The Love Shack

Chapter 10

Oliver glanced atthe mother cat, smiled at seeing how she slicked the fur on top of one tiny kitten’s head and then he turned back to Lark. He could see she’d been crying. Ridiculous as it seemed, her tears took him back to his father’s funeral with his mother quietly weeping, his brother withdrawn, his sister-in-law red-eyed and stone-faced.

He’d failed them. He’d failed his brother most of all. Uncomfortable with the memory, he asked Lark, “What’s wrong?”

Confusion tweaked her brows, but she smiled anyway. “Nothing now. A sad memory had hit me, that’s all. It happens now and then.”

Good God. Her explanation was exactly what had happened to him. Shaking his head, he said, “I’m sorry. I...” He rubbed a hand over his mouth and deliberately lightened his tone. “You’re okay now?”

“Yes.”

He should ask her if she needed to talk, but he couldn’t quite make himself say it. “I’m going to walk Handsome. If you’re not busy, do you want to join me?”

Tipping her head, she asked, “Handsome?”

“A sweet dog that was brought here. He needs extra love and a gentle hand. I can’t adopt a dog right now, but I figured I could do other things for him, so I—”

The way Lark suddenly embraced him took him off guard. Slim arms fit around his waist and she squeezed him tight, her cheek against his chest, her soft hair teasing his chin, her scent enveloping him.

Hands on her shoulders, Oliver tried—and failed—to decide what to do.

“That’s wonderful. You’re wonderful.” Smiling up at him, she said, “I’d be thrilled to join you on your walk. Thank you for inviting me.”

He wasn’t sure, but Oliver thought he might have just set himself on a course of no return. Sure felt like it. He cupped a hand to Lark’s cheek, relishing the softness of her skin and how right her small body felt against his. His gaze was drawn to her mouth, and he saw her lips part.

He leaned down, she stretched up, and—Berkley and Betty came into the room, each of them carrying a cat.

Pretending she hadn’t noticed them quickly stepping away, Berkley said, “The cats had fun. Thank you for this.”

“And two people asked about adoption.”

Whispering, Lark asked, “Should we offer to help put the cats away?”

“We should,” he whispered back, and then on impulse, he touched his mouth to hers in a quick, light kiss.

Betty remarked, “Darn it, I wasn’t ready or I’d have gotten a photo of that.”

Thank God she hadn’t, Oliver thought as he stepped out of the separate kitten room to join them.

Right behind him, Lark laughed. “Whatever release I signed didn’t include anything other than the class.”

Her humor was preferable to seeing her upset any day.

As he secured the door behind them, Lark, Berkley and Betty went after more cats. He took a moment to look in at the mother cat again. She appeared very peaceful with the little fur balls tucked up to her side. He watched her yawn, rest her head on the bedding and close her big green eyes.

This shelter, and Berkley especially, was responsible for so much love. This was what he needed in his life. The signs of positive action. The ability to make a difference, to see it happening and to take part.

“Hey,” Lark said. “Get the gate for me, will you?”

He turned to see her with two cats in her arms, both of them purring. Soft, loose pants fell around nicely rounded hips. And her shirt advertised his business.

Damn, but she hit him on several levels. He hadn’t stood a chance, he realized that now.

Stepping over to assist her, he saw how easily Lark fit in here. With the town, the people, the close community and the overall sentiment. He had a feeling she’d fit in anywhere. Why had she been crying?

He might have messed up before, but he wouldn’t make the same mistake. Not here. Not now.

Everything in his life came down to priorities, and this time, he’d make the right choices.

His new business was a priority, but it wouldn’t be number one.

That would be the people. Starting right now.

Possibly...starting with Lark.

It was an unusual occurrence for a guy to pick her up, so no wonder she kept looking out the window. Hero insisted on looking with her each time, though the dog didn’t know Lawson was coming by. Berkley had wanted to meet him at the restaurant, but he’d insisted this was an official date, and as such, he wanted the whole shebang.

Berkley wondered what the full boat entailed. Hopefully everything she imagined and more.

