Page 34 of The Love Shack

He looked happy, and that was important, right? A guy like him deserved...everything.

When he straightened again, his attention snagged on her. Berkley didn’t know if she should wave, look away, or maybe just leave the remainder of her dinner and get back to the shelter.

Before she could decide, he said something to the woman, who shook her head, and then with his hand at the small of her back, he guided her through the restaurant.

Toward Berkley.

For real, she didn’t need an introduction to his date. She grabbed a fry, ready to stuff it into her mouth so she’d have an excuse to ignore them, but it was already too late.

“Berkley, I’m surprised to see you here.”

Yeah, right. Because, what? She avoided humans? Okay, so she did. “Hi.” Oh, good going. So warm. So carefree. Berkley pinned on a smile. “It’s after-hours for the shelter, so I figured I’d grab some dinner.” It wasn’t easy, but she managed not to stare at the woman standing beside him. With any luck, the two of them would mosey on.

“Oh, you’re Berkley Carr,” the woman suddenly gushed and, uninvited, pulled out the chair across from her to join her table. She stuck out her hand. “It’s great to finally meet you in person.”

Um... Berkley took her hand. “Hello.” Was this another person from her past, someone she didn’t remember? The thought sent a river of ice through her veins.

Worse, what if Lawson had told her—

Since there were no other chairs, Lawson crouched down beside Berkley. “Let me do the introductions. Berkley, this is Lark Penny. She recently moved to Cemetery and she’s made it her mission to meet all the business owners and as many neighbors as she can.”

Lark squeezed her hand before releasing her. “Everyone talks about you and the newly built shelter you’re running. I’ve heard so many wonderful stories about The Love Shack, and your way with animals.”

Relief settled in, but the ice was slow to melt. “We can thank Betty for that. It was all her idea.”

“And she’s been the force behind it,” Lark said. “I know.” Then with a grin, she added, “She’s told me all about it.”

“You know Betty?”

“Of course. She was one of the first people I met.” Lark leaned in and added in a whisper, “She’s giving Oliver fits, but I have my money on Betty.”

“Oliver?” she asked. Did this woman already know everyone?

“He’s opening a fitness place and I guess he and Betty are conflicting on a few things. Oh! I just had a wonderful idea.”

Did this woman never slow down? All the while she spoke, Lawson remained there, near Berkley’s chair, crouched as if his strong thighs didn’t mind in the least.

Well, she minded. “Just a second.” Standing, she looked around, saw an empty seat and hurried over to it. When she started hauling it across the floor, Lawson caught on and took it from her.

“I’ve got it.”

“I figured if you’re both going to stay...”

“Thank you, Berkley. I’d love to join you.”

She hadn’t really invited him to do that, but neither did she mind.

Lark, having overheard him, laughed. “I could have given you my seat. I’m not staying. I just wanted to save Kathleen.”

“And me,” he said as he sat and pulled the chair closer until his knee bumped Berkley’s. He tilted toward her and confided, “I’m not a fan of the mannequin. This is twice now that Lark’s lent me a hand with the ridiculous thing.”

They all looked up then to see people fussing around the mannequin. She now wore a colorful T-shirt with a beach towel wrapped around her hips, and another around her head. Two women worked on her sodden wig, one holding it while another dried it. Through it all, Kathleen leaned against the bar, a drink at her elbow.

It was comical how the town treated the doll. Comical, and apparently disturbing to poor Lawson.

“Look at how she’s getting pampered.” When Lawson rolled his eyes, Lark aimed her smile at him. “You should have put one of your T-shirts on her. That would have been great marketing.”

He looked struck. “You’re right. Next time I’ll try to remember that.”

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