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My heart went out to her, and I wished she was more comfortable here and would make more friends. She was such a sweet person.
I gave Margo a look. If it hadn’t been for Deputy Hill, there wasn’t a doubt in my mind that Margo would’ve befriended Lola. They would get along so well, but that stupid jerk had sabotaged a friendship opportunity for a woman who, more often than not, was scared of her shadow and needed all the friends she could get.
Margo sighed at me. “I made a couple of gluten-free apple pies, just in case. Would you like a slice, Lola?”
Lola’s eyes went as wide as saucers, and she spastically nodded. “Oh, yes, please. Thank you so much. When I attend functions, I don’t normally get to enjoy any treats.”
Grabbing the offered plate from Margo, Lola thanked her again as she said her goodbyes and headed toward the auction area.
We watched her walk away, and I couldn’t help grinning as I shoulder-bumped Margo. “I’m glad that worked out. Lola’s a lovely person and deserves to make some friends here, no matter what happened in the past. She isn’t the type to intentionally hurt anyone. I know for a fact she feels awful about what happened and has been giving you space. She doesn’t want to make you uncomfortable.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, really. She hates the situation she feels she put you guys in, even though your slimy ex did that.”
Margo’s eyes widened.
“What? Just because he’s dead doesn’t mean he wasn’t slimy.”
Margo’s lip twitched as she stifled her laughter. “You’re right. As always. She’s so timid that I keep thinking she’ll run whenever someone sneezes. The poor thing, it must be exhausting.”
Satisfied that Margo was giving Lola a shot, I happily returned to slicing more pies.
“And you’re right about another thing,” Margo huffed, even though I could tell she wasn’t happy about it. “I’ve been thinking about it a lot and decided it’s time to stop giving Clawson the cold shoulder.”
I started to sway as if I was about to launch into a happy dance, but Margo pointed at me in warning. “I’m still frustrated with him for calling me childish, and I admit it’s one of my biggest hang-ups with him. He’s only three years older than me, but he’s so mature and has his life so together that it makes me feel like it’s impossible to keep up with that. To top it off, he has a major role in this town. He’s the sheriff, and that’s more than a little intimidating.”
Clawson’s words that he’d do anything for Margo rang in my head. He’d called her his fated mate. Then I was confused because I recalled Margo saying the fated mate connection was supposed to be unmistakable. If that was the case, then wouldn’t they have known off the bat? Or at least, why would one know and not the other?
“How did you two meet?” I asked her.
A tinge of pink appeared on her cheek. She dropped her head to let her hair cover her face, which told me that what she was about to say was memorable and important to her.
“The first time I saw Birch was in grade school, and this strange feeling came over me. It was like seeing a real-life superhero or some magical fantasy creature. It was confusing, and I didn’t understand it. I figured it was some over-the-top schoolgirl crush. So like any little girl with a crush, I avoided him as much as possible.” Her face softened as she spoke. “I didn’t even realize he knew I existed back then, not until the incident a couple of years later when Zander pranked me to make me nearly shift in class. When Birch beat the crap out of him, it was like Zander had personally offended him. This kid who’d never spoken a single word to me instantly became my champion.” She shrugged, and her face lost that softened glow as she returned to the present. “That was my first encounter with him.”
The story made me all gooey inside. It was the sweetest way to meet somebody, and I found it immensely romantic.
“Aw, Margo, you really need to talk to Clawson.” Grabbing her hand, I pulled her behind me and out of the booth, nudging her forward. “Don’t come back here, missy, until you’ve spoken with him.” I shook my finger at her, making her roll her eyes and huff a breath out of her nose.
When I was satisfied enough that she wouldn’t sneak back into the booth, I turned around and helped Diana pass out slices.
“Thank you, Tori,” she said. “She needed that push.”
I winked at her.
“Now, I insist you get going. You should be with Ridge. I can pass these out on my own.”
I hated leaving Diana alone, but I couldn’t shake my anxiety of not being with Ridge. Even more so now that I was aware of unfamiliar shifters roaming around Blackwood Creek.
“Are you sure? I can stay. It’s not a problem.” I didn’t want to stay, but I still offered because this was Diana.
“I’m sure. Now, git. Spend time with your fiancé on this beautiful day. Get him to win you a prize.”
Chuckling, I headed to the back of the booth. “Thank you, Diana.”
Skirting out as fast as possible, I hunted for my fake fiancé. My wolf was restless, not liking all the unfamiliar shifters here, either. I needed Ridge to help me stay calm.
More than that, I needed to make sure he was okay.
