Page 60 of Echoes of You

“Why don’t you let me drive you?” Nash offered.

“I’m good. Really. And I need to take those new tires for a spin.”

Nash and Lawson had kept their promise. The repair shop had gone ahead with the new set of tires and had even delivered the car to my doorstep this morning. The insurance company was taking longer, but it was all in progress, and the kindness of a small town meant they returned my car on the honor system that someone would eventually pay the bill. I’d missed that kind of thing while living in Atlanta.

Nash frowned at his coffee. “Will you text me when you get there and when you leave?”

I fought the urge to sigh. I really shouldn’t indulge the crazy overprotectiveness, but the fact that it came from a place of care had me giving in. “All right.”

He crossed to me, pressing a kiss to my forehead. “Thanks. Have fun. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”

I arched a brow at Nash. “You mean I can streak downtown on a dare?”

A devilish grin spread across his face. “It was just one time.”

“Your dad was not pleased at that call from the police.”

Nash shrugged. “It really isn’t a challenge to do it at night. You need to do it during the day for a true thrill.”

I snorted. “You definitely gave the knitting club a thrill, all right.”

“Those ladies are a bunch of dirty birds. Did you know that Darlene still pinches my butt every time she sees me and says, ‘If you put it out there, I’m going to break me off a piece.’?”

I covered my mouth with my hand. “She doesn’t.”

“If I didn’t admire her game, I’d arrest her for harassment.”

I shook my head but did it smiling. “I’m never gonna look at her the same.”

“You shouldn’t.”

I grabbed my purse from the counter. “Enjoy your day off, but no streaking.”

Nash’s lips twitched. “I’ll try to restrain myself.”

I sent him a wave and headed out the door to my SUV. Climbing behind the wheel, I started for Grae’s place on the outskirts of town. She lived in an adorable one-bedroom cottage with a gorgeous lake view. It had a million windows, letting that view in from almost every room.

Pulling to a stop in front of the house, I turned off the engine and got out. I climbed the steps to knock, but the door flew open before I could, and Grae pulled me in for a hug. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

I fought off the wince as she hit a still-tender rib. “Thanks for inviting me.”

“Come in, come in. I just pulled the quiche out of the oven.”

“As a favor to us all, I did not cook, but I did pick up a few pastries from The Brew,” Wren called.

I chuckled. “I told you I could’ve brought something.”

Grae shook her head. “This is your welcome-back brunch. You only had to bring yourself.”

“Well, that I did.”

“I’ve got us set up in the living room,” Grae said.

Everything about her space was personal. Family photos. Tchotchkes from different adventures. Artwork you wouldn’t think would go together but somehow did.

Grae had set the coffee table with a bouquet of wildflowers, cloth napkins embroidered with a delicate design, and gorgeous dishware. We carried the serving dishes and drinks over and settled on pillows on the floor.

“You have the best place,” I marveled.

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