Over the last few days, he’d stopped in several times for visits, and now Hero and Cheese considered him part of the family. Sometimes Lawson deliberately brought along things that Cheese could steal. A soft key-chain fob. A foam can Koozie. Lanyards. Once he brought a visor, and they later found Cheese curled up inside it, her fluffy body contorted to fit.

Each time they saw Lawson, they welcomed him with enthusiasm, but Hero no longer went bonkers with glee, and Cheese, after a brief greeting and a little thievery, left to do her own thing. They were used to him, and his visits.

While she impatiently waited, she wondered how Oliver and Lark were getting along. After the yoga class, they’d shown up together a few times to walk Handsome. Thanks to all the love and attention the dog received, he was making great progress. His dental work was tentatively set for two weeks from now with Dr. Upton. Once that was done and the dog had recovered, he’d be available for adoption.

One of the good things about running the shelter was that Berkley could make the final decisions, and she had a feeling Handsome had already found his forever person. Oliver just didn’t realize it yet.

Sunday the salon was closed, so Lark would be coming over to do her hair. Berkley was both excited and nervous about the idea of changing it. She’d donned the pink tips years ago as a way to camouflage herself, a type of statement that the old Berkley—the doormat, the pariah, the dog-faced girl who’d stolen a married man from a princess—was gone for good. All hail the new Berkley.

Except...she hadn’t been new. She’d been the same old downtrodden, fearful person—with different hair. Big whoop. So much for her bold change.

This time she’d do things right. An outward change would be a good start, even fun, but it was the inside she had to work out. A less fatalistic attitude, an openness to friendship, a willingness to take part.

Animals had been her lifeline; now she needed to include people. A makeover with Lark was top of the list.

When she heard a car pulling up, nervousness and excitement gripped her. She smoothed her hair, tugged up the neckline of her sleeveless sundress, stared down in dismay at her unpainted toenails in her casual flip-flops, and had the wild urge to run to her bedroom and change. Everything.

Hero, who’d jumped at the closing of a car door, barked happily. He wanted the door open now.

Too late to change her mind about her outfit. With a bracing breath, she caught Hero’s collar, pasted a smile on her face and opened the door.

Betty stood there.

Before Berkley could say a word, the older woman announced, “I’ve come to get Gladys. I’m ready. Completely ready and totally committed and I want her. You can’t refuse me, Berkley. You just can’t.” She ended with her wobbling chin held high and defiance in her eyes.

It all struck Berkley as hilarious as she started to laugh.

“Humph,” Betty said indignantly.

“Oh, Betty.” Berkley awkwardly embraced her with one arm while still controlling Hero. “I’m sorry I laughed. You just took me by surprise. And of course I wouldn’t refuse you! You’re perfect.”

Betty now tucked in her chin. “I’m not.”

“You are. In every single way.”

“There are quite a few people in this town who would strongly disagree with you.”

“So?” Berkley said, drawing her inside and closing the door. “Who cares? I think you’re perfect.” When Hero snuffled against Betty and received a friendly pat, Berkley added, “Hero agrees that you’re perfect. Best of all, Gladys, who has the most important opinion in this scenario, loves you so much. If you want her, and if you’re sure you can handle it, I’d be happy to process the adoption.”

Until Betty’s face lit up, Berkley hadn’t realized there’d been any doubt on the matter, and now she felt terrible. She and Hero both lavished the woman with affection. Even Cheese sauntered in, brushing Betty’s legs once to let her know she approved, as well.

Hands clasped tightly together, Betty asked, “Could I take her now?”

Oh, boy. Erin and Whitley had already left for the day, and Lawson was due any second now—but Berkley couldn’t disappoint Betty. “Of course you can. We just need to fill out the paperwork.”

“Already done,” Betty said, opening her small white purse and digging inside to produce a folded sheet of paper. “I got this from Erin a few days ago, and yesterday I went shopping. I have a big cushy dog bed for my Gladys, piddle papers randomly placed around, dog brush, two dishes, the food Erin said she prefers and—”

Another knock sounded at the door, and Hero abandoned Betty so he could bark and turn a few circles in glee.

