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The news had spread that they’d both been saving themselves for their wedding night, and it was a bit of a running joke among their friends. And, though there were those that mocked and jeered, most people were impressed— as well they should be. It hadn’t been all that easy at times. “Seven days,” he whispered, “ten hours and twenty-seven minutes. . . .” He was panting and snorting into the phone.
    “Stop it,” she giggled. “You’re getting my ear all wet!”
    “Hey, now, that’s interesting.” Chaz’s rich laughter rumbled in her ear. They’d always been able to make each other laugh. Sometimes it could get almost painful—this knack they had for cracking each other up. It was a wonderful face-and-bellyache that she hoped they’d share with their children in the future.
    “What are you doing today?” she asked.
    “I’ll be down at the cleaners pulling a shift for my dad.” Chaz’s father, Ernest E. Edwards, owned the Tripoli Cleaners across from the convenience store in the strip mall about a mile from Old Town. Chaz worked at Tripoli during the day and on his law degree up in Southshire by night. He and Kaylee had just bought a house north of town so that they’d be halfway between both places.
    “What time you getting off?”
    “I can probably be out of here no later than six-thirty. Seven at the latest. Why?”
    “I was just wondering when I should have dinner ready. Mama and Aunt Lydia are looking forward to seeing you.”
    “Plan on seven. What time are they landing?”
    “I have to be in Southshire by three-thirty. Their plane is landing at just after four, and I don’t want to keep them waiting, in case they’re early. They’re going to help me get a jump on thank-you notes and reception favors. When Daddy comes in on Friday, he’s gonna rent a truck and help us move everything over to the house.”
    “Sounds good. Don’t wanna take ’em line dancing, huh?” he teased.
    She groaned. “Pul-eeze. I was always facing the wrong direction and smacking into somebody.”
    “I like the way you line dance, baby. You can smack into me anytime.”
    “Get to work, silly boy.” It felt as if her grin could just swallow her face whole.
    “You want me to pick up some sushi next door at the Sakura Garden, since you’ll be on the road with your mama? I can bring it over to your place for dinner tonight.”
    Was he the most thoughtful man on earth, or what? “Oh, that’s a good idea. Mama loves sushi. It’s a date. I love you, Chaz.”
    “And, I love you, Kaylee Johnson, soon to be Kaylee Edwards.”
     

     
    Justin backed his tailgate up against the loading dock at the rear entrance to The Pump. The owner had contracted for a sauna in the men’s locker room. Though he’d never say it, Justin wondered why the men didn’t just go outside and sit if they wanted to sweat. Seemed like a waste of money to build a special room for it. Sweat for free, right outside. Whatever. Jobs like these paid his grocery bill, so he wasn’t going to complain.
    The backdoor swung open and Justin glanced up and grinned. Well, if it wasn’t the half-naked arresting officer from Low Places last night. “Hey, Bob Ray! I hardly recognize you without your badge.”
    “Shut up.” Bob Ray laughed and leapt off the dock and into the truck’s bed to give him a hand unloading bundles of cedar and stacks of 2x4’s. Justin didn’t know Bob Ray as much more than a workout buddy. He seemed to be a likable enough kid. A little on the cocky side. The guy who owned The Pump trusted him to handle a lot of the managerial stuff, so he must have a reasonable work ethic.
    “So, you have to go to the police academy to learn those moves?”
    “Learned everything I know from Rawston’s finest,” Bob Ray joshed as he hefted a load of cedar up to the dock. Justin chuckled and handed another bundle to Bob Ray. Together they began to slide stacks up onto the dock.
    “Heather know you moonlight as a