Page 111 of Bragg's Love

“I’m going to get my steps in today.”

“I think this pace counts as cardio.”

“We can skip yoga today.”

They’re not going to leave me alone until I’m at Eden’s house or back at the brewery. I can either give up and make my approach to Eden at a different time. Or, I can lead the gossip gals on a merry chase.

“I’ve got ten bucks on Miller outrunning the gossip gals,” Forest yells as I pass his pet store,Unleashed.

“I’ll take your money,” Sage returns.

She doesn’t sound out of breath despite the pace I’ve set. Since when are the gossip gals this fit?

“Yoga is great for staying fit.” Apparently, Clove can read minds in addition to preaching about the benefits of yoga.

“I’m here!” Cayenne joins the posse trailing behind me.

Great. Now all five of the gossip gals are here. I was worried one of them might miss out on this chase.

I abandon my idea of outrunning the gossip gals, but I haven’t given up. At three inches over six feet, I have something they don’t. I vault over the fence behind the courthouse. Long legs.

“He’s cheating!”

“Never mind. We know where he’s going.”

“We’ll meet him in front of Eden’s house.”

In front of Eden’s house? I don’t think so.

I creep through the backyard until I reach the side of the house. I glance around the area and notice the gossip gals making their way to Eden’s. Good. With them gone, I can sneak through backyards.

When I reach the house next to Eden’s, I realize my mistake. The gossip gals will notice me if I walk from the backyard next door to Eden’s. I scan the area for my options. These backyards abut the forest leading to the river.

I find the path through the forest from the neighbor’s house and walk a few feet into the woods until I’m camouflaged. Then, I slowly make my way to the wooded area behind Eden’s. I’m now directly behind her house. With the gossip gals directly in front, they won’t see me.

I inhale a breath before running from the tree line to her back porch. The door flies open before I make it there.

“About time you made it here.”

I smile. “You were waiting for me?”

She snorts. “No. But the whole town is betting on when you’d show up.”

“I made it.”

She looks me up and down and my body warms at her perusal. I debate crossing my arms over my chest and flexing my biceps for her but I don’t want to push her.

She scowls. “You better not have trampled my plants with your big feet.”

My chest deflates. She’s not studying my body. She’s worried about her precious plants.

“Can I come in?”

“You may.” I grin. “But I’m only letting you in because the gossip gals will figure out you’re back here soon enough and I don’t want anyone eavesdropping on our conversation.”

I guess two days is not enough time for Eden to forget her anger at me.

“Point taken.”

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