“That’ll be Lawson,” Berkley whispered. “We have a date.” She bobbed her eyebrows.

Betty blinked at her. “You do?” In a rush, she said, “Well, for heaven’s sake. Of course you do. Look at you! You look incredible, all fixed up and...” She leaned in with a sniff. “Young lady, is that perfume?”

“Cherry blossom body mist. Do you like it?”

“Yes, I do. Lawson will love it.” Turning away in a flurry, Betty said, “Let’s not keep him waiting.”

Berkley caught Hero’s collar again as Betty opened the door.

To his credit, Lawson barely missed a beat at finding Betty instead of Berkley, even when she said, “And look at you, all handsome and—” again she leaned in to sniff “—also smelling good.”

Lawson grinned at her. “I’m not wearing cologne.”

“Mmm. Apparently, you don’t need to.”

Seeing Betty with her nose near Lawson’s chest sent Berkley into snickers of hilarity. There were times when Betty could be so outrageous, and it seemed to be happening more as time went by.

As Lawson stepped in, he dipped his appreciative gaze over Berkley and whistled. “Nice.”

She felt like doing a curtsy or something, and instead she shifted her feet. “I felt like wearing a dress.”

“Good choice.”

Betty’s gaze bounced back and forth between them. “I have rotten timing, clearly.”

“Oh.” With Lawson looking at her like that, she’d almost forgotten herself. “No, your timing is never off. We can get Gladys right now.” Quickly, she explained the situation to Lawson.

Pleased with Betty’s decision, he jumped right in, offering his help. “I can go with you, Berkley, while you get Gladys, or I can visit with Hero and Cheese a few minutes so they don’t feel left out. Your pick.”

For once, Betty appeared humbled. “Seriously, you don’t mind?”

“It’s only six-thirty and Berkley isn’t a teenager. She can stay out late, so a half-hour delay isn’t a big deal, especially when it means Gladys gets a forever home.”

“I’ll be eighty-eight soon,” Betty pointed out. “Not sure how long forever will be, but—”

“No, don’t say that,” Berkley protested, her chest going tight. “You have years and years yet.” Both Betty and Lawson watched her, and she realized she’d almost shouted. Forcing her lips into a smile, she added, “You were just sniffing Lawson. Obviously you have a lot of life in you yet.”

That got the response she wanted, with Lawson grinning and Betty laughing.

“Both of you wait here. The less confusion, the better, because the dogs are already settled in. I’ll only be a minute.” Grabbing up her keys, she slipped out the door. At the shelter, she entered as quietly as possible. She wrote out an adoption slip with a note and left it on the desk for Erin in case she forgot to tell her right away.

Gladys was sound asleep when Berkley silently opened her individual kennel, but the dog jerked awake with a start when Berkley whispered her name. Poor thing. It was rare for them to be disturbed once they’d been put to bed, and Gladys gave a cautious woof, her ears flat and her belly to the floor. The second she recognized Berkley, she jiggled with relief but still seemed really confused.

The dog had been using the same bed since she arrived, so Berkley scooped it up, along with a couple of Gladys’s toys, as she led the dog out on a leash. In her mind, she was already listing all the suggestions she routinely gave to new dog owners. She trusted Betty completely, and she knew Gladys would be far better off in a real home than at the shelter, but that didn’t seem to matter. In Berkley’s heart, Gladys had become her own, and Berkley felt wholly responsible for her well-being.

A few of the dogs barked as she and Gladys went by, and it broke her heart anew. They all deserved forever homes, damn it. If she had to see one more designer dog, or another TV show on breeders, she’d scream. There were enough dogs in the world. They only needed to be seen.

Thank God this dog had found her person. And what a person she was.

Berkley whispered sweet words to the animals as she passed them, and she vowed never to do this again. It wasn’t fair to them. To her heart, it felt like every dog was watching, and wishing they were the special one.

Gladys still seemed confused as Berkley reset the security system, left the shelter and locked the doors. Then the dog spotted Betty’s car, and her ears shot up. Betty and Lawson were at the back door waiting, but Betty stepped out and suddenly Gladys was jumping around in joy. She and Betty met halfway to the house, and they were both ecstatic.

