Page 53 of Protecting Lainey (Broterhood Alliance #7)

Three months later

This was the day Lainey prayed would come.

The renovations were complete. Her crew had worked long hours to finish the remaining projects. And now it was done.

Lena and some of the women from the shelter, some from the community, were lingering near the door of the transitional housing building. Lainey caught Lena’s eye and smiled. Lena wiped at her eyes and nodded, her face full of joy.

Finn told her the Brotherhood Alliance was working with Lena on furnishing the apartments, getting appliances donated and setting up security that would make the women feel safe without being watched.

The community theater had already hung posters for their first production opening in a few weeks, Stella’s Bakery had a line out the door for cookies and brownies, and Brick & Barrel Gastropub had a waitlist and two new seasonal beers on tap.

Today was the official grand opening, and it was everything she had hoped for. A band played jazz from the edge of the square. Kids darted around with a balloon animal in one hand and a cookie in the other.

It was a cloudless, cool day, perfect for the party. Fairy lights zigzagged across the square. The new mural shimmered in the sun. The community had gotten together to repaint it.

She stood just outside the theater entrance, watching it all, holding Finn’s hand. The crowd was steady but not overwhelming. Local officials, a couple of reporters, community members, her crew and Gus. Luke was with Jack somewhere, both covered in face paint and chasing each other around.

Mia Whitmore’s catering truck was parked along the edge of the square.

The scent of roasted garlic, fresh basil and warm bread drifted across the pavement, mixing with the sugary scents from the bakery.

Her table setup was elegant but fun. Mia smiled as she offered samples of caprese skewers, tiny crostini with whipped feta and fig jam.

She was in her element, chatting, laughing, but Lainey knew better.

Mia and Caleb were still circling each other.

They hadn’t spoken much. At least not where anyone could hear.

Her eyes drifted to the corner of the square. Caleb Jennings leaned against a tree, arms crossed, scanning the crowd and staring at Mia in between.

She elbowed Finn gently and nodded toward Caleb. “Think they’ll ever figure it out?”

Finn followed her gaze and huffed. “God, I hope not. Watching them avoid each other is the only entertainment I get.”

Lainey grinned. “Why is it so hard for them to get together?”

He shook his head.

A burst of laughter pulled her attention back to the moment.

Jessie was showing Bree and Nicki something on her phone that made them all crack up.

Autumn circled the crowd with her camera, snapping photos.

A group of men from the Brotherhood chatted in one corner, eyes on the crowd, protectors even here.

Lainey took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

This was everything she had wished for and more.

She had friends who had her back. A job she loved that not only paid the bills but made a difference. Especially now, since the council awarded her the next phase of redevelopment.

She had Luke, whom she loved beyond measure.

She had Finn—steady, strong, and hers.

And for the first time in a while, she had peace.

She glanced toward the catering truck just in time to see Mia hand Caleb a napkin, barely meeting his eyes. He didn’t say anything, just nodded and walked away, only to stop a little way off and turn around again.

Lainey smiled.

Some things just took a little longer.

And this town was full of second chances.