Page 123 of Small Town, Big Storm

“No,” Clover tells Storm on a sigh.“You most definitelydon’twant 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 isdefinitelyfor 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.

Cloverchokes.

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.