She shook his shoulder. “Boomer, wake up. It’s six o’clock, and I have to go home. I guess we fell asleep.”

Boomer bolted upright. “Six o’clock!” he said incredulously.

“Yep. We spent the night together.” She found herself smiling from ear to ear and wasn’t sure why. “I can call a cab. You better hit the shower, or you’re going to be late for work.”

“I’m off today, but I have a meeting I can’t blow off. Why don’t you take my car, and I’ll use my truck. I keep it for camping and fishing trips, and there’s more room in it for Ozzie. You can bring it back later after you get cleaned up. We can spend the day together if you want to.” He ran his hands through his hair, then matched Cady, smile for smile. “We really did spend the night together, didn’t we?”

“Yep. Hey, before I forget, I never knew the pond was the local lover’s lane. I meant to ask you last night how you came by that information, but you got beeped, and then I forgot.”

“In the bakery, where else? That place is one hotbed of gossip.

“There were all kinds of stories that were told about the Judas tree, the pond, the entire area. When we were little kids, it was one story, when we were teenagers, it was another story. Hell, I used to park there with Cassie Denvers in my senior year on a regular basis. Someone started a story about the Judas tree. It grew legs with the telling. There are other Judas trees in the area but none as big or as pretty as that one. It seems they all bloom around the same time in the late spring with the exception of the one at the pond. It’s a late bloomer for some reason. Maybe there’s too much shade from the oaks and maples or something. The fact that it was a late bloomer just added to the mystique of the tree and the place.”

“That is so interesting. Yes, I would very much like to spend the day with you. Let’s do a picnic down by the pond. I’ll pay the ticket, and I’ll even bring the food.”

“That sounds like a plan to me. You look nice when you wake up,” he said.

Cady grinned. “So do you.”

“Everyone is going to think…”

“Yes, they are.” Cady smiled. “What time should I be ready?”

“Let’s say ten o’clock.” Boomer tossed her the keys to his Toyota.

Reading his intentions, Cady said, “I don’t think you should kiss me.”

“I don’t think so either.” He shuffled his feet, his face flushed. “I think I loved you all my life. I probably shouldn’t say something like that. You must think I’m nuts.”

“No, I don’t think you’re nuts. I wish I had known. I don’t know if it would have made a difference in my life or not. It makes a difference now, though. I’ve never been in love,” she said honestly. “I find myself wondering…I think I better leave right now.”