Page 77 of Will Bark for Pizza (Bluebell Springs #1)

KIRA

“I brought margaritas!” Dylann announced as she walked through the front door, pitcher in hand.

“I don’t drink,” Carol Ann said from the table.

“That’s why I brought virgin daiquiris,” Lotti chimed in.

“And I have enough cupcakes to put an army in a sugar coma for three days,” Aspen said, holding up the covered tins as evidence.

“You got the coffee pot going?” Carlos asked me from the other side of the front counter.

“You know it. I’ll bring you a fresh cup when it’s done brewing.”

“You’re the best.”

The chatter grew as more members arrived and settled in around the community table.

We left it in the same spot it always was, right in the middle of the store.

Our group had grown by a few members since our grand re-opening two months ago, but thankfully, we could still fit everyone around the table.

Today, however, we were holding a special meeting for the original book club members only.

Brenda’s Book Nook flourished since Diana Davenport’s first official in-person signing.

The financial books were strongly back in the black, and we were confident we could make it through the slower winter months, since Lila hooked us up with online ordering.

We could now ship books to anywhere in the world.

The store was thriving, the book club was happier than ever, and I was still amazed that this was my life.

Words flowed more than they didn’t. I liked to tell Beckett he was my muse—and some days he definitely was—but he liked to remind me that burning that letter back in Omaha was really what set me free.

He was simply here to support me while I soared.

“You need anything before Husker and I head out?” Beckett’s low voice vibrated against the back of my neck as he pressed his lips to my skin.

“You don’t want to stay?” I teased, scratching Husker’s head as he leaned heavily against my leg.

“I’ve already read the book,” he said, kissing me on the lips. “And I got a personal one-on-one interview with the author.”

My body heated at the memory of discussing my book while we were naked and tangled in his sheets.

Though I still lived with Grandma Connie and Grandpa Dale, I spent more nights at the cabin than I did with them.

Beckett and I had talked about moving in together, but if I learned anything, it was that there was nothing wrong with taking things slow.

I was no longer wrapped up in the end result. I yearned to enjoy the journey .

“You have room for one more?”

Beckett and I both looked to the door in surprise.

“Pauline?” I looked at Beckett. “You didn’t tell me your grandma was coming.”

“I didn’t know.”

I moved around the counter to greet her, but Beckett caught me by the wrist and laced his fingers through mine. We walked to meet her, together. I braced for her disapproval.

“Nana, I didn’t know you were coming.”

“Of course you didn’t,” she said, giving Beckett a hug.

I stood, frozen beside him. I hated that I wanted so damn badly for this woman to like me.

“How long are you in town, Pauline?” I asked.

“Haven’t decided.”

“Where are you staying?” Beckett asked.

“With Madeline.”

It was still strange having Beckett’s sister in town, but also nice.

She warmed up to me more quickly than I thought possible, considering how distrustful she was with me upon first meeting.

Though this newfound friendship might be courtesy of my dog.

Husker loved the twins. Especially when they dropped food or sneak-fed him snacks.

“Do you want to join us?” I offered, motioning to the table.

“I’d love to, though I have to admit, I haven’t read the book yet.”

“Technically it’s not out until next week,” I said. “But I can get you an advance copy if you’d like.”

“That would be lovely, dear. ”

Dear? Did Pauline just call me dear ?

“I actually have some news,” she announced, “about Margene Miller.”

The chattering at the community table turned to a low hum as several sets of eyes looked at Pauline expectantly.

“Did you say Margene Miller?” Thelma asked. “Or Satan’s mistress? They sound a little similar.”

“She’s been apprehended.”

The group went dead silent, no doubt from shock or fear of having misunderstood what Pauline said. Though we still regularly cursed Margene’s name, we’d given up on actually finding her and bringing her to justice.

“In Cozumel,” Pauline added.

“I knew it!” Dylann said. “She talked about Cozumel all the damn time.”

“What happens now?” Carlos asked, adjusting his purple-rimmed glasses.

“She’s sitting in a jail cell waiting for a court date,” Pauline said.

“Did you hire a PI?” Beckett asked her, looking as surprised as I felt.

“Better. A bounty hunter.”

“You know a bounty hunter!” Lotti cooed, pulling out a chair. “Do tell!”

Pauline focused on me, making me feel both naked and loved at the same time. It was a very confusing feeling.

“There’s nothing I hate more than a spineless cheat. You tell your father I have a fantastic lawyer on standby.”

“Wow, I don’t know what to say.”

“ Thank you is fine,” Pauline said.

