Page 194 of Huckleberry Hill
Chelsea and Wade walked off just as the line moved inside. Gracie and her husband Cole were behind the counter. Her in-laws came out from the kitchen with trays of fresh baked goods.
“Hey guys,” Gracie greeted with a bright smile. “Congratulations!”
I held in an internal sigh. “Who told you? Lucy or Eloise?”
“Neither. Amber Winston told me. She was a little snide, though.”
“Who’s Amber Winston?” Declan asked.
“The resident mean girl of our graduating class,” Cole explained. “Congrats, dude.”
Declan shook Cole’s hand. “Thanks, man.”
“We still need to have dinner,” Gracie said. “Cole’s parents will babysit Bella.”
“Their one-year-old,” I clarified. “Where is she?”
“Abby’s younger sister is babysitting,” Cole explained.
I ordered a chocolate milk, much to Declan’s amusement, and a couple of pastries to go.
We got our orders and stepped outside the bakery and rejoined the group that was waiting for us.
“I’ve had enough of the festival,” Muddy said, handing the leash to Declan. “I think I’m headed home. I’m that way.”
“We’ll walk with you,” Dad said. “We haven’t seen those booths yet.”
We said goodbye and then Declan and I ambled the opposite direction. We stopped off in front of the jam band. Declan scooped Tempest into his arms and brought us both to his chest. Even though the song wasn’t a slow one, it didn’t matter.
With Tempest sandwiched between us, we danced together. He wrapped an arm around me and I pressed my cheek to his chest. I sighed and closed my eyes, breathing in the moment with this gorgeous man that had completely stolen my heart.
When the song ended, he reluctantly let me go and set Tempest down.
“There’s a barn dance in the fall,” I said, looking up at him. “You wanna go with me?”
“Trying to lock me down months in advance?” Declan teased. “Hell yeah, I’ll go with you.”
We wandered toward the end of the street and saw the Mountain Mutt Rescue booth with dogs up for adoption.
“Come on!” I squealed.
“Hang on,” Declan said with a laugh, tightening his grip on Tempest’s leash.
“Hi there,” the volunteer greeted with a wide smile. Her blonde ponytail was nearly on top of her head and the name on her blue T-shirt with the rescue’s name read Pam.
“Hi,” I replied.
“It’s been crazy!” Pam said. “We started the day with fifteen dogs. We only have four fur babies left. Let me know if you want to spend any time with them.”
“We’re just looking,” Declan said. “We already have our hands full.”
Pam looked at Tempest. “May I?”
“Sure thing,” Declan offered.
Pam crouched down to pet Tempest.
I wandered through the tent. The four remaining puppies wagged their tails when they saw me approach. “So sweet,” I murmured, wanting to give them all the love in the world.
