Zach took his hand from around Laney's waist to shake hands with the reverend then turned his blue-eyed charm on Mrs. Rawlings. He asked after their daughter - married and living in Houston - and their son, who was away at Texas Tech. In turn, they congratulated him on his retirement and subsequent new job. Together, they all walked out to the parking lot. Pastor Rawlings even took a moment to admire Zach's Corvette. Meanwhile, his wife gave Laney a hug.
"I knew you were a smart girl," she whispered conspiratorially in Laney's ear. "Hold onto that one. He's a keeper."
"It's nothing like that," Laney protested, though she knew it was futile. "We're just...getting to know each other."
"Well, of course. Don't take too long about it, though, or someone else will snatch him up." With that, s