Tears welled in the corners of my eyes and I threw my arms around Pauline before she could escape me. I think I startled the woman, but so be it.

“Thank you. You have no idea how much this means to me.”

“You’re family now,” she said.

“Family?” A tear trickled down my cheek, emotion swelling inside me.

“I don’t say that lightly. So don’t fuck it up and get on my bad side.”

I let out a laugh, but I knew how serious she was.

“Now, who’s pouring me a margarita?” Pauline asked, turning to the table.

“Me!” Dylann volunteered. “And we want to hear all about how this handsome bounty hunter captured the devil incarnate.”

“I think they’re going to be distracted for a little bit,” I said, wiping another happy tear from my cheek. “You thinking what I’m thinking?”

“That we should go tell your dad the good news?” Beckett answered.

“Oh,” I said on a blush. “That’s probably a good idea too.”

“What were you thinking?” he asked, low against my ear.

“That we could sneak away upstairs. But we should really go tell my dad about Margene. He’ll want to know.”

Beckett clicked the leash onto Husker’s collar. “For the record, Red, I’m always thinking about sneaking off upstairs with you.”

A full-body tingle skittered up and down, settling in my core. Making me wish we could hit the pause button so I could enjoy some alone time with the man I loved more than I thought possible. We’d make up for it later.

“We’ll be back,” I said to the group before I surrendered to temptation and dragged Beckett upstairs. “We’re going to tell Dad.”

Beckett laced his fingers through mine again, and we headed down the block to the hardware store. Husker walked in front of us in his usual zigzags. The sun warmed my skin and I looked up to the clear blue sky. I hoped Mom heard the good news too.

Half a block down, Husker yanked hard on the leash.

“Chipmunk?” I asked.

“Your brother,” Beckett said, nodding toward Luke. He stood near the curb, dressed in his police uniform, typing quickly on his phone. He looked grumpy, but it was hard to tell by his frown alone if he was in a bad mood or just a normal one.

“Are you giving someone a virtual parking ticket?” I teased.

“No,” Luke answered, sounding extra sour. Guess it was a bad-mood day. “Just arguing with a fucking Karen about my pet policy.”

My brother owned a duplex in town, lived in one side and rented out the other. At family dinner last week, I remembered him saying his long-term tenants moved out recently. He floated the idea of short-term rentals during the summer and early fall months. I wondered which this was.

“What kind of pet?” I asked.

“A dog. ”

Husker tilted his head as if to ask what’s your problem with dogs?

“What’s the issue?” I asked. “You like dogs.”

“We spent two days replacing all the baseboards the last dog ate,” Beckett said to me.

“She’s trying to convince me her dog isn’t a chewer, but she’s doing a shitty job,” Luke said, shoving his phone into his uniform shirt pocket.

He lifted his sunglasses to the top of his head, his eyes looking weary. As though he’d been losing sleep. Over his pet policy?

I should leave well enough alone, but I couldn’t resist. “How so?”

“Failing service dog training doesn’t exactly fill me with confidence. If it weren’t a month-long rental and the end of tourist season, I’d have blocked her ass by now. I don’t have time for this shit.”

“Can you make her pay a pet deposit or something?” I suggested.

“Money doesn’t buy back time,” Luke grumbled. “What are you two doing out and about? I thought there was a highly anticipated book club meeting happening right about now.”

“Margene’s been caught,” I told him, a smile stretching my cheeks. “She’s in jail.”

“You’re serious?”

“Apparently, Nana has bounty hunter friends. Who knew?” Beckett added.

“We’re going to tell Dad the news. Want to come?” I asked.

Luke’s phone dinged again, and the look of frustration that instantly etched his expression was borderline comical.

“Fuck, I’ve got to deal with this lady. Apparently, she’s already in town. I’ll catch up with you guys later. I want to talk to Pauline when she’s free.”

Husker watched Luke stalk across the street to his cruiser, his head still tilted as though he couldn’t figure out what one of his favorite people had against dogs.

“That should be interesting,” I said of my brother, the wheels turning in my head. An idea for a new book about feuding neighbors of the opposite sex unfolded in my imagination. I yearned to jot the thoughts down before they evaporated, but I’d left my phone at the bookstore.

“I can see the romance writer at work,” Beckett said, handing me his phone. It was already open to a Notes app.

Another reminder that I was one of the luckiest women in existence to snag a man this good. A better man than I could have created in any of my romance novels.

“Have I told you lately that I love you?” I asked.

“Not since this morning.” He lowered his mouth to the shell of my ear. “Right after I made you come.”