Page 74 of Love in Overdrive

Chapter 25

Laney inhaled the cool air as she took in the setting sun. Its streams of light illuminated the cross on the steeple. The beauty of the sky eased her nerves. She was only here to humor her parents. God forgive her. She really didn’t mind their subtle guilt trips to attend Sunday service or the usual social event at church, but this was a thinly veiled attempt at matchmaking on her mother’s part.

She glanced at her watch. If she played her cards right, she’d be home curling up with Cade in less than two hours.

Laney hadn’t told her mother about Cade yet. What would she say? Hey, Mom, this is Cade, my friend with benefits? She snorted. That would go over about as well as a fart in church.

No, she needed to keep this… relationship… to herself. She couldn’t even label it. Definitely not the time to tell her mom about it.

Thankfully, Sawyer hadn’t spilled the beans about them yet either. If he had, her parents would have invited Cade to dinner so that her father could try to intimidate him, and her mother could size him up for a tux. Knowing her mother, she would be planning the wedding before the dinner was over. Laney wasn’t ready for that, and she didn’t think Cade was either.

Laney locked her doors, smoothed down her soft blue dress, and adjusted her deep blue wrap. She exhaled.

“Lord, make me strong,” she muttered. Knowing her mother, she’d need all the help she could get.

In the social hall, Laney stopped. She’d always loved this space with its cedar ceiling and exposed beams. The Spring Fling committee did an amazing job on the decorations. Memories of her wedding reception flashed in her mind. Her stomach soured. The event space radiated elegance and charm. Too bad her mind only saw the hull of her wrecked marriage.

The room blurred as she envisioned gauzy, white fabric swagged from corner to corner, and floral bouquets on stands by the entrance to the head table. The groom squeezing her hand. Cade flashed in her mind. No. It was Pete. But in her mind and heart, Cade stood by her side.

She physically shook to wash away whatever that was. Memories of the past intertwined with… her future? No. It was just her silly romantic streak rearing its stubborn head.

Focus on the now. Laney moved to survey the silent auction items placed on tables all around the hall. She might find something in her price range. Miracles happened.

Car wash supplies in a bucket, Minnesota Twins paraphernalia in a basket, skincare basket, spaghetti dinner mixings in a strainer. “I’m beginning to see a pattern.”

“I personally like the movie night in a popcorn bucket.”

Laney turned to find her brother Sawyer standing a few feet away, checking out the items also. “It has the collector addition set of Star Wars and some great snacks.”

She laughed. “So, Mom and Dad roped you into coming tonight, too?”

“Yup. She keeps dropping hints that Mary Sue Jensen is single and loves to cook, according to her ma,” Sawyer said, shaking his head. “She’s nice and all, but…”

“Doesn’t she have like four cats?” Either Mom was getting desperate, or she was trying reverse psychology on Sawyer. He was allergic to cats.

“I think one just had kittens last week.” Sawyer shook his head. “Besides, she’s been dating Jacob from the pet store for almost two years.”

Laney hated to be mean or petty in church, but what was Mom thinking? Even if Sawyer’s face wouldn’t blow up like a Thanksgiving Day parade balloon, she couldn’t see him and Mary Sue together. She was nice, but had nothing in common with Sawyer. He loved computers and sports. The man ran five miles a day, in snow or sun, every day.

Mom needed to up her game. Her choice of a date for him should like to hike or play sports, and not have a dozen pets that would be the death of him.

“So, who’s she got picked for you?” He raised a brow and scanned the room.

“Some son of her friend. I don’t even know his name. I told her to stop meddling in my life, but you know Mom.”

“You caved?”

“No. I said I would meet him but that’s it. I wasn’t going to promise anything else.”

“So, you haven’t told her you got something hot and heavy going on with Cade.”

“Are you kidding? This is Mom we are talking about. She would have us married and raising babies in her mind before I finished telling her his name.”

“Yes, and I know you. You can’t tell me that you haven’t thought about it.”

Like five minutes ago. Laney blushed and turned away. “We’re… friends.”

“I saw the look in your eye the other night. It was pretty obvious that both Cade and you hit it off instantly, like rockets and stars. But what I can’t understand is why my highly romanticizing, fairytale happily-ever-after sister is trying to convince me that it’s just a casual kind of thing.” He frowned. “Or maybe… you're trying to convince yourself.”