“Night, Alex.” She hoisted her big floral purse over one shoulder. She had the biggest, brightest smile on her face that he’d seen in a long time. And that was saying something, because Birdie was generally one of the happiest people he knew.

“Something going on?”

She giggled. Giggled. “Oh, yes, but it’s not my place to tell. Everyone will know soon enough, though. No hiding a thing like that.”

All right, then. “Well, you have a good night, Birdie.” He jerked his thumb toward the sheriff’s door. “He in?”

“Mm-hmm.”

Alex knocked. “Sheriff?”

“Come in,” Hank called out.

Alex opened the door. “Anything going on?”

The sheriff broke into a rare smile. “Sure enough. Ivy’s pregnant.”

“Hey, congratulations! No wonder Birdie was grinning like that. I thought maybe she’d hit happy hour early. You must be thrilled.”

Hank laughed. “Yeah, we’re pretty excited.” He cleared his throat. “I don’t imagine that’s what you came in here for, though.”

“Just wanted to check in before my shift started, see if anything was going on.”

“Nothing much. Quiet day. That’ll change soon enough with the parade coming this weekend.”

“That’s for sure.” Alex hesitated. “You mind if I ask you something?”

Hank tipped his head at the chairs across from his desk. “Have a seat.”

Alex closed the door and took the chair closest.

Hank leaned forward. “What’s on your mind?”

Alex took a breath. “How did you know that you and Ivy were meant to be?”

Hank snorted. “Our marriage was arranged. You know that. We didn’t have much say in the matter.”

“Yeah, but you’re obviously in love with each other now.”

“True.” He took a moment. “It happened over time, as we got to know each other.”

“Would you say she’s your soul mate?”

Hank nodded. “Sure, I’d say that. We’re bonded. I suppose you cats can do that the same way us wolves can.”

“Yes. Doesn’t happen to all of us, though.”

“Doesn’t happen to all of us either.” Hank’s gaze narrowed. “What’s all this about?”

Alex sighed. “What would you have done if Ivy hadn’t been a wolf shifter? Would you have been able to stay away from her after you fell for her?”

Hank frowned. “That didn’t happen, so what’s the point of speculating?”

“I just want to know if it would have been a deal breaker.”

Hank seemed to mull that over briefly. “No. Once I fell for her, that was that. She could have been anything—human, bird, mountain lion—and I would have chased her to the ends of the earth. That’s what love is.”

“I guess.”

Hank’s face screwed up in disbelief. “You’ve been in love, haven’t you?”

Alex sat back. “I don’t know.”

Hank snorted. “Then you haven’t been. Because when you are, you’ll know it. She’ll be all you think about and all you want to think about. You’ll be happy when she’s around and miserable when she’s not.” He tapped a finger on the desk. “Love is not a feeling you can ignore.”

“Good to know.”

Hank tilted his head. “This about someone in particular?”

Alex shook his head. “Not really. Maybe. I don’t know.”

Hank laughed softly. “Sounds like you’re off to a good start.”

“Thanks for your time, boss.” Alex stood, the feeling that everyone around him knew more than he did still clinging to him. Maybe he was overthinking this way too much.

It was time to focus on his job and his upcoming exam and put Roxy, and his feelings for her, out of his head.

Pages done, house buttoned up for the night and light beer in hand, Roxy headed to the couch for some downtime and to catch up on The Bachelorette, a guilty pleasure she liked to consider research. (Much like its sister show, The Bachelor.)

She was just about to plop down and get comfy when she saw her purse on the kitchen counter, which reminded her about the check she’d meant to send to her narrator for the last audiobook.

With a sigh, she set the beer on the coffee table, ran back to her computer to get the amount, then dashed off the check, popped it in an envelope and stuck a stamp on it.

She was about to put it on the counter next to her purse, when she realized the smart thing to do was put it in the mailbox now. Monday mornings were hectic, and she didn’t want to forget until the mailman came by and she ended up running down the street after him.

Flip-flops on, she walked the envelope down to the mailbox. The night was balmy and beautiful. The faint perfume of some night-blooming flower drifted past, along with the gentle hum of insects. She paused to take it all in and enjoy that this was where she lived now. Her own little piece of paradise.

Her gaze shifted to Alex’s house. A few exterior lights brightened the outside, but she knew no one was home. His offer to use the hot tub echoed in her head, and as enticing as that was, she was too worn-out to take him up on it.

She smiled, thinking about him. If this were a book she was writing, the heroine would definitely use the hot tub. She’d also forgo a bathing suit, since no one was home.

Of course, then Roxy would give the hero a reason to come home unexpectedly, putting her characters in an interesting situation that would lead to their romance leveling up a notch.