Page 123 of Small Town, Big Storm

“No,” Clover tells Storm on a sigh. “You most definitely don’t want to know.”

He glances at me, and I just shrug. “It’s probably for the best that we ignore Shep’s nonsense.”

A pause then he exhales, giving me a rueful smile. “Ignoring Shep is definitely for the best.”

“Hey!” Shep accuses. “I heard that.”

“I meant for you to,” Storm calls.

A hmph before Shep grins and pretends to backstroke along the grass. “Come on in, Storm,” he calls. “The water’s perfect!”

Storm closes his eyes for a moment, and considering the argument I overheard inside, I expect him to decline.

Instead, he peels back his lids, the anger and hurt I heard in his voice mere minutes ago safely tucked away. Then he touches my cheek, something soft crossing his face…but it’s chased by⁠—

Mischief.

And a wink as he grips the back of his shirt and tugs it off.

I choke.

Clover chokes.

And then we’re watching two grown men act like idiots as they pretend to “swim” around the yard.

“Why do I have the distinct feeling that we’re in serious trouble?” she whispers.

“Because we are?” I whisper back.

She shifts closer, rests her head on my shoulder. “I hate that you’re probably right.”

“Me too.”

A huffed out laugh. “Liar. You’re happy.”

“You’re right.”

“Why do you sound surprised?”

“I…” I pause. Then exhale as I process. “It’s not that I was unhappy before. I…I think I was just surviving for so long and worried about Holly and hurt that Storm left and—” I shake my head, trying to pull my thoughts together.

“And?” she prompts after a moment.

“And it’s not like everything’s magically fixed or perfect, or that I’m certain it’s all going to perfectly work out. But I…” I sigh. “He explained why he left, why he stayed away. He’s committed to being here for Holly and…we’re taking things one step at a time.”

“Is that code for being caught making out on the beach by Gertie?”

I gasp. “How’d you hear about that?”

She just lifts her eyebrow.

“Right,” I mutter. “Because this is Cedar Hollow.”

“Exactly.” A jerk of her chin toward my side. “So, how’s the arm?”

“Broken.”

She laughs.