Page 31 of Finding Alfred
“I have to have vanilla but maybe pralines as well?” Jackie practically salivated as he eyed the counter.
“That sounds perfect.”
“Huh. Kind of like us. You’re vanilla and I’m nuts.”
That one got an eyeroll from me.
But someone behind us said, “You’re nuts alright.” It was Nate who owned Pints ‘N Pool, where I’d stayed when I first moved to town.
Jackie stuck his tongue out at him. “Maybe that makes this town a fun-ner place.”
“Fun-ner?” Nate shook his head. “Aren’t you an English major or something?”
Jackie pointed at Nate. “Alright. Alright. None of your snark today. We’re here for the goods.”
Nate smiled then, softening his normally stern features. “You’ve come to the right place for goods. This stuff is going to make me fat. I’m already going back for seconds.” He looked over his shoulder at Kit. “And one for my husband.” That was Kit, who I’d met Kit a time or two; he was a cute, bubbly blonde and a really friendly guy. And more approachable than Nate. Brock and Jackie said Nate was the best, but he was kind of scary to me. Even scarier than Brock. Hell, they could start and motorcycle gang together and scare the whole fucking county with those burly physiques and scowly mugs. But they really were sweet guys. And Queen Gaming had an ongoing relationship with Nate. Several of our employees were now more permanent residents in his RV park behind the bar.
We all ordered and then hung around the store chatting while we ate our treats. The place was packed with people laughing and talking. Then my friend from work, Remy, walked in with Ash, Kit’s brother. Remy was staying in the RV park, so I wasn’t surprised to see them together. But.
Someone snorted when they came in, and I didn’t know who. Then someone else said, “How does that even work? Are they for real?” I didn’t understand what they were talking about.
“Remy!” I waved to get his attention, and he waved back but didn’t come over to talk. Instead, he put his arm around Ash’sshoulders as they moved through the store and to the back. The next thing I noticed was that both of them slid behind the counter and helped McClain, but they didn’t work here. Remy worked for Queen Gaming. And I thought Ash was working at the hardware store and helping out at the bar. McClain sure needed the help since the place was packed, but it seemed like more than them simply being nice.
Near the door, Evelyn laughed and loudly said, “Foggy Basin isturning into the rainbow coalition. In a happy way.” She hugged Brock as he walked in. “I’m so happy our town is growing like this. All are welcome here.”
“This is how it should be.” Eddy followed right behind them.
“Don’t forget it, either.” Evelyn glared at the area where the other comments had come from, but no one said anything else. So it seemed they were talking about Remy, Ash, and apparently, McClain. All three were new in town, so I was impressed at how fast they moved—if all that was even true. Well, it looked like it might be, and they were good together with Remy’s dark, dreamy looks, Ash’s wildness, and McClain, well, he was dashing. They didn’t deserve to have jerks speculating about them and making stupid comments.
And then it hit me. I wasn’t exactly sure why this moment, or why I hadn’t quite realized this before. Maybe it was the thought thattheywere worthy of respect simply because they were people. And maybe so wasI. “That was half my problem. Or more. All along.”
“What?” Jackie put his arm around my shoulder and looked at me as if he really wanted to know. And yes, I was going to tell him.
“I didn’t ever think I deserved this.” I swept a wave, encompassing the store, but more than that. “Friends, family, acceptance. What have I done to earn this? A good life.”
“Hm. Well, that’s crap. You deserve all of this and more, and I want to give it to you.” Jackie kissed the side of my head in a sweet gesture. Damn. He was totally getting lucky later.
Chapter twenty-five
Alfred was stretched out on the lawn chair on the sun shelf. Cameron had talked me into adding it at one end, and since we put it at the back beside the stairs, it still left plenty of length for Alfred to get his laps in. And he seemed to like it, since he relaxed there after swimming his laps every single day. I’d ordered special lounge chairs for this area that not only fit the small four-by-four space but were also resistant to water, which came up to Alfred’s mid-thigh. They were kind of funky looking with no legs, but he said they were comfortable.
I’d slathered him up with suntan lotion before he went out, so he wouldn’t burn up. It was becoming a regular thing, and I had no complaints, especially since he wore those short-short trunks and no shirt, showing off those long legs and sexy chest. Yum. And even more importantly, it made him happy and relaxed.
He put his book down on the side of the pool as I walked out and looked up at me from behind his Oakley shades. “Hey. Wanna join me?”
I stepped down to the ledge, careful not to splash and get his book wet. I’d come out here to talk to him because his comments the day before were still bugging me. “You know, this is your life. Youshouldhave this every day.”
“What?” He pulled me down onto his lounger with him. “What are you talking about?”
“At the creamery opening, you said you didn’t think you deserved this.”
“Oh. Yeah.”
“But you do. This…the pool, the house, nature…me. Everything.”
Alfred circled around, pushing me back on the lounger, then slinked down between my legs and wiggled against me. “What exactly are you saying, Mr. Corbin?”
“This is our forever. And you’re beyond worthy of it. I want to give you everything.”
