Page 68 of Goode Tidings

Now, Eden absentmindedly rubs her lips. She digs her other hand in her purse, searching around for something. Frowning, she says, "I think my lip balm must've fallen out of my purse. Can I have your car keys so I can look around the floor in your car?"

"I can do it," I tell her. "What does it look like?"

She pats my shoulder. "I think you should stay here. It'll force you to give the spiel if anybody comes by." She levels me with a stern look. "Don't think I haven't noticed the way you're making me do all the work."

"You're better at it."

She smiles, and that little dimple appears. "Consider this part of your No More Sad Man Hermit training. You are being forced to talk to strangers. About puppies." She holds out a waiting palm. "Hand over those keys."

I do as she says, dropping them into her hand. She twirls her fingers at me and walks away. Do I watch her? Yeah, I do. Her retreating form is damn fine. Her hair is dark and shiny against that rust-colored sweater. And the jeans, of course, molding to her curvy ass. She sweeps across the park, steps behind a tent selling homemade maple apple butter and fig jam, and disappears from my view.

One minute later, a couple stops by to hear about the adoption. I repeat Eden's spiel word for word, but my delivery isn't anything like hers. I sound robotic, unnatural. While the couple leans over the portable fence to play with the puppies, I get a chance to improve my delivery with two older women wearing matching sweatshirts. Happy fall, y'all! the sweatshirts say, with falling leaves around the words.

"You're a cutie," one of them says, pointing at my face. Earrings in the shape of slices of pumpkin pie dangle from her drooping earlobes.

"Thanks?" I'm not sure why that came out like a question.

"Aww, and you're shy, too." The other woman says. I think they may actually be twins. "You have a girlfriend?" she asks. "Because my granddaughter is having the damndest time finding a nice, normal guy."

How do I politely tell this woman I'm not interested in her granddaughter? "Oh, I, uh⁠—"

"Callum?"

I've never been shot, and I hope to continue that record for the remainder of my life, but I imagine this is what it must feel like. Shock, a split second of disbelief before the panic sets in. That voice. It can't be. I'm sorry. Be well. Those were the last words that voice said to me.

I don't want to acknowledge her. I want to be back at the cabin, laid out on the couch in front of the fire. Reading. Working. Doing almost anything else.

But no. I'm here in Snowflake, in the middle of the Fall Foliage Festival, manning a dachshund adoption booth when I run into the woman who blindsided me.

I steel my nerves. Swallow my desire to disappear. I look at Hailey, standing with Todd, beside a baby fast asleep in a stroller.

And then there's another voice. Warm with tenderness, rounded out with familiarity. "Hey, babe. Sorry it took me so long." Eden strides around the table and slides an arm around my waist. She looks up at me with an open expression, a gaze full of longing. Those pretty brown eyes, and even prettier face. "What did I miss?"

CHAPTER 31

Eden

I know who the little family standing across from us is without having to ask. Between the luxury SUV with the TODDFTHR personalized license plate I saw parked alongside the curb, and Callum's panicked expression when I walked up, I put it together.

Then I acted without spending a moment considering.

My arm now fits snugly around Callum's lower back. I lean my body into his, feigning a practiced touch that is nothing but new to us. He's so tense, and I want him to know I'm here for him. I'm prepared to steady him, or fight on his behalf, or verbally spar. More than anything, I want Callum to know I'm in his corner.

I smile at the older women standing in front of the table before turning my attention to the two selfish people who blew Callum's life apart. "Who wants to love on the cutest puppies?" I ask both parties, my hold on Callum still firm. "Usually I charge twenty bucks for ten minutes, but today the snuggles are as free as the puppies themselves."

The older women laugh. One says, "I have my eyes on that yellow one. She seems sweet."

"Have at it." I motion at the puppies. "The yellow one is less rambunctious than her brothers and sisters." The women walk behind the tent to where the puppies fall over each other.

Callum stands like a statue beside me. Is he breathing? The couple, Hailey and Todd, might as well have the word AWKWARD written on their foreheads in red Sharpie.

"Hi there." I offer a wave. "Did you guys come here to look stricken beside a puppy adoption booth? Because I have to tell you, if you're feeling out of sorts, the best thing you can do is play with some puppies. There's something healing about it."

Callum does a grunt-chuckle thing in his throat, and he melts. His tension softens, and maybe it's silly, but I'm honored to be the one he relaxes into.

"Um, no." A flash of a sort-of smile moves over Hailey's face. She's pretty. A headband pushes back her long blonde hair. Her makeup is expertly applied, but her eyes are the kind of tired no amount of concealer can hide. I bet the baby is teething, and was inconsolable all night. Ask me how I know.

"This is Hailey," Callum says. "And Todd."