Ty nodded. “I heard the strawberries are doing really well, though.”
“They are, I’m happy to say. The elderberries are coming along, and we should have them open for you-pick this summer.”
“Oh, Blayze and Morgan would love that! When will they be ready?” Timberlynn asked.
“Mid-August, I’d say.”
Kaylee frowned. “I’ll most likely have a newborn then.”
My gaze dropped to her stomach, and I smiled. I’d heard rumors about Dirk and Kaylee’s relationship, or lack thereof. When I met Libby for lunch a few months back, she had cleared up most of it. Apparently, they were nothing more than friends. Dirk thought very highly of Kaylee. Ty and Kaylee both seemed over-the-moon happy, and seeing them together, it showed.
“Well, the season would run through about mid-September,” I said, “so maybe you’ll get a chance to get some.”
A wide smile grew over Kaylee’s face. “Perfect!”
“You hiding from all of us, little Merit Eden?”
I chuckled as Brock Shaw walked up. A little girl sat on his shoulders, and a boy around six or seven stood next to him and Lincoln. That had to be Blayze, Brock’s son from his marriage with Kaci. It had hit Brock pretty hard when Kaci died during childbirth, so I was happy to see he had finally found true love. Not that he hadn’t been in love with Kaci, but everyone had known Kaci would never be truly happy with Dirk or Brock.
Kaci had had her own set of issues that she never seemed to be able to work out. It was really rather sad, if I was being honest. She’d occupied so much of her time trying to rein in two men she’d never truly loved.
“Hey, Brock,” I said, lifting up onto my toes as he leaned down and kissed me on the cheek.
He then looked lovingly at his wife. “Lincoln, have you met Merit?”
“I have! It’s so nice to see you again, Merit. Are you here with someone?” Lincoln asked as she glanced around.
“Yes. Well, I’m meeting Channing Harrell here. It’s sort of a date.”
Ty grunted. “Oh, man, that jerk?”
I was positive my eyes were as wide as saucers at Ty’s comment.
Kaylee hit him on the chest and laughed. “Ignore him, Merit. He’s still bitter that I went out with Channing once.”
“You did?” I asked, my interest piqued. “Well, I see things didn’t work out between the two of you.”
Kaylee laughed. “No, they didn’t.”
“He told me to meet him by the chicken-on-a-stick booth. I should probably go track him down,” I said as I glanced around.
“You won’t have to look far, he’s right there,” Brock said as he pointed behind me.
I turned to see Channing talking to a woman who appeared to be about the same age as me. Then I realized who it was. “Is that Lauren, his girlfriend from high school?” I asked.
Timberlynn, Kaylee, and Lincoln all moved closer and stood next to me.
“Yep,” Kaylee said, popping her P. “I think he’s still hung up on her.”
I felt my entire body sag as I exhaled in defeat. Not that I was really interested in Channing or saw this relationship going anywhere, but a few dates out would have been nice.
“You don’t know that for sure, Kaylee,” Lincoln stated.
“It’s been hinted at. A lot.” Kaylee looked at me. “There’s a reason I like going to knitting, and it’s not to make those scarves. I get to listen to all the gossip. Apparently, Lauren moved back to Hamilton after being dumped by a doctor she was dating—the man she dumped Channing for. And if you like to believe gossips like the vile Lucy Mae, she’s come back to town to try and win Channing back.”
Lucy Mae. Lord, I hadn’t heard that name in forever. She was the high school gossip and troublemaker when I was in school. She even had a thing for Brock and was one of Kaci’s friends.
“Ugh, Lucy Mae is still gossiping?” I asked.
All three Shaw women replied at the same time with, “Yep.”
We all laughed.
About that time, Channing glanced in my direction and saw me. He smiled, and I couldn’t help but notice Lauren didn’t seem too pleased.
“Well, it looks like Lauren is shooting you daggers,” Kaylee said with a chuckle.
With a slight frown, I replied, “It certainly does appear so, doesn’t it?”
“Yeah, the ones that say he’s my man so back the fu—”
“Kaylee!” Lincoln shouted. “Little ears!”
I sighed as I looked back at Channing and Lauren. “Should I not go over there?”
Kaylee all but pushed me. “Hell no, go! I’m dying to hear how the women in knitting class will spin this Tuesday night.”
I rolled my eyes and looked back at Kaylee. “Gee, thanks.”
She winked. “Better yet, let’s all exchange numbers so we can get into a group chat later tonight.”
“You really are bored, aren’t you?” Lincoln asked as she stared at Kaylee.
“You have no idea,” Kaylee stated.