Chapter 25
I wavedto Shelly across the park lawn, shaking my head when I saw her outfit. Skinny white jeans, a pink and white checkered sleeveless button up, and cork wedges.
“You look like you’re ready for a day at the rodeo,” I said with a laugh, hugging her.
“If I was going to the rodeo, I would’ve worn my cowboy boots.” She not too discreetly surveyed the area. “Which one is he?”
I gestured with my chin to Knight who was leaning against the fence of the basketball courts.
“Wow. He’s good looking.”
I glared at her.
She shrugged. “Sorry, honey, but he is.”
The night before, I’d called Shelly to invite her to the charity yard sale that was being held in a public park due to the huge space, and to fill her in about Knight. I glossed over what I could, but had to mention club business because Colt had called the Blue Angels from Coeur d’Alene in for back up to deal with the Iron Horsemen. And it wasn’t like I could get away with not telling herwhywe’d needed back up. But I did manage to leave out the part about a cartel being involved.
“Introduce me,” Shelly said.
She took my hand and squeezed it, knowing I was nervous. I still wasn’t sure how to act around Knight. He might’ve been my father, but he was a stranger.
“Hey,” I greeted him awkwardly.
“Hey,” he said, his gaze darting to my best friend.
“Knight, I’d like you to meet Shelly.”
“Shelly,” Knight repeated. “Good to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you too,” she said, clearly looking him over and studying him.
“Guessing you know who I am?” Knight asked with a smile.
She nodded. “Mia brought me up to speed.”
I stood by while the two of them talked. Every now and then, Knight’s eyes would dart to mine, like he wasn’t sure how I was going to take his interaction with Shelly. But Shelly was Shelly and knew how to pretend awkwardness didn’t exist. She was aware of social cues, she just chose not to pay attention to them.
“She’s nice,” Knight said after Shelly excused herself to find a restroom.
“She’s the best,” I said. “We’ve been friends forever. She was there when Grammie died. She’s the only reason I got through it.”
His eyes saddened. “I’m sorry you’ve had to live through so much loss.”
“I—” Emotion blocked my throat. “I need to help Darcy set up.”
I turned away from Knight. I wasn’t prepared for public shows of emotion with him. My heart kicked up in grief when I saw his face fall and then close off.
The lawn was covered with folding tables and volunteers were hauling boxes of donated items from their cars and trucks. Kids ran around, laughing and having fun, and Blue Angels stood in small clusters, talking and watching. I caught Colt’s eye, gave him a quick wave, and then turned my focus to Darcy and the girls who were unpacking used books.
“What can I do to help?” I asked her.
“Sort the books by genre,” Darcy said. “I’m trying to create a semblance of order.”
I bent down and grabbed a handful of old-school paperback romance novels and set them aside.
“Did I see Shelly?” Rachel asked.
“Yeah. She’s here. She went to find a bathroom.”