Page 54 of The Love Shack

While he ordered a large pizza and two side salads, she got out glasses, added ice and poured them each a cola. It occurred to her that she’d been around him enough now to know his preferences.

They sat at her little table, and Berkley wondered how to begin.

“It’s okay,” he said. “If I overstepped, you don’t need to—”

She shook her head. “No, you didn’t.” Now seemed like a good time to be truthful, so she admitted, “I’m glad you asked. I’m glad you’re here with me and that you, hopefully, don’t mind listening.”

“I asked because I’m interested.” His eyes, light brown and framed by darker lashes, were extra intent as they studied her. “I asked because I care.”

Oh, way to make her heart do another flip. That particular organ was getting quite the workout today. “Thank you.” With a small laugh, she shook her head. “I mean...” Better just to get it said. “Chad is looking for me.”

“Chad?” Doubt gave way to incredulity and he asked with a frown, “ChadDurkinson?”

See, he was as shocked as she was! “Yes, and I have no idea why. He called the shelter where I used to work and they told him I’d changed locations.”

Slowly, Lawson stiffened. “Did anyone—”

“No, thank God. The director said they didn’t give my new address, but Lawson, The Love Shack is on social media. We have a website. I’m listed as the director and my name hasn’t changed...” Saying it out loud made it all so real again, twisting her stomach into knots and making her pulse race. “He could do a search and find me—easily.”

Lawson reached out for her hand, and she gladly gave it. How amazing was it not to face this alone, to be able to share her worry with someone?

“First,” he said, “I need to know. Are you afraid of him?”

“Of him personally, no. Of having it all dredged back up, most definitely yes.” How to put it into words? “Being here, in Cemetery, has been amazing. I love my house. I really, really love the shelter. I’ve gotten close to Betty. Today I met with Oliver and we discussed the ways we can help both our businesses. Plus, he took a lot of interest in one of our new dogs. Yardley invited me to tea...” Everything had seemed so wonderful, yet now she was sick with dread.

“You’re worried that if Chad comes here, he’ll bring the past with him.”

“You know people will whisper. Some of them will think the worst.”

“Will Betty?” he asked—and the look in his eyes said he already knew the answer.

“No.” Berkley didn’t have any doubts on Betty’s part. “She’s like the grandmother I never had. She has my back.”

“And she has a great BS monitor, right? She’d peg Chad in an instant.”

“I’m sure you’re right.” Betty had incredible insight.

“Do you think Oliver will change his plans?”

Berkley shook her head. “I’m not worried about that.” No one who took such an immediate interest in a needy dog could be callous enough to bother with gossip.

“Lark?”

“She doesn’t strike me as the gossipy kind.” The woman was far too upbeat and happy. “Lark takes an interest in everyone, and she chats freely, but only in the best possible way.”

His last question came, soft but gruff. “Me?”

There was so much behind that single word, things that warmed her, that made her both tearful and happy. “No.” As she said it, Berkley accepted it, deep down to her soul. “You don’t think less of me for what happened.”

“Just the opposite. I’m damned proud of you. The world—or at least our small part of it—came at you in the most hateful, ugly way, but look at you. More beautiful than ever, inside and out.”

Her thoughts stuttered to a standstill. Beautiful?Her?Never in her life had she felt that way.

“Berkley,” he chided. “How can you not know that? Even if you weren’t so fine to look at—and you are, very fine—the amount of care you give would win over anyone. People are drawn to you.”

“They’re drawn to you,” she countered. She, with her private, reclusive ways, they probably considered standoffish.

“Are you drawn to me, Berkley?” he asked with a small, confident smile.

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