Page 63 of A Cup of Autumn
Rex lumbered into the room followed by Callie. “Margot let us in on her way out.”
“Nice you could stop by.” Rex pressed against Keaton. He’d seen the dog a few times since he arrived, but not as much as he’d planned. “Good to see my favorite nephew. Being good for your mom?”
Rex’s tail wagged, and Keaton rubbed behind the dog’s ear.
“He’s always a good boy.” Callie peered at all the supplies. “For the Boo Bash?”
Keaton nodded. “Just arrived.”
“Looks like a lot of stuff. I didn’t think the budget was that big.”
It isn’t.Keaton shrugged before brushing his hand through his hair.
“You bought some of this.”
He picked up a bag. “Stretchy skeletons. How could I not?”
Callie’s gaze clouded. She took a closer look at what was on the desk and in boxes. “You mentioned having savings—”
“I do. And severance.” He raised his chin. “Don’t worry, sis. This won’t set me back.”
“Okay, but why are you going to so much trouble? Spending your own money when you don’t even live in Silver Falls and Margot forced you into helping?”
Raine had asked him a similar question. His answer remained the same, though there was more to it now. “The town is important to you and Garrett. That makes it important to me. Margot has opened her home to me for the second time this year. The First Avenue Business Association events mean everything to her. This is a perfect way to pay back her kindness and generosity.”
“And Raine?”
Rex nudged Keaton’s hand. The sign the dog wanted more rubs, so Keaton gave Rex what he wanted. “We agreed Raine needed help. A few have volunteered to do more than pass out candy at the Boo Bash, but it’s only because they were asked. No one stepped up.”
Callie’s lips pursed. She blinked. “You’re just helping Raine?”
That wasn’t the question his sister wanted to ask. “I am, which is what Margot asked me to do. Everyone at the dinner thought it was a good idea.”
Callie picked up a package of pencils. “Cute.”
He focused on Rex, who savored each touch by leaning into Keaton more. The dog was addicted to rubs. “The Boo Bash will be fun.”
“Looks like it.” She set the pencils on the desk. “Are you having fun with Raine?”
“I haven’t seen her much outside of the shop, but we’ll work this weekend on the Boo Bash.”
“You saw her Monday night at Lawson’s.”
That must be what was on Callie’s mind. “We went for dessert.”
A beat passed. Then another. “What was the forehead kiss all about?”
Talk about ridiculous. He sighed. “The people in this town really need to mind their own business.”
“You’re the one who kissed Raine on the sidewalk where everyone could see.”
The words shot out of Keaton’s mouth like Thor’s Mjolnir. “Everyone?”
Callie shrugged.
“It was late. No one else was nearby or driving down the road. I’m not sure how anyone saw what happened.”
“Security cameras.”
