Page 44 of Between the Shady Groves
“He’s not. He’s got a buyer for his books already, and he’s shopping around for exercise equipment. He actually asked me if I would give him a hand putting something together tomorrow.”
“That’s nice,” she said, seeming surprised.
Maybe she didn’t realize that in the time he had spent outside putting the security system in, he and Matteo had developed a bit of a friendship.
He’d even asked Matteo for some tips on beginning a workout routine, and Matteo had offered to give him some one-on-one training.
He wasn’t going to tell Lauren about that, unless she specifically asked. It wasn’t that he was hiding it, it was just…he was a little embarrassed to admit that he even needed to. He wasn’t sure why. It just…was a subject he was kind of touchy about for some reason.
He pushed the door open, held it while she walked through, and allowed it to shut. He’d already engaged the alarm and felt satisfied and at peace that he was doing a good job of taking care of things.
Probably because he owned a security company, but it was extra important to him.
“It’s a beautiful day,” she said as they walked along the sidewalk toward Skyler and Homer’s house.
There were a bunch of kids playing in the yard, and Skyler and Homer sat on the front porch.
It looked so cozy and quaint, like a fun, all-American family and something he might have expected to see in the sixties.
That was one of the draws of Raspberry Ridge. It was just one of those small towns that didn’t seem to age.
He had mixed feelings about the rumors that they were going to have more tourists this year. On the one hand, it would be good for Lauren’s bakeshop, on the other, he wanted Raspberry Ridge to stay the way it was. Because it was pretty much perfect.
“It is. I can’t wait to see the beach you keep talking about.”
“I can’t believe we’ve been together for more than a decade and you’ve never been on the beach in my hometown.”
“We’ll remedy that today.”
“But first, banana bread for the neighbors.” She held it up. And then waved to Skyler. “Hey there!” she called.
“Lauren!” Skyler jumped up and hurried off the porch and to the sidewalk. “You look so happy. What a beautiful day for a walk.”
“Yeah. My husband’s never seen the beach, so I’m taking him to show it off a bit. But I wanted to deliver this to you. I appreciated your advice. It was spot on.”
Skyler smiled and slid a glance at Cannon. Cannon had the uneasy feeling that somehow her advice had pertained to him.
“Hey there,” Homer said, coming over and holding his hand out.
Cannon shook it. “It’s good to meet you. I’ve heard a good bit about you. I’m Cannon.”
“Yeah. I’ve heard a good bit about you as well. I know that my wife has invited you guys to the Bible study that we typically have here on the porch, but I understand that Lauren thinks it might interfere with her business opening. Still, you’re invited and welcome any time.”
“I’d really love to come. I’ve heard lots of good things about it. My neighbor, Matteo, has been there a couple of times, and as much as I’d love to attend, I’m afraid we probably can’t unless it gets moved to the shop.”
“I’m fine with moving it there, but I don’t want Lauren to have to provide food every time, because that’s not fair.”
“I know she wouldn’t mind, but it probably would be bad for the bottom line.”
“Yeah. That’s my thought.”
“Why don’t we do it on the porch in the summer and then move it to the shop in the winter? She still wouldn’t be required to provide food every time, but it would give us a sheltered place and maybe give her a little bit of extra business, if people bought coffee and whatnot from her then.”
“We could have a special discount, just for the Bible study people in the morning,” Lauren added.
“That sounds like a great idea,” Skyler said.
Homer put his arm around her, and she looked up into his eyes, and they smiled the smile of people who knew each other well and liked each other anyway.
