Page 38 of High Velocity

Konstance laughed.“Thank you.As a matter of fact, she approached me about that very idea.I’ll be spending all day tomorrow whipping up batches of cookies for the stands in Eden.”Her face suddenly lost some of its joy.“Such a shame about the stand in Hunt.”

“Yes, it is.Spineless pricks.Oo, sorry.I’m a cusser.”

“Ha, no worries.You should hear my sailor mouth at times.Actually, I think I’d be embarrassed if you did.”Her cheeks turned pink.

“Nah, nothing wrong with well-placed sentence enhancers.”

The two laughed and continued their chit-chat while Charli tossed tiny bits of treats to Max and Tidbit, two other Club dogs besides Nitro.They’d quickly attached themselves to Charli, who didn’t mind at all.

Charli and Roark arrived at the compound about an hour ago after a well-deserved morning of sleeping in.After which was followed by more sexcapades, then showers, and a quick snack.Roark informed her there’d be at least fifty to sixty people at family day with probably another twenty arriving later after work.She did her best to file away everyone’s names, but no doubt, she’d need some reminders.

“Do you normally have your shop open on Saturdays?”Charli asked.

“Every other unless I decide otherwise.I need to give myself time to do other things, and with the kids out of school, I especially like time with them.In two weeks, we’re going to do some sight-seeing up in the Ketchum-Sun Valley area.”

“That sounds like fun.Bradley going to join you?”Charli wiggled her brows at Konstance.The woman grew even more red in the face.

“I haven’t asked him.I’d like to, but...”

“Hey, he asked you to family day.That’s a big deal.It’s easy to see how much you two are attracted to each other.Don’t wait, Konstance.Not that he’s going anywhere, but don’t wait to be happy.And not that you aren’t.What I’m trying to say is, if you like him, let him know.Enjoy every second of joy together that you can.”

“I’m not a very forward person.The twins’ father was my one and only love.We were high school sweethearts who thought we had our whole future mapped out.Then reality slapped us in the face when I got pregnant at sixteen.Then he decided to enlist, saying it was the best option he had to earn money while also learning a skill.Life seemed on track.Until he was KIA and my world fell apart.”

Charli felt for Konstance.“I’m so sorry.I know a thing or two about loss and trauma.”

“I hope this doesn’t upset you, but Owen asked me to remain when he spoke with Bradley and Roark about what he knew of your past.While our devastation differed, it still sucked.”

“And we were strong enough to come through the other side.Now it’s time for us to take control of our lives and live it.Right?”

Konstance smiled.“Right.Thank you, Charli.”

She nodded and took another bite of the delicious cookie.

“Ya know,” Konstance started, “we should plan a lady’s day.Figure out something fun to do together.”

“I love that idea.I’ve never done that.I wouldn’t be opposed to some pampering, like facials and massages.If you plan it, I’ll do it.”

“Wonderful.I’ll think of some things and we’ll make it happen.”

Konstance set the plate of cookies on the table filled with plenty of other food, and when she looked up, Charli watched her gaze find Bradley speaking with several other guys.Charli gently bumped her hip against the woman’s.

“No time like the present.”

Konstance looked at Charli for several seconds before nodding.She put a smile on her face and walked over to Bradley.Konstance was an adorable pixie of a woman, reaching maybe five foot three.Golden curls fell around her face and just beyond her shoulders, and her sky-blue eyes still seemed filled with so much innocence despite what life threw her way.

She waited for an opening to talk with Bradley, then Charli watched them walk a short distance away.As they spoke, Bradley’s eyes lit up and a smile formed as he nodded his head.Konstance’s smile was even more radiant, and her cheeks were pink.Again.

“One of them finally making a move?”Roark whispered in Charli’s ear.

She leaned back into him and chuckled.“Yes.Konstance asked him about joining her and the twins in a few weeks when they’d planned to do some sight-seeing up in the Sun Valley area.At least that’s what we were talking about, so I hope she did.Given Bradley’s happy response, I’d say it’s happening.”

“Good for her.‘Bout time.”

Charli turned and smiled up at Roark.“And at some point, she and I are going to have a lady’s day.I really like her.”

Roark smiled, tender enough to melt Charli’s heart.“She likes you too.Glad you’re making friends.”He then looked down at the cookies in her hand.“Gonna share?”

Charli lifted a cookie to his mouth, and he took a healthy bite.“Good, right?”