Page 65 of Summer Love

Blaire waved a hand. "Young people fall in and out of love so easily. Enjoy it while you're in the free fall."

I didn't like the idea of this being a temporary thing. When I looked at Hudson, he shrugged, then took a large bite of his sandwich.

Phyllis stopped by our table. "We're grateful you could come and work on the gardens."

Hudson finished chewing, then took a sip of his lemonade before answering. "We're happy to help with whatever you need."

"We'd love to add a gazebo in the front lawn. It would be such a nice addition. Guests could sit out there while the weather is nice."

"We can do that," Hudson said.

Phyllis grinned. "We'll put a plaque on it saying it was donated by Kingston Construction."

"I'll be in touch with pictures so you can pick the one you'd like."

"Thank you so much." Phyllis drifted away to talk to other guests.

"Do you usually do so much volunteer work?" I wondered if the Kingston generosity was being taken advantage of.

"We always do a few projects for the center every year."

Grams leaned forward. "I have to say we appreciate all you do around here."

I shook my head, knowing Grams was referring to the fact that they enjoyed watching them work. "You're incorrigible."

Grams's eyes widened in mock shock. "Whatever are you talking about? I was just saying how much we appreciated their hard work."

Hudson continued as if Grams hadn't insinuated anything. "We plan various community projects in the area, and the center is always on our list. Phyllis has always been so appreciative of our contributions, and we're happy to help."

"But don't you lose money doing so many things like this for free?" I asked him.

"It's a tax write-off, and it's something we enjoy doing. We want to give back to the community."

"That's wonderful," I said.

"We'll be seeing a lot of you around here if you're making the gazebo," Grams said.

"I might put Dalton and Brady in charge since they couldn't be here today to do the flower boxes."

Grams frowned. "Oh? What are they up to today?"

Hudson shifted in his chair. "Dalton has a personal issue he's dealing with."

"I heard that his girlfriend was pregnant," Blaire said matter-of-factly. When everyone looked at her, she said, "What? She's best friends with my granddaughter. I hear things."

"I don't think Dalton wanted it to be public yet," Hudson said carefully.

I wondered if this was a planned thing. From the hushed quality of Blaire's voice and Hudson's discomfort, I didn't think so. I touched his thigh under the table, sensing his inner turmoil. He was worried about his brother.

"Babies are a miracle," Mable said.

"I love babies," Blaire added. "But young people worry so much about how their lives will change when they have one."

"Yeah, they should relax and enjoy them," Grams added.

"I guess we can't talk. We can hand them back when they're crying." Blaire cackled.

"Are you excited about being an uncle?" Grams asked Hudson.

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