Hometown Holiday Reunion. Mia Ross

you, I’ll think about it. But don’t tell anyone I gave up so easy. I’ve got a reputation, y’know.”

      That got him a faint laugh, and she murmured a thank-you.

      “You’re welcome. Meantime, I’m starving. How ’bout you?”

      “Smells good.”

      “Sure it does,” he replied in a chipper tone he hoped disguised how he was really feeling. “Lena still uses your recipe at the Oaks, and it’s a big hit.”

      His mother beamed at the mention of her old friend, who happened to be a fantastic cook. While he got their dinner together, Cam searched his memory for snippets of town news that he thought might interest her. He knew he wasn’t the most entertaining person in the world, but Oaks Crossing was full of characters ranging from quirky to borderline insane.

      All he had to do was cherry-pick some of the mindless gossip he heard at the café on a daily basis. Apparently, the busybodies he’d spent most of his life resenting served a purpose, after all. Who knew?