Page 56 of Just Act Natural

“Naturally. She invited Grant to family dinner within thirty seconds of meeting him.”

“Classic. We’ll come back around to Josh. Tell me everything about the new guy, please.”

“He’s…” I don’t know where to start telling her about Grant. His unfailing kindness about my cluelessness on the trail? His easygoing nature that made me feel like no matter how bad the situation, things were going to be okay? His low-key flirtation? His patience? That freaking dimple?

Hope sighs, but it’s not her usual sound of exasperation with me. More like…a romantic sigh. “You’re really smitten with this guy.”

“What? I didn’t even say anything.”

“That’s the point.” She grins like she just figured out all my secrets. “You’re speechlessover him.”

“Are we talking about Lila’s new man?”

Wren Krause pops in from the pass-through that leads to their family’s bakery next door. The easy access is a great feature for shoppers, but less so for anyone wanting to tell their sister something and keep it just between them.Ahem.

“You already told Wren?” We’re all friends, but I’m still disappointed she couldn’t wait half a day to confirm or deny Mom’s stories.

Of course, I haven’t told Hope anything, and I’ve done nothing but confirm, confirm, confirm.

“Your mom told our mom when she grabbed a pie about an hour ago.” Wren’s older sister Tess appears behind her. “She used the word ‘adonis’ to describe him, so it’s fair to say our curiosity has been piqued.”

I peer behind the blond sisters into the bakery. Normally, there’s a line running all the way back to the door over there. Now? Zip. “Does every business on Maple Street shut down at this part of the afternoon to share gossip?”

“Hey, we have gossip to trade back.” Wren bobs her eyebrows, tilting her head toward Tess. “If you give us valuable enough info.”

Tess narrows her eyes on her sister, and I almost expect her to clamp a hand over her mouth. “There’s nowehere.”

“That’s right, it’s all you.”

Tess is the sunniest of sunshines, but I think a little steam comes off of her.

“How are you settling into your new apartment?” I ask. She moved out of the family home she shared with her mom and sister, and into a place with just her and her five-year-old son about a week before my trip. She’s been excited about the change, but nervous how he would adjust to it. I was so busy finalizing everything for the Fourth Fest, I didn’t have a chance to ask for an update before I left.

Also, it’s a great time for a deflection.

The smuggest smile plays over Wren’s face. “It all goes together.”

I look from one sister to the other. “The news and the apartment?”

Wren nods slowly, but Tess rolls her eyes.

“I’m so lost.”

Two women walk into The Painted Daisy and startoohingandahhingover the pretty contents on the shelves. Excellent. I didn’t even have to deflect again.

“Let’s meet at Delish after we close up.” Hope isn’t suggesting. It’s more of a command.

“I don’t know…” My hesitation is based squarely on the fact that I’m bound to tell these women everything if we have zero interruptions. I’m just not completely sure yet whichversionof everything I’m going to tell them.

“Come on, you must be starved after eating camp meals for so many days.”

My stomach chooses that moment to remind me that yes, in fact, I am famished. “Okay. But only because I need food.”

Wren and Tess agree to the meet up, too, and start to slip back over to their side of the pass-through.

“Wait.” I take a few steps after them. “Does August like the new place?”

Tess’s son is the sweetest little guy ever. He treats everyone he meets like his new best friend, and he’s got a little-kid way of speaking that makes everything he says cuter than cute. He’s well out of the baby zone, but he tends to bring on a case of baby fever whenever I spend time with him.

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