Despite the makeup Berkley had so carefully applied, she felt tears gathering. Happy tears, of course. She laughed as she brushed them away. “Gee, I think you two were meant to be.”

“Yes, we were,” Betty said in a teasing voice to the dog. Gladys licked her face in agreement. “I’m taking you home, Gladys. We belong to each other now.”

Berkley pressed a hand to her mouth.

Lawson, bless his heart, took over for her. With a kiss to her forehead, he said, “Let me help while you say your goodbyes.” She nodded agreement, so he relieved her of Gladys’s things and put them into Betty’s car. Then he ensured Cheese was in the house, took Hero out one more time to use the bathroom and grabbed her purse for her. After he secured the house, he returned to help Betty and Gladys into the car.

To Berkley, he asked, “Would you like to follow Betty home to ensure she gets everything inside?”

God love the man, could he be any better? “Great idea.” He was a great idea. “You’re sure you don’t mind?”

After pressing a kiss to her forehead once more, he whispered, “I think you need that, right?”

Drawing in a shaky breath, she nodded. Having someone know her so well was unsettling, but in a good way. As if, after all these years, she was finally being seen.

Their date had definitely gone awry. By the time they’d finished getting Gladys settled, it was much later than they’d anticipated.

Lawson held her hand as he drove to Saul’s restaurant, his thumb constantly coasting over her knuckles.

Watching his profile, she said, “I’m okay, you know.”

The corner of his mouth lifted. “You’re far better than okay, lady.”

Even though she wasn’t sure what that meant, she found herself smiling, too. “I’m thrilled that Gladys has a forever home. Betty will be so good to her.”

“And Gladys will be good for Betty—but you’ll still miss her.”

“Yes.” She missed every animal that found a home.

“And worry about her.”

“Yes, only because, as Betty said, she’s getting older. Gladys has gotten used to our routine.” To people coming and going throughout the day, to other dogs and cats, with regulated feeding times and—

“I bet she’ll adapt quickly.”

“She will.” Berkley knew that. “I’m being silly.”

“No, you’re not. You give your whole heart to these animals. Letting go isn’t easy. I get it. So does Betty. That’s why she told you to feel free to check up on Gladys whenever you want, but she also promised to bring her with her whenever she visits.”

Turning her hand over, Berkley gripped his fingers. “Saul’s will be closing soon.”

“I know.” He pulled into the parking lot, which had already emptied out significantly.

“I wouldn’t mind ordering takeout. We could eat it on the beach.”

Lawson turned his head to look at her. “That sounds great.”

Berkley felt the reverberation of her heart beating, as it drummed harder than usual. It wasn’t nervousness. More like...sizzling anticipation. “Or,” she said, “we could eat at your house.”

His gaze locked on hers.

She couldn’t tell what he was thinking, so she launched into explanations. “I haven’t seen it lately and you’ve been doing a lot of work, so—”

“Let’s do that.” He opened his truck door and jogged around to her side. The second he had her door open, he said, “Let’s grab food and head to my place.”

Now that he seemed in a hurry to get things underway, she grinned. “Looks like we’re as adaptable as Gladys.”

With a firm kiss, he stole her humor. “Don’t compare me to a geriatric dog, Berkley.”

And...that brought the humor right back.

Lawson grinned with her. “Tease. Come on.”

As packed as it had been last time she was here, tonight there were available tables. Still busy as customers lingered over their dessert or just chatted, but not wall-to-wall and chaotic.

Across the room, Lark waved to them. She sat at a table with Oliver, and like many of the guests, their food dishes had already been taken away.

Lawson asked, “Want me to order while you visit?”

It almost felt like a verbal nudge—but she accepted. “Sure. I’ll take whatever you get, but I wouldn’t mind something simple, like a sandwich?”

“They have a terrific turkey club. Want to share fries?”

“I do,” she teased, then caught what she’d said. “I mean—”

“Milkshake or cola?”

“Mmm. Vanilla shake.”

“You’ve got it. I’ll only be a minute.”

