LITMIR.BIZ

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“Have you heard how Maria’s doing?”

      “I have.” He offered a sheepish smile. “She had a healthy baby girl in the ambulance, on the way to the hospital.”

      “Whoa. That was quick.”

      “Very quick. If it weren’t for that stellar emergency plan of yours, she might’ve delivered in the middle of the party.”

      “So you recognize my plan wasn’t so flawed, after all?” She couldn’t resist a subtle jab. Or conceal her smile.

      “I do. I mean, I recognize that your plan isn’t so flawed. At all. Again, I apologize for being rude and trying to take control of the situation.”

      She lifted one shoulder. It was kind of fun to see him stumble over his words. “Don’t worry about it. But thank you for apologizing.”

      “You’re welcome.” He studied the lot again. “Any idea what you still need in terms of building supplies? You’ve got walls up, it’s framed...looks like the subflooring was started. What would it take to finish this in time for the festival?”

      About fifty more volunteers and an extra three weeks. She bit back her snide reply as Erin strode toward them, a pastry box and a stack of napkins in hand.

      “Hey.” Erin’s curious gaze flitted from Natalie to Shay and back. “What’s going on?”

      Natalie pretended not to notice Erin’s nonverbal cues. No doubt they’d exchange a flurry of text messages later about the newest member of their committee. “Shay, have you met Erin Taylor? She and her husband own the coffee shop in town.”

      He shook Erin’s outstretched hand. “Shay Campbell. It’s nice to meet you.”

      “Nice to meet you, too.” Erin let go of his hand and then pressed her palm over the napkins on top of the white cardboard box to keep them from blowing away. “Are you building in this neighborhood?”

      “Not exactly. I’m a volunteer committee member from the fire department. Natalie was bringing me up to speed on the status of the service project.” Shay’s arm brushed against hers, and the scent of something clean nudged her nose, like laundry soap and fresh air. Natalie’s stomach tightened. Why did he have to smell so good?

      “Was she?” Erin asked, an innocent smile tugging at her lips. “She’s served on the fall festival committee for years. If anyone can whip us into shape and get the job done, it’s Natalie.”

      It was Natalie’s turn to fire a pointed gaze Erin’s direction. “That’s sweet of you to say, but Maureen had much stronger contacts for building supplies and coordinating volunteers. I’m all about weddings and hay rides. Lumber and windows? Not so much.”

      “Oh, please.” Erin playfully nudged Natalie’s hip with her own. “You’re the logical choice to replace her, especially on short notice. She’s only in Chicago while her daughter’s recovering from her car accident. It’s not like you can’t reach her. If I know Maureen, she’ll find a way to get you all the information you need. This festival was her pride and joy.”

      “I just wish we could do more.” Natalie frowned. “We could’ve built three new houses for wounded veterans and their families if we had more resources.”

      “You only lost Maureen and her husband. There are plenty of other people in Meadow Springs who will gladly help,” Erin reminded her.

      “I’m grateful for the little bit of progress we’ve made. I’m just afraid we won’t finish in time.” Natalie’s declaration was punctuated by more car doors slamming. Missy Josephson hurried over, with Pastor Adams not far behind. Thank You, Lord. Natalie straightened, the tense knots in her shoulders loosening. She was beginning to think they’d forgotten. “Hey. I’m so glad you’re both here.”

      Missy’s purse slid down her arm as she leaned in and gave Natalie a quick hug. “I wouldn’t miss it. I’m sorry I’m late. It took forever to get the kids out the door and over to my parents’ house.” She looked at Shay speaking with Pastor Adams and shot Natalie a questioning glance.

      “Missy, Pastor Adams, this is Shay Campbell. Shay, this is Missy Josephson and Rick Adams, the youth pastor from Meadow Springs Community Church.”

      Once introductions were finished, and they’d all gathered in a half-circle, Natalie perused her notes quickly. “Thank you for coming. I’m sure you’ve heard two of our committee members have resigned as a result of recent events in their daughter’s life. But we’ve gained a new member, thanks to Chief Murphy at the fire station. I was updating Shay on the building project before you both got here.”

      Pastor Adams smiled. “We’re glad to have you, Shay. The fire department’s presence at the festival is always a big favorite.”

      “Oh, the kids love it.” Missy bobbed her head. “My students are already asking if they can squirt the hose and wear those plastic fire hats.”

      “Missy’s a preschool teacher,” Natalie said.

      Shay smiled. “Little boys love fire engines.”

      “That sounds like the voice of experience.” Erin opened the box to reveal an assortment of her legendary cookies. “Do you have kids, Shay?”

      Natalie stilled, pretending to stare at her screen. But her racing pulse was a dead giveaway. She was more curious than she cared to admit. Hadn’t he mentioned something about his kids at the birthday party?

      “Twin two-year-old boys,” Shay said.

      Oh, my. Natalie’s gaze darted to his ring finger. Nothing. Warmth heated her cheeks. She only needed his help with the festival, right? Shay’s family life—particularly his potential single-dad status—was none of her business. The heartache over losing Spencer was enough to last a lifetime. She gave herself a mental shake. Avoiding firefighters, remember?

      “How about the other trucks we’ve had in the past?” Pastor Adams chose a chocolate chip cookie from the box. “Kids enjoy climbing all over that stuff.”

      Bless him for steering the meeting back on track. “We always have a tractor, riding mower and Dad’s old pickup truck available.” Natalie glanced down and double-checked her notes. “I’ve left a message with a heavy equipment company in Raleigh to see if they’d bring a loader or a dump truck out. They haven’t returned my call.”

      “Do you want my husband to follow up on that?” Missy whipped out her phone. “He has quite a few contacts through the department of transportation.”

      “That would be fabulous. Thank you.”

      “Of course. Let me send him a quick text.” Missy’s fingers flew over her screen.

      Shay declined the cookie Erin offered. “Is there any sort of performance or live entertainment?”

      “Yes, that’s the best part.” Natalie grinned. “Jayce Philips, the hottest new thing in country music, grew up here, and he promised to be our headlining act. Isn’t that great?”

      Missy gasped. “No way.”

      “He’s a great kid.” Pastor Adams nodded his approval.

      “I still can’t believe it,” Natalie said. “His mom indicated he might give away two tickets and backstage passes to his Raleigh concert, too. Wouldn’t that be amazing?”

      Shay’s countenance dimmed.

      Natalie studied him. What was wrong? Maybe he didn’t like country music. Or he’d never heard of Jayce Philips. If that was even possible.

      “Could we auction those tickets off or hold a raffle?” Missy’s smile widened, and she snapped her fingers. “Oh, how about this. All proceeds benefit the family moving into the new house.”

      “Perfect. I’ll follow up with Jayce’s mom.” Natalie typed in a quick note on her

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