Page 9 of All Because I Found You

“Aye. She sang?” Gene laughed louder. “The lass sounds like a chancer.”

Ryder groaned at Gene’s amusement.

“She’s a bonnie lass, too, then?”

“Why would you say that?” Ryder asked, not aware that he mentioned anything about Raelyn’s looks.

“All goes back to the smile. So dae tell.”

“Yes, the woman was beautiful. These dark brown eyes were warm and inviting and this even darker hair. And her personality. I mean, she was annoying as all hell, don’t get me wrong, but there was something endearing about it. Like she knew she was being annoying, but she didn’t care. She was so determined and driven. I almost admire her for it. She sat out here in the heat for hours, no food, no bathroom breaks, and just endured for something she wanted.”

“Sounds like ye are a bit taken.”

“Definitely not. I spent one day not even with her, and I’m exhausted. Taken with her?” Ryder scoffed. “Never going to happen.”

“Aye. Famous last words.”

Chapter 4

Raelyn hit call on her best friend, Cindy’s number, and transferred the call to Bluetooth. Cindy, a very successful influencer, had moved out of Morgan’s Bay a few years ago and was already married and doing the mom thing. While Cindy’s family still lived in town and Raelyn was friends with her little sister Olivia and her group of friends, Cindy had been happy to move closer to the city where the houses were closer together, yet the sense of community was not. She loved that she could walk down the street and not know the life story of every person she encountered, unlike Raelyn, who loved that about Morgan’s Bay.

“Hiee,” Jolie’s sweet voice came through the phone.

“Hi Juju. Where’s your mommy?”

“Taking pictures.”

“Taking pictures?” Raelyn filled her voice with overexcitement. “What kind of pictures?”

“Of food.”

Raelyn laughed. That sounded about right. As an influencer, Cindy gained her following by posting pictures of her picture perfect life, including her beautifully decorated house, mouthwatering healthy recipes, and adorable pictures of the family in matching outfits.

“Did you get to eat the food?”

“No. It’s for picture only.”

Raelyn’s eyebrow lifted. “Huh.”

“Juju, who are you talking to?” Cindy asked in the background, and Raelyn laughed.

“Hello?” Cindy said loud and clear into the speaker.

“Hi Cind. Bad time?” Raelyn asked.

“No, not at all. Sorry about that. I didn’t even hear the phone ring.”

“No worries. I love chatting with Juju. She said you’re taking pictures of food.”

“I have a new recipe for a zucchini lasagna going up on my blog today, and the pictures I have aren’t doing it justice.”

“Don’t tell me you remade a zucchini lasagna so you can take more pictures?”

“Then I won’t. What’s up?”

“Your dedication never stops short of impressing me.” Raelyn assumed it was why they got along so well. They were both go getters and willing to do whatever needed to be done to get what they wanted.

“Right back at ya.”

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