Right there in front of God and everyone in the restaurant, he put one hand behind her neck, bent down and kissed her. She was still blinking when he strode away to the bar to put in their order.

Feeling pretty awesome about her life, she glanced at Lark again and got double thumbs-up. Oliver was smiling, too. Moseying toward them, Berkley smiled at this person, and that person, and discovered she knew more people than she’d realized.

When she reached Lark, she said, “Hey, you two.”

Oliver stood. “Do you and Lawson want to join us?”

“Actually, we’re just getting food to go.” She quickly explained about Betty adopting Gladys. “I’m thrilled, but it put us a little behind on our official first date.”

Lark said to Oliver, “Berkley starts work early, well before six, every single day.”

“No days off?” Oliver asked.

She shook her head. “I don’t mind. It works for me.”

“Impressive. I used to be that way, but I have a feeling we were driven by different things. Me, I just wanted to get ahead, to make my practice the best.”

Unsure what he meant by that, Berkley asked, “The fitness studio?”

He shook his head. “I was a physical therapist. Most of my clients were well-known athletes.”

“Wow.” Berkley noticed that Lark looked equally surprised. “You gave that up?”

“To come here.” His gaze skimmed the restaurant as if he saw things other than everyday people, before it returned to Berkley and then shifted to Lark. “To start over.”

Nodding, Lark said quietly, “I’m also starting over.”

Berkley felt like an interloper. These two obviously had things to discuss. She was about to excuse herself when Lawson stepped up to the table. “Food will be ready in a few minutes.”

“Wait with us,” Lark insisted, pushing out the chair beside her.

Oliver seemed in agreement, and Berkley figured a few minutes more wouldn’t hurt. Before she could offer up any topics for conversation, Mila, one of the servers who also helped manage the restaurant, came over to them.

Berkley had only met her once, but Mila had been all smiles then. Now she wore a concerned frown.

“Hey, Berkley, right?”

“Yes. We met once before when I stopped in.”

Mila nodded. “So...earlier today, someone called asking about you.”

Everything inside her went still—her lungs, her pulse, even her heartbeat. It was Lawson’s hand on her back, rubbing between her shoulders, that got her breathing again. She choked out “Oh?” even while thinking that it made no sense for Chad to hunt her down now.

Oliver asked, “Someone looking to adopt an animal?”

“I don’t think so.” Mila dug in an apron pocket, sifted through a few pieces of paper and finally handed one to Berkley. “Wheeler took the call. It was a guy, asking if you lived around here. Wheeler’s a sharp guy, so of course he didn’t say that everyone in Cemetery knows you, or of you.” Her shoulders lifted. “The Love Shack is a huge hit, you know?”

Lark asked, “So what did Wheeler tell him?”

“He got his name and number and said he’d ask around. Not that he will,” she assured Berkley. “But Wheeler figured he could at least find out who was looking for you. He got a bad vibe off the guy.” She nodded at the paper now crumpled in Berkley’s hand. “That’s your caller’s info.”

Twisting her lips into a smile, Berkley looked at the paper. Sure enough, it had Chad’s name and a number. “Thanks, Mila.” She shoved the note into her purse. “Will you thank Wheeler for me, too?”

“Sure.” She hesitated. “No one here would give out personal info, but Cemetery has a lot of businesses, and if that dude starts calling around...”

“It’s fine.” It would be. Somehow Berkley would see to it. “I’m listed with the shelter, so he’s bound to locate me sooner or later.”

“Trouble?” Oliver asked, his expression so dark that Berkley did a double take.

“Nothing I can’t handle.” That became truer by the day. “He’s a creep I knew years ago. I haven’t heard from him in nearly a decade.”

Still Mila hesitated. “If you need anything, let us know.”

“Us?”

Her smile went crooked. “The town? Anyone here?” Giving a pat to Berkley’s shoulder, she said, “We’ve got you, okay? Cemetery takes care of its own.”

With those profound words, Mila got back to work.

Undone by the generous statement, Berkley sat there in awe. I am part of this town now. Guess that came with some perks.

