Page 67 of The Party Line

“How was your day at home with the family?” I asked.

“I had a fantastic day with my family. We went to church and then went back to the house for dinner. Mama fried chicken, and we all pitched in to help. Then we played board games. They were still at it when I left.”

“I love fried chicken,” I said, trying to turn the conversation to food rather than answering her question about what was going on.

Connor opened a bottle and handed it to her. “It should still be cold. Sounds like you really enjoyed your Sunday.”

“I did, and Mama is so excited about my job here. She even said”—she paused and took a long drink—“that if I ever quit, she’s applying for the job. Of course, she wouldn’t live here, but she’d be a good employee. Not that I’m even thinking about turning in my resignation. Not until I have enough money saved up for a semester of college. You’ve made me think that I can do anything, Lila.”

Connor gave my shoulder a gentle squeeze. “She’s good at that, isn’t she?”

“You bet she is,” Gina Lou said. “I’m going to take this in the house and finish it off in a long, hot bath. I just love that claw-foot tub.” Shepaused as she turned. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to butt into whatever y’all were talking about.”

“You didn’t,” Connor said. “We’ve got a tub like that at Grandpa’s place, and it is pretty great when you need to soak tired muscles.”

Gina Lou slid a long sly wink at me as she went inside the house. “See y’all later.”

“Did that kiss affect you like it did me?” he asked.

“I wouldn’t know, since I’m not you. But if it curled your toes, then the answer is yes. I’m still feelin’ it.”

“Have you always been this blunt?” he asked.

I snuggled down against him and laid my hand on his chest. His heart was pounding almost as hard as mine still was. “Yes, I have. I inherited that trait from Aunt Gracie. Jasper says I’m as bossy as she was, too. Which reminds me, I have to go take him some supper and medicine.”

“And I have to go home. Grandpa wants me to drive him to Sunday-night church service since we missed this morning.” He kissed me on the forehead and stood up.

“That’s all I get?” I teased.

“One more little make-out session like we just had, and I would be begging to spend the night,” he flirted right back. “See you in the strawberry field tomorrow morning.”

“Eight o’clock,” I said as I pushed up out of the swing. “I’ll be the one in the floppy hat.”

Chapter Nineteen

Ifell into bed on Monