”

“Great. I just graduated with my master’s in psychology. I’m a licensed counselor now!”

“Congratulations! How many degrees is that now?”

Lauren rolled her eyes, but the smile on her face said it all. “Three, but who’s counting?”

“I’m counting. Tonight, we celebrate! A round of water and totchos for the whole place!” Anna shouted.

Lauren covered her mouth as she bent over in laughter, and the light in her eyes reflected pure joy. She’d overcome so much in her life, and she’d never once let the darkness win.

Lauren had lost family and friends. She’d been used for selfish gain by the people she loved most and had almost lost her life. Yet, she never let her chin fall.

Could Anna be like that? Could she be strong when she was losing the only life she’d ever known?

Anna wrapped her friend in a hug and held on. Lauren was living proof that anyone could be strong in the face of struggles.

“You’re amazing, and you’re going to change lives as a counselor,” Anna whispered against Lauren’s hair.

“Are you saying I haven’t been changing lives as a librarian all these years?” Lauren joked.

“You most certainly have, and you’re the best Sunday School teacher ever. I’m just happy you’re going after your dreams.”

Lauren stepped out of the hug with a huge smile on her face. “Thanks, girl.” She pointed behind Anna and gasped. “Look who’s here!”

Camille stepped through the crowd with her husband, Noah, and their little boys, Evan and Taylor.

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