Unconvinced, Oliver sat forward. “Would you like me to have a word with him?”

The offer took Berkley off guard.

“You don’t think I’ve offered?” Lawson asked.

“I didn’t think about it. Just gut reaction, I guess.”

That made Lark snicker. “Rushing in to save the damsel in distress. You’re both so sweet.”

“Not save,” Lawson corrected. “Offer backup.”

“And options,” Oliver added.

Lawson faced Berkley. “Stand with you.”

Oliver nodded. “Or in front of you, if it was necessary.”

Laughing even more, Lark leaned into Oliver, hugging his upper arm and batting her eyelashes. “Will you be my hero, too?”

He blinked at that. “Of course.”

That even got Berkley laughing.

Lawson was not amused. “Go play caveman with Lark. If Berkley needs anything, I’ll be her caveman.”

All eyes turned to her, making Berkley grin.

“You’re not insulted?” Oliver asked. “Because I didn’t mean it that way.”

“He’s just an old-fashioned guy,” Lark said, sighing as if she liked it.

Shaking her head, Berkley followed Lark’s lead and leaned into Lawson. “Honestly, it feels amazing to have friends.” She glanced around the table at each of them. “Thank you.”

Dinner on the beach turned out to be a better idea. Lawson was feeling so damned territorial, which was unheard-of from him, that if he got her alone right now, he’d probably end up rushing things. Plus, Berkley was shaken. He saw it whether she admitted it or not. The fresh air, he hoped, would help her to relax.

“The sunset is amazing.”

He’d been so lost in thought, her small hand in his as they walked along, that he hadn’t noticed. “Pretty.”

“I like how the orange sunlight reflects on the water, except closest to shore where it looks deep blue. It’s like a painting.”

He couldn’t talk about the sky when he had other things on his mind. “I don’t want you worrying about Chad.”

“I’m not, or at least, not as much as I had been.”

“What Oliver said...”

“I’m curious about his backstory now. What do you want to bet he’s an older brother or something like that? He seems really protective.”

Unable to bear it, Lawson stopped. He set down the bag of food he carried and turned Berkley to face him. “I’m protective, at least when it comes to you.” Kissing felt like the right move, but even if it hadn’t, he needed to taste her again.

With them out on the beach, even though they weren’t near others on the shoreline, he was careful not to take it too far. Cupping her face in his hands, he fit his mouth gently to hers, slow and easy, and still his heart kicked against his ribs. He wanted her, but what she wanted mattered the most. “If you need anything—”

“What I need, you’re already giving me.” Here, with the setting sun behind her, her blue eyes looked dark, but not in any way distressed. “Not to put you on the spot, but around you I feel like a different person. A better person.”

He kissed her again, because damn it, she’d always been a good person. That business with Durkinson hadn’t changed anything. “Listen to me, Berkley. I remember that girl from years ago.” Sunlight in her colored hair drew his fingers, so he stroked his hand over her head, then cupped the back of her neck. “She was shy and quiet, but good-hearted. Loyal to her ailing mother and a little aging dog. Kind despite the violence all around us. You’re still you, just a little older and more mature, and even more beautiful.”

Her self-conscious smile made him want to hold her close, but instead he picked up the food, careful not to spill their drinks, and took her hand again. As they walked on, he said, “I’m glad you had your mom as long as you did. I think she must have been a really terrific person, for you to be who you are now.”

“We were really close.” After a minute, Berkley asked, “What about your mom? What kind of person was she?”

The kind he didn’t want to talk about.

But that wasn’t fair to Berkley. Multiple times now, she’d opened up to share about her past. Each time he’d known it was difficult for her, yet she’d done it. She’d taken those strides, so how could he do any less? Sure, he’d hinted a few times—all in an effort to get her to talk. He could easily discuss the past in the abstract, as a thing that had happened but was no more. But discussing the day-to-day grind of it... That was what it had been for him. A grind. A struggle to survive. He’d managed in the only way he knew how: by separating himself from it, physically when possible, emotionally all the time.

Overall, it had worked, and at the same time, it had left him feeling completely alone in the world.

