“Annabeth and I would like to go out this evening. Would you be willing to come over, take care of him? I won’t be late.”
Lola took in a deep breath. “I’d be happy to.”
Josie could tell that was an understatement.
“Anything else?”
“Well—”
“Go on, sugar. You’re among family here.” Lola patted her arm.
Josie looked around the beauty parlor, where chatter and laughter filled the air. “I’m swimming in all the gingerbread. Dad won’t sit so—”
“I’ve got a half-dozen grandsons I’ll send down this evening.”
“Lola, you’re an angel.” Josie nodded. “I’ll return the favor, if ever I can.”
“Aw, now, I don’t know about that, sugar. I’ll see you about six?” Lola asked.
“Yes. And thank you.” She hugged the woman before dashing out of the parlor and back to the bakery. Eli was waiting outside with a red-haired girl.
“You can go in. I know its cold out here.” She held the door open for them.
Eli nodded at her. “Hey.”
“Hi, I’m Dara. Nice to meet you, Miss Stephens,” Dara gushed.
“You, too, Dara.” She beamed at the girl, then at Eli. Eli didn’t smile back. “Can’t wait to see the sketches.” She waved them back behind the counter.
Eli stood between the two of them and spread open a large piece of drafting paper. A chair sat in the middle of the float, flanked by two supersize books.
“These will have the covers for Floppy Ears and 34,” Eli pointed out. “Mrs. Upton said she wants to get the little brothers and sisters of the Future Farmers of America kids to ride on the float with you. Make it like you’re reading to them.”
Josie nodded. “And these?” She pointed to two blob-like shapes.
“One will be a cow and one will be a rabbit,” Dara said. “We’re going to make them out of garland and wrap them with lights. You know, those topiary things?”
“It looks great.” Josie was impressed. “And a lot of work.”
“It was Eli’s idea.” Something in Dara’s tone made Josie look at the girl.
“It’s a great idea,” Josie said. She saw Dara cast a timid glance Eli’s way, saw Eli’s red cheeks. Just when Eli looked at Dara, the girl looked back at the drawing.
The bell over the door rang.
“Hey, Josie-girl.” Fisher was all smiles. “How’s it going?”
“Gingerbread madness has begun.” She grinned. “Nice of you to stop by to help.”
“I’ll help eat my fair share. It sure smells good.” Fisher sniffed for emphasis.
“Tastes pretty good, too.” Josie offered the three of them a gingerbread man.
“Damn good,” Fisher agreed, eating the cookie in two bites. “You good with the plans?”
She nodded. “Since I’m not building it, yes. Looks great.”
Dara’s phone rang so she walked outside to take the call, and Eli followed.
“They’re adorable,” she said to Fisher.
“Eli’s too young for a girlfriend,” Fisher argued. “He’s just a kid.”
“I don’t think they’re talking marriage, Fisher.” She offered him another cookie. “How’ve you been?”
“I’m good, real good. Nothing like living your dream while being seriously good-looking, you know?”
She giggled. “You’re incredible.”
“I’ve heard that before.” He winked at her.
She kept laughing. “Behave.”
“Not in my nature,” he countered.
“Fisher,” she wheezed. “You’re going to make me have an asthma attack.”
He chuckled. “Never done that to a woman before.”
She shook her head. Fisher had always been funny. Once she was able to breathe and talk, she tried again. “I’m really impressed by the ranch. Looks like the family has been working hard.”
“Mom and Dad set the bar pretty high. And Hunter. He’s going to reach that bar, and then some. Archer’s a genius, really taking the whole refuge thing to the next level. I mean, we’re getting eleven abused horses—that’s a lot. But he’ll figure it out.” He shook his head. “Now, Ryder’s still more interested in cars and petite blondes than anything else, but he works hard when we need him.”
“How’s Renata?” Josie had always felt for Renata, Fisher’s twin sister. She couldn’t imagine having four brothers and Teddy Boone for a father.
“Renata’s working for the chamber of commerce. Does their PR and events and stuff.”
“Sounds like the Boones still own Stonewall Crossing.”
“Can’t help it if our people were competitive from the start. We don’t own it, exactly.”
“No? Just most of it?” She argued, “If I remember the little tour I took when I first moved in with dad, they said the town was named Stonewall Crossing because your great-grandfather put up stone walls to line his property.”
“Great-great-grandfather. Man is a territorial animal, Josie. Those walls are a surefire way to let people know where not to trespass.” Fisher shrugged.
“How is your father?” She’d missed him. Teddy Boone was a great barrel-chested man who let everyone know when he entered a room.
“Fine. He lives in the Lodge. He still misses Mom a lot. Think leading guests to check out the flowers when the hills are blooming, or hike, or bird-watch keeps him busy. In the hotter months, he’s with the aunts in Montana. He’s here now, so stop by and say hi. He’d love that.”
She nodded. “He must be so proud of everything you have accomplished.”
“Hunter started it, getting all successful. We couldn’t let him show us up, you know?” He swiped another gingerbread cookie. “That Boone competitive streak. You know Hunter. Hell, I think you know Hunter best of all.” His expression turned serious—as serious as Fisher ever got.
“No, not really.”
“Aw, come on, Josie. That’s not true—”
“Years ago, maybe.” She put the sample plate behind the counter and began to wipe down the counter. “Why does everyone keep talking about the past?”
“What’s got you so worked up?”
She shut the display case with a little more force than necessary. “Nothing.”
“Right.”
“Moving on.” She shot him a look. “You dating anyone?”
He winked at her. “I’m flattered, but I don’t think that would go over too well with my brother.”
She hadn’t meant to yell, but she did. “Why the hell would Hunter care if I dated anyone? He’s married, remember?”
If she hadn’t been yelling, she might have heard the bell over the door jingle. But she didn’t. So Eli’s angry words took her by complete surprise. “My mom divorced my dad when I was three.”
Josie couldn’t think. Or speak.