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Mason arched a brow. “Wow, bro. You are so out of it. That’sexactlywhy I’m telling you she’s into you. You must know. She’s gaga for you, and she turns a whole other level of shy whenever you’re around.”
“Come off it.” Jack was incredulous.
Mason continued. “Don’t get me wrong, I probably see a different side of her because I’m with Lila, who has known her a long time. Nora is less reserved around menow, but it took a few shots to get over the most of it.”
Jack’s heart was in his throat. He had known Nora for years now. She still couldn’t talk to him. He frowned. This changed a whole lot of things in his mind. He quickly went through his memories of his first few months in Half Moon Key when he had first met Nora.
“If you don’t stop yapping on, I am kicking you out of the fishing group,” Cohen grumbled, interrupting Jack’s trip down memory lane.
Jack wanted Mason to let it go this time, too, but if he joined in with Cohen’s grumpy chorus, it would only bring more attention to himself. Besides, it didn’t matter if Nora was into him. He couldn’t be with anyone.
His past had made sure of that.
* * *
After an afternoon of work,Jack left the rental cabin in the hands of a few high school kids who worked for him during the summer months. It gave him some time off during his busiest season, and the kids were all from Half Moon Key. They respected the rental cabin because it was older than them and as much part of the town as Mrs. Francis and Moonie’s Diner.
But before he could do any relaxing, he had to figure out what to have with the fish he had caught for dinner. Panfry? Oven-bake?
As he entered the grocery store, one of the town’s most beloved citizens walked out with her arm straining under the weight of her reusable tote.
“Mrs. Francis, you really shouldn’t be doing this all by yourself,” he chided gently, taking her bag from her.
She slid her arm around his, and he guided her down the street. “I’m not alone, you silly boy,” Mrs. Francis quipped. “I’ve got all of Half Moon Key looking out for me. How does that equate to being alone, huh?”
He grinned. “I guess that’s a good point. Apologies.”
She waved him off. “Don’t you worry about it. I know that I should be more careful, but it’s hard to get this old when I used to be a fast little thing.”
Jack’s smile widened. “There is no doubt in my mind that you were quite the spitfire when you were running this town.”
“I still run this town,” she pointed out with pride.
He chuckled. “That’s right, you do.” He meant it too. No one dared to cross Mrs. Francis, not even Half Moon Key’s surly sheriff.
“I suppose if I do run this town, I should tell you that there is a nice young woman in Half Moon Key who only has eyes for you.”
“What is it with everyone today? Did you all have a meeting about my love life?”
She gave a curt nod. “We did, and the entire town has decided that it would be good for you if you dated.”
He balked. “There’s no way you actually had a meeting about who I’m dating.”
“Of course, we didn’t, but it doesn’t change the fact that too many young men in this town think that being alone is better. It’s not. Being alone sucks balls when you’re a shifter.”
He blinked at the little old lady, shocked that she would use such language. She winked at him and gave a girlish giggle. “Listen to me, sonny, your life? You get one. I had a good life here in this town. More than that, I actually had a good life with my mate. I’ve been alone for a long time, been a widow nearly half as long as I was mated, and I miss it. I misshim, that loveable grump.” She patted his arm like a doting grandmother. “You want a family one day, Jack. Don’t let life pass you by because there have been a few bad eggs.”
He arched a brow at her.
“Okay, fine,” she conceded. “You’ve had more bad eggs than most, but that’s why you should put yourself out there. Make some good memories.”
“Fine, fine. If I promise to go on a date, will you drop this?”
“Yes, but only if you also promise that you’ll tell me all about it afterward.”
“You’ve got yourself a very weird deal, Mrs. Francis.”
“Good, now that means you should ask Nora Ledger out.”
