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“Me, either,” Paisley added. “So that was it? You talked, then what? He bought you lunch, and you were smitten?”

Shaye smiled. “Something like that.”

“Wow. I’m happy for you and wildly jealous at the same time. I want to meet a great guy. Lawson always seemed so . . . What’s the word?”

“Solid,” Shaye said.

“That’s it.” Dena laughed. “He’s the kind of man you instinctively trust.”

“And he just seems the type to be good in bed.” Paisley grinned. “He just seems the type.”

Shaye focused on the weeds in front of her. “I wouldn’t know.”

“Oh, but you will, and then we’ll want to hear all about it.” She paused. “Okay, maybe not details but, you know, a few broad strokes describing the event. I’m with Dena. This time we’re going to have to live vicariously.”

Shaye very much enjoyed being with Lawson, but she was in no way ready to take things to that level. It was too soon.

“Sorry to disappoint,” she said, careful to keep her tone light. “But that’s not going to be happening anytime soon. I like Lawson a lot, but it’s only been a few weeks.”

“You’re smart,” Dena told her. “Of course you want to take things slow and get to know him. Plus the falling-in-love stage is always so magical. Good for you, Shaye.”

Falling in love? No. That wasn’t happening. She didn’t want to fall in love. If she did, she would be putting too much on the line. While her last boyfriend had battered her pride and left her feeling like an idiot, he hadn’t broken her heart. She’d been more interested in leaving town with him because she needed to start over than because she couldn’t imagine living without him. She’d liked him and had hoped they had a future, but it hadn’t been love.

She wasn’t ready to fall in love. Her heart was still healing from the death of her parents. Giving it over to a guy was just too big a risk. Sure, someday she wanted that. Someone she could be with for the rest of her life, but not now.

Right then the sun broke through the clouds, but instead of feeling the warmth of the moment, Shaye suddenly felt cold and afraid. All this time she’d thought she’d known what she was doing with Lawson. She’d been happy and had always felt safe with him. But now she was less sure of everything.

What were they doing? Dating, obviously, but to what end? A good time or something more? She knew she liked him, but was she ready to take on more than that? Did she have it in her? And if he wanted more than she was willing to give, where did that leave them? And where did it leave her as far as her decision to stay or to go?

Shaye did her best to shake off her feeling of unease and just enjoy the morning. The new flowers were delivered around ten, and she and her friends made quick work of putting them in the ground. By the time Shaye had to leave for her shift with the food cart, Mrs. Marques’s front yard looked significantly more cheerful than it had when they’d arrived.

Their grateful hostess gave her a package of cookies she’d made herself and thanked her several times.

“I know we’re helping other people,” Dena said as she and Paisley walked Shaye to the sidewalk, “but I have to admit part of the payoff is how good I feel after doing work like that.”

“Me, too.” Paisley laughed. “It’s a true win-win. When we’re done here, I’m going to go home and get ready for the massage I booked for this afternoon.”

“Smart,” Shaye said. “I’ll think of you as I’m working.”

“But after work, you’ll be getting ready for your date. That makes me jealous, so another win-win,” Paisley said, her voice teasing.

“I will be,” Shaye said, trying to sound more enthused than she felt. All her concerns had left her feeling uneasy about Lawson, and she didn’t know how to set things right.

Shaye said goodbye and started home. On her way, she saw a couple of teams working on different front yards. Across the street, a few houses before her destination, she saw Lawson with a group of boys who looked to be maybe twelve or thirteen.

Their project had been more extensive. She could see a full yard-waste bin filled with dug up plants and bushes. The boys were busy replacing them with healthy-looking plants. Lawson worked alongside of them, obviously in control, but still laughing and joking with the kids.

He hadn’t seen her, so she walked past them before turning to watch a little more. Lawson directed the boys with an ease that spoke of someone used to being in charge. When two boys started a heated conversation, he got between them and quickly de-escalated the situation.

She’d never seen him with teens but wasn’t surprised at how well he did. She would have guessed he would have the patience and personality to step in and take control without being overbearing or diluting the fun.

She turned away and resumed her walk home. As she reached Kathy’s house, she realized she’d let herself get carried away before. Lawson was someone special. Yes, she wasn’t ready for love, but it was too soon to worry about that. They were having a good time as they got to know each other. That was what dating was for. It was perfectly fine to have moments of panic, but she wasn’t going to let the emotion define her decisions.

As for staying or going, she needed to make that decision on her own, without thoughts of Lawson influencing her. Because they weren’t a sure thing. So maybe the question was, if she and Lawson broke up, would she still want to stay in Wishing Tree? And if she didn’t, then maybe that told her everything she needed to know.

Chapter Eight

Just enough clouds lingered through the evening to produce a perfect sunset. Shaye walked next to Lawson, her hand in his as they strolled through the neighborhood where he’d grown up.