Page 3 of All You Need Is Love

Sudden laughter burst from her throat. “Um, no.” What would this guy say if he knew Shannon had never been on a date, much less had a boyfriend?

In the distance, seagulls swooped into the water, hunting for a late breakfast.

She pointed at Noah. “Besides my dad, brother, and a passel of cousins and uncles, that is the only man in my life.”

As if sensing Shannon’s attention, the kid looked up and waved with a smile. Shannon smiled back. Yes, they were going to be okay, despite it taking longer than she’d like to get approved as a foster mom.

Once Florence moved, even if the foster care approval process was still ongoing, Shannon could petition for Noah to be placed with her on an emergency basis so he could stay with someone he knew and trusted. But getting that placement wasn’t a given. Of course, she’d already connected with Noah’s social worker Miranda Shubert on several occasions. Now, she just had to wait for the foster care agency—which was located one town over—to schedule her interview and get the ball officially rolling.

Basically, the whole thing was a hurry-up-and-wait situation.

Marshall squinted at Noah. “I mean, he’s a little short, but I can see his appeal.”

Shannon couldn’t help but giggle. Oy, she must sound like a schoolgirl to this sophisticated guy, not a twenty-seven-year-old woman.

Marshall studied her for a beat before looking away and clearing his throat. “Hey, do you mind if I play a round of catch with Noah before you go?”

Really? He wasn’t anxious to escape? “No, I don’t mind.”

“Great.” He jogged toward Noah, holding up a hand and shouting something the wind carried away.

Moving back toward the rock where apparently Marshall had sat not twenty minutes ago, Shannon hunkered down to watch as Marshall and Noah tossed the football back and forth along the stretch of beach tucked away from the rest of the town. Lucky bounded between them, following the trajectory of the ball in an attempt to retrieve it.

A strange sensation slowly worked its way through Shannon’s veins as she looked on. Something about the scene in front of her called, beckoned—demanded she stop sitting on the sidelines. Standing, Shannon brushed off the sand clinging to the backs of her legs and walked toward the guys.

Noah cheered as she approached Marshall. He lobbed the ball her way and she grimaced, squeezing her eyes shut as she held out her hands in an attempt to catch it. It gave a telltale thwack as it hit the ground.

“You know, it’s a lot easier to catch when you can actually see it coming.” Marshall leaned down to pick up the ball and slipped it into her fingers.

“You’d think I’d know that by now. My brother used to play football.” She turned and lobbed the ball toward Noah—or attempted to, anyway. It fell pathetically short, giving Lucky the chance he’d been looking for to swoop in and steal it. He took off running toward the rocks, Noah shouting and hot on his trail. “Well, it’s official. I’m going to be the worst boy mom ever.”

“No way. I don’t even know your name and I can tell you’re going to be an amazing mother.”

His declaration stole her breath.

It was dumb to be so affected by the confidence in a total stranger’s tone, but still it meant something to her. Not even her parents had seemed so sure of her decision to adopt when she’d informed them about it a little over a week ago.

She hugged her waist. “Shannon.” The word came out a whisper.

Marshall cocked his head, moved closer. “What?”

She tilted her chin upward—he had to be nearing six feet tall to her five-five—licked her lips, and tried again. “My name is Shannon.”

“That’s a beautiful name for a beautiful woman.”

She blinked, stepped back, shook herself from the trance. Because guys just didn’t say things like that.

Well, they said them to her sister Quinn all the time.

But not to Shannon.

Clearly he was just an outrageous flirt.

His eyebrows scrunched together and he massaged the back of his neck. “Sorry, I really never say things like that. But today, I’m … not quite myself.”

Oh.

Before Shannon could respond, Noah bounded back over, huffing, while a dejected Lucky followed. “Miss Shannon, can we try throwing again?”

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