Page 42 of All You Need Is Love

Shannon lugged the trash bag back to the ramada, where Marshall was washing down the brown plastic picnic tables they’d used for the food buffet. “Once you’re done, I think we can go home. Thanks again for your help.”

She tried to keep her tone professional, but to her ears it sounded stiff, almost cold. Still, keeping him at arm’s length was the only way for her heart to stay intact.

“Of course.” And then he flashed her a tentative smile that spread slow and steady across his face, revealing those dimples that were her Kryptonite.

Her knees shook. From exhaustion.

Or not.

But at least, after today, she’d be too busy with Ben and Bella’s wedding festivities—the decorating and rehearsal dinner tomorrow, the wedding itself on Saturday—to spend much time around Marshall and Quinn. And the whole town would be at Sunday’s Fourth of July festival, which meant the possibility of being in direct contact with either of them was practically nil.

She just needed to survive the next few minutes alone with him, and Shannon Baker would be home free. Then she could go back to trying to brainstorm ways to get back in the foster care agency’s good graces. She’d already left a message begging for a chance at another interview, but had yet to hear anything back.

Once her head was clear and her heart full, she could focus on Noah—the most important male in her life.

“Well … goodnight.”

“Shannon.” The light from the tall lamps surrounding the edges of the park reflected the golden tones in Marshall’s eyes. “Do you have a minute to talk?” He looked so dejected standing there, a rag hanging limp in his hands, lips cocked into a semi-frown before she’d even uttered a reply.

She had to be honest, though. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”

Marshall set the rag on the table and stepped forward, snagging her free hand. Her other gripped the garbage bag, hanging on for dear life.

“Fine.” He paused. “If you won’t talk, will you run with me?”

“Run?”

He leaned forward and unclenched her fist from the bag. Then, his hand moved slowly toward her side and Marshall St. John poked her. “You’re it.”

“I’m sorry?” Shannon couldn’t help a tiny grin.

His fingers settled just above her right hip. “As in, tag, you’re it.” Then he tickled her, stealing her breath as involuntary laughter came swift and strong before he took off running toward the empty playground.

For several long moments, she stared at Marshall. Then, laughing on purpose this time, she stole after him, ditching her flip-flops, the cold grass squishing between her toes as she ran.

He climbed the rungs of a ladder and hopped onto a platform then raced across a bridge. Her breath coming quickly now, Shannon switched directions. When he saw her plans, he paused then fled back the way he’d come.

Oh no, he didn’t. The breeze slapped Shannon’s cheeks as she plopped down on the bridge and shimmied underneath the railing, landing in the soft sand before standing again and tearing after him.

Rounding the playground, she climbed a ladder and cut him off right near the tic-tac-toe board. “Gotcha!”

He didn’t stop but barreled right into Shannon, hugging her, both of them laughing as they caught their breath. His heartbeat thudded against her ear, and his shirt smelled like his cologne.

She should leave right now, before she did something she’d surely regret.

Instead, she glanced up at Marshall, and in a flirtatious tone she didn’t know she possessed, teased him. “See, small towns have their charms too. Where else could you have an entire park to yourself? Definitely not in New York City.”

But rather than the smile she’d expected, his features darkened. He released her and turned toward a tall orange slide that led back to the ground.

Problem was she didn’t want to go back to the ground. She wanted to stay right here, up in the clouds.

“Hey.” She touched his shoulder. “What’s wrong?”

It took a few moments, but eventually he faced her again. “Sorry.” Marshall sat on the platform, orange bars at his back, and she joined him. “You’re right. Small towns have some great benefits. But there’s also a darker side to them, one people don’t talk about.”

There was some serious hurt lingering in his eyes—hurt she longed to soothe. Reaching for his hand, she slipped hers inside. “I’m here if you want to talk about it.”

Now that they sat, her whole body shivered. She settled her toes just underneath Marshall’s legs, which stretched out in front of him. Then she leaned against him.

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