Page 82 of Small Town, Big Storm

But before she can ask any of them, someone’s calling her name.

She gets busy, and Shep doesn’t leave the table with her friends.

And…maybe it’s not the evening I thought I wanted—I didn’t get to read to Holly, don’t get much time alone with Poppy.

But part of me thinks it’s the evening I need.

The buzz of Cedar Hollow’s many conversations surround me, but no one comes over to chat—not even Gertie Walkins.Instead, they give me the freedom to settle in.The space to watch Poppy unabashedly as she handles her shit, to think about the paint colors Rain left out this morning.

They’re ugly as fuck.

I should probably do something about that.

I won’t, of course.

And anyway, I’m too busy enjoying the sway of Poppy’s ass as she works.

Too busy enjoying sitting at the bar with the town giving me time and space and…

Hell, maybe it’s that I’m too busy enjoying the little bit of home I never knew I missed.

Twenty-Two

Poppy

“What do you think, Clover?”Shep says.

He’s switched to water and though his cheeks still have a hint of flush from his consumption of all those Storm Warnings earlier, there’s something in his deep brown eyes that reminds me of Storm.

Focus.

And determination.

Maybe it’s a professional athlete thing.

Or maybe it’s a…male thing.

A rasped-outbaby.Gentle knuckles running over my skin.The tempting promises of later.

Ofmore.

My gaze drifts to Storm’s and I shiver, my thighs pressing together.

Stupid.

So damned stupid.

But here I am, still standing here with need coursing through my veins and stupid hope blooming in my chest.

“Ithink,” Clover says, and I tear my eyes from Storm’s to listen to my quiet friend finally entering the conversation, “that it’s time for me to go home.”

“She speaks!”Shep jumps up from his chair, throws his hands in the air, and whoops.“She finallyspeaks!” He does a ridiculous little dance that has my lips twitching and Clover’s cheeks going bright red.

But she just ignores the show and glances over at Clem and Blossom.“Are you guys ready too?”

Clem’s eyes are dancing as she gathers her purse and her jacket, and I know mischief is afoot when she says, “Are you going to be okay walking from my place down to yours alone?”

“It’s four houses,” Blossom mutters.