While he weighed how much to share, they chose a quiet spot on the beach, away from the waves but with the sunset still in view. He spread out the jacket he’d brought from his truck. “That should protect your dress from the sand.” His jeans would be fine either way.

“Thanks. It’s been so long since I wore a dress, I hadn’t considered that.”

“I’m glad you did.” She looked amazing. His only problem was that he couldn’t stop thinking about getting his hands under the dress. Shoving his fingers through his hair, he looked out at the lake and said gruffly, “You have gorgeous legs.”

Making light of the compliment, she replied, “They’re strong, and they get me where I’m going.”

The second she’d finished arranging herself, kicking her sandals off her small feet and crossing her legs at the ankles, he dropped down beside her. He dug out their drinks and handed one to her with a straw. “These will melt soon.”

“I don’t mind.” Relaxed and smiling, she said, “I’m enjoying this enough that even a melted shake will be good.”

Yeah, he felt the same—because he was here with her. He started to get out the sandwiches, but hesitated. He set the bag aside, glanced at her, then turned toward her and leaned back on one elbow. “My mother was a train wreck.”

Berkley shifted to face him, saying nothing.

“A drunk. An addict. Sometimes worse.” Scooping sand into his hand, he considered his words. As he let it pour through his fingers, he added, “Both of my parents worked with a gang and different dealers. Nothing huge—mostly because they weren’t trustworthy. They’d do little jobs. Hide the product. Deliver it. It became this huge fight between us because I wouldn’t do the same.”

Berkley’s lips parted, then firmed. “They actually wanted you to—”

“First time they asked, I was fifteen.”

“I can’t imagine,” she whispered.

No, most people couldn’t, thank God. “When I refused, they accused me of not helping out.” They hadn’t given him money for lunch, and had refused to let him pack anything. Pressure tactics. “There were times...” Christ, he hated talking about this, only because it made him feel like that person he was back then. Still a boy on the threshold of being a man. Determined to be better than the examples he had. Desperately wishing he had a mom and a dad, instead of adversaries.

“I always felt like I was up against the world.”

Berkley stretched out next to him in much the same position. On her, in a dress, it was a sight to see.

She kept her voice soft when she said, “I’d had no idea. From the outside looking in, you seemed to have it together, like you were above it all.”

He touched her warm cheek, breathed in the fresh, sweet scent of her. “I worked wherever I could, but I couldn’t save my money at home. Mom or Dad would have found it. They trashed my room regularly looking for money. I couldn’t get a bank account without one of them signing on, not until I was eighteen, so I used to put the money in cans I got out of the garbage, and I’d bury it down by the river.”

“Resourceful.”

He half smiled. “A cop busted me once. He was a big guy, probably in his midfifties, out of shape and wheezing with every step. He thought I was doing something shady and was barking so many questions at me, I started feeling guilty, like I was burying a body or something.”

Humor teased her lips. “Is that what he thought?”

“Not sure. When I showed him my pay stub, proving the cash was mine, he sat down on this fallen tree and started asking me questions. Where I worked, why I didn’t get paid with a check, stuff like that.” Lawson rubbed his ear. He’d never shared any of this before. Not with anyone. “I wasn’t trying to rat out my parents, but I also didn’t want to get arrested.”

“I hope that didn’t happen.”

“No. He was a cool guy. Gave me a card and told me if things got too rough, to give him a call. He swore there were places that could help, but you know how that goes.”

“I’m sorry, I don’t.”

Lawson gave a gruff laugh. Thank God she didn’t know. Somehow, even while wasting away, her mother had managed to shield her. “Half the kids in our neighborhood were homeless, fostered or mistreated. The system is great when it works, but a lot of the time it doesn’t.”

Berkley surprised him with a hug. She simply put her arms around him, paying no attention to her dress, and squeezed him hard.

He started to tell her he was fine, but instead, he lowered to his back and returned the embrace.

On the beach, he reminded himself. Definitely not alone. Even now, he could hear distant voices. Still, it felt special, because he knew it wasn’t a show of pity, but understanding, the same that he’d given to her.

