Page 8 of Awaken My Heart

She chuckles. “It’s fine.”

“And the mom?” I try not to ask, but the question leaves my lips anyways.

“She’s gone. Ovarian cancer, I believe. Like fifteen years ago. The kids were pretty young. Well, the boys were all teens, but yeah, she’s been gone a while.”

My heart clenches at the story. Maybe I need to cut the man some slack. “He’s never remarried? He had to have been pretty young when she passed.”

“Never so much as a gone on a date as far as I know. He and Doc West are confirmed bachelors. Well, Doc is. Bram is just a hot widower.” Luna sighs. “Don’t get me wrong; women in this town have tried. He’s never given any of them a second look. He’s a good, good man. He’d give you the shirt off his back if you needed it. The consummate good Samaritan.”

I nod. To everyone but me. “Well, I don’t know what I did to get on his bad side, but maybe building the set together will smooth things out.” I frown. “I don’t like it when people dislike me. I pride myself on being able to get along with anyone.”

“I really don’t think he dislikes you. I think he’s attracted to you, and maybe he’s just not sure what to do with that.” She holds her hands up in defense when I open my mouth to speak. “It’s just a speculation from someone watching on the outside. I’m just saying that if you’re attracted to him, maybe just give him the benefit of the doubt right now. You never know what might happen. I mean look at me and Mason.”

I smile. “Mason is a lucky man.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t warn you that Bram was Taylor’s grandfather. I probably should have, but the situation just seemed too delicious to prevent. You would have found a way to cancel if you’d known, wouldn’t you have?”

“More than likely,” I admit.

Someone claps at the front of the seating area. “Ladies, let’s all take our seats so we can get started.”

“Remind me of her name,” I whisper to Luna.

“That’s Esther, she and her sister, Astrid own this store.”

“Right. I know I met them when I came to Anita’s book signing a while back, but I couldn’t remember.”

“They’re super sweet. Well, Astrid is sometimes hard to talk to because she’s ridiculously smart. Has a Ph.D. in astro physics or something.”

“Wow.”

“Yeah, they’re both married to celebrities too. We’ve had a strange migration of them to our cozy little town.”

“You, included. Do y’all have a special club?”

Luna laughs. “No, but maybe we should start one.”

“Clearly, the good people of Saddle Creek bring some much needed authenticity and balance to their crazy lives.”

“I guess so. I’d never actually thought about it like that. This really is the best town.”

“I’m so happy I moved here.”

At the end of the book club meeting, Anita offers to sign her newest release if anyone wants one. I’m practically the first in line. It still surprises me how young she is. Her wild red curls are everywhere while she bends forward to sign her name.

When she gets to me, she looks up and smiles so wide. “You’ve been here before. To one of my other signings,” she says.

“Yes. You’re actually the reason I moved here.” Then I wince. “Crap, I promise I’m not a stalker.”

She giggles. “I’m not too worried. I have a big, mean looking husband. I’m pretty sure he won’t find you too threatening.” She holds her hand out to me. “I’m Cleary Miller. I’m a transplant here to Saddle Creek too.”

“Emma Carson, middle school theatre teacher and number one Anita Dix fan.”

“Do you have plans after this?”

I shake my head. “Excellent. I want to bring my stalker to meet Ian.” She winks at me, then hands me back my signed book.

I go pay and then wait for Cleary so we can walk out together. Luna already snuck out a little early—something about helping her sister, Shelby, with a wedding plan issue. Because Luna’s sister is marrying one of Bram’s sons. One of his three grown sons. And there’s an adult daughter in there too. I mean I know he’s older than me, but even with the grey accenting his brown hair, he doesn’t look old enough to have adult kids. Let alone be a grandfather.