Page 32 of Smoky Mountain K-9

Brooke nodded, smiling.

Tears swam in Mara’s vision. She hopped out of her chair and ran around to give her friend a hug. “Thank you, thank you, thank you.”

Giggling, Brooke hugged her back, then leaned away to look at her. “You’re most welcome.”

Dashing at the wetness on her face, Mara let out a soft chuckle at her weepiness. “Sorry. It’s been a long day already. I’m exhausted.”

“Don’t worry about it.” She waved a hand. “I’m glad we can help. I do have a confession, though.”

“What’s that?” Mara sat down.

The smile on Brooke’s face turned sly. “A little birdie told me Carter showed up here with you at five a.m.”

Turning as fiery red as her hair, Mara couldn’t hold back the smile. “Your birdie was right.”

Brooke let out a squeal and sat forward. “Really?”

“Yep. We were asleep at his place when the alarm company called.”

Clapping her hands softly, Brooke did a little dance in her seat. “I knew it! When I saw the look on your face when he walked out on stage, I knew it would be worth every dollar I spent.”

“I will be forever in your debt, I can tell you that.” Mara sobered. “He’s amazing. The last couple weeks—I’ve learned a lot about the state of my heart. I didn’t think I was entirely ready to accept that chapter of my life was over. That Icouldmove on. I think I was just waiting for the right man to move on with.”

Brooke squealed again, wrinkling her nose as she expressed her delight. “Well, I’m glad.” She slapped a hand on the desk. “This means we need to double date. Oh! No. Triple date. I’ll call Gemma. I’m sure her parents would be thrilled to babysit for a couple of hours. Are you guys free tonight?”

“Tonight?”

Brooke lifted her hands. “Why not? It’s Saturday.”

“Um, I’ll have to check with Carter. He had to work today, so he might not want to go out tonight.”

“Oh.” Brooke’s nose wrinkled. “Okay. Next weekend, then.” She pointed a finger at Mara. “Let me know.”

“I will.” And she would. Going out as a group sounded fun. She missed being part of a couple and doing things with other couples. It was no fun being the third wheel all the time.

“Perfect.” Brooke sat back and glanced around the room. “Girl, we need to redecorate. This place is dull.”

Mara laughed. “It is not.” She agreed it was plain, but it wasn’t dull. Her artwork—painted by Gemma’s sister-in-law Laurel—brightened up the space and kept it from being boring.

“Yes, it is. Except the art. That’s gorgeous. You need stuff to compliment it. As much time as you spend in here, you’d think you’d have put up more decorations by now.”

“Honestly, I think about adding things sometimes while I’m sitting in here, but then I go home and my brain dumps everything.” She shrugged. “I figure if I see something I want enough that would go well in here, I’ll buy it.”

Brooke narrowed her eyes and hummed.

Mara shook a finger at her. “Don’t you dare buy me anything else. I don’t need another present from you for the rest of my life. You’ve spent quite enough on me.”

The other woman giggled. “I told you at the auction, I’ll spend my money however I please.”

Rolling her eyes, Mara sighed. “So spend it on more worthwhile causes.”

“Your happiness is a worthwhile cause.”

“Decorations won’t make me happy.”

“Maybe not the way you’re thinking.”

“Brooke.”