Page 70 of Call It Serendipity

“How is Bear settling in?” Claire asks, her attention flicking to Lucy then back to me. Maybe I’m not the only one noticing things.

My hand curls over Lucy’s as I say, “He seems to be doing well. The adjustment to a home environment has been smooth, I think.”

“Have you ever fostered before?”

“No.” I shake my head and pause for the band to do a guitar solo. It’s impressive, and has garnered a loud response from the crowd. Whoops and electric riffs fill the air.

Claire only quirks an eyebrow at me until everyone drops back to their previous volume. Then she says, “What a convenient time for you to try this fostering thing out then.”

“Leave the poor man alone.” Levi laughs as he returns with fresh drinks in cold copper cups. “It’s a good thing that Bear’s out of that kennel.”

“Oh, I agree,” she replies innocently.

Heat pricks the tips of my ears at this blatant insinuation about my motives. But the slightest twinkle catches in Lucy’s gaze as she looks up at me, and suddenly I don’t have it in me to care if my motives are laid out bare.

“The timing wasn’t just convenient,” I admit unashamedly.

“Which is another reason to root for you.” Claire lifts her copper cup at me in a toast.

Her approval has my sister bored, apparently. Flicking at the tiny black straw in her drink, she asks, “Okay, great. But can we order food?”

Another drink and way too many potato skins later, I can’t shake the feeling that Lucy isn’t enjoying herself.

The band is still playing, and the crowd has doubled in size. And around the time that someone bumped against our table, sending our drinks splashing over the lips of our glasses, she started picking at the skin around her nails and fidgeting in her seat. Her jaw seems tighter as well.

I hate that she’s putting herself through this. My mouth opens to ask why when I hear, “Mr. Carpenter, what a surprise.”

Swiveling my head from Lucy towards the newcomer, I see Laurie, complete with velvet cat ears, grinning back at me. There are even tiny cat paw prints on the rim of her glasses—styled to the nines like every other time I’ve encountered her.

“Happy Halloween, Laurie.” I flash her a genuine smile.

“It’s nice to see you enjoying what our little town has to offer.” The words are vindication cloaked in kindness.

I take a sip of my drink then say, “It’s something special, right?”

Laurie’s attention scans our table before settling on Lucy. Her eyes sparkle with delight behind those lenses. “Very special,” she agrees. Then snapping back into her typically discerning demeanor she adds, “But don’t spend so much time out that you forget to bring my books back to me.”

“They’ll return soon—in the same pristine condition.”

She gives me a single curt nod. “Good.” And then without any pleasantries to the others at the table, she disappears back into the crowd.

“Who was that?” Taylor asks, staring at the empty space left before us.

“Our town clerk,” Levi explains. “And a seriously tough nut to crack. I can’t believe she actually greeted you. How did you win her over?”

I shrug. “We both like ordinances.”

He huffs in amusement, accepting an answer he knows only sits at the tip of the iceberg.

“It’s a miracle no one heard you being called Mr. Carpenter,” Claire points out—much to my dismay because Lucy is standing and throwing on her coat.

“I’m going to get some air,” she mumbles. Tucking her head down, she doesn’t wait for anyone to answer before fleeing.

I don’t hesitate either when I grab my coat and chase after her.

40

“This feels familiar.” I smile at Lucy while pulling my coat the rest of the way on.