Trailing his fingers through her hair, he finished the story. “The cop suggested I find a better place to hide my money, because the river could swell with a hard rain, and my cans could float away. I hadn’t considered that. I had six months more before I turned eighteen and could get my own bank account, so I thanked him for the advice. After he left, I collected my cans—I had twelve of them—and put all the money in one.”

Berkley pressed back to see his face. “What if you’d gotten mugged?”

The setting sun created a shadowy halo around her, half hiding her expression. “Probably would have if I’d headed home. Instead, I went into the woods, found an old rotted tree stump and hid the money in there. The next day I bought a lockbox. Every so often, I found a new hiding place.” He was always careful that no one had followed him. “The day I turned eighteen, I had it out with my folks.”

Cautiously sitting up, her gaze studying his face, Berkley asked, “What does that mean?”

Damn. He’d enjoyed holding her, but he supposed being horizontal on a public beach in the town they lived in probably wasn’t a great idea. “I told them no more pressure to drag me into their messes.” He, too, sat up. “I wanted to finish school, so I said I’d pay them rent, but if they kept trying to involve me in their schemes, I’d leave.” He shook his head. “I knew they were both too far gone to get clean and hold down honest jobs. My mom looked twenty years older than she was. Sickly, like she’d just come off a bender. Honestly, I’d given up on them years before that. I’d tell myself that it didn’t matter, but it was a lie. It always mattered, too much.” He took a breath and stated, “I just didn’t let it stop me.”

This time her smile was small and tinged with sadness. “You amaze me.”

He huffed a laugh. “I have no idea why.”

“Lawson, you did all that as a kid. You saw how messed up things were and made a conscious decision to forge a different path. Grown adults struggle to do that.”

“I guess.” He’d had bad examples, and knew that to survive, he had to be different. For him, the choices had been simple. Hard, yes. Painful, sure. But he’d wanted more out of life.

Her brows tweaked together. “When did you move out?”

“As soon as I graduated high school. Like—that very day. No ceremony, no celebration. All I needed was my diploma. I didn’t go far, though.” He hadn’t been able to, not with his limited means. “I still worked and lived in our neighborhood.”

“Right. Because you were there for my big headlines.”

She’d been seventeen, but he was older. A man when she’d still been a teenager. “I’m glad I was still around, because as a firsthand observer, I have a perspective you don’t have.”

She acknowledged that with a nod. “Eventually, you left, though. When did you make it out?”

“It wasn’t long after that, when I’d just turned twenty.” He heard a splash and they both glanced at the lake. The night was still warm, with a humid breeze stirring the air. “I’d been working construction when another guy offered me a job.”

“That job where you traveled?”

“Yeah. It was like a lifeline. Got me out of our neighborhood, paid me well, let me see things in the world I’d never imagined.” It was the first time he’d felt any real hope. “Gave me the opportunity to learn a lot, too.” Closing his eyes, Lawson recalled how liberating it was to leave everything, and everyone, behind. “Standing up to my parents was the first step for me.”

“Toward being free?”

He lifted one shoulder. “After that, I knew I could handle everything else. Moving out, earning enough to make it on my own.” Touching his fingers beneath her chin, he tipped up her face. “You’ve done the second, hardest part already. It impresses the hell out of me.” He kissed her, and didn’t want to stop. At every second, he was aware of her dress, of the flirty skirt and how easy it’d be...

Unable to help himself, he rested one hand on her thigh and felt her shift that leg toward him. He stroked his palm a little higher, drawn by the silkiness of her skin, then forced himself to stop.

It was getting darker by the minute. If he wasn’t careful, they’d be eating their food under moonlight.

Easing away from her, he whispered, “I’d be happy to put myself between you and Durkinson. If you want that, say the word and I’m there.” He’d take great pleasure in making sure Durkinson never bothered her again.

“I know,” she said softly. “But—”

“But.”This was the point he wanted to make, what he really hoped she would believe. “I know you can handle it, Berkley, just like you’ve handled everything else.” If it was a confrontation only.

Anything more, if the bastard dared to touch her, Lawson would destroy him and deal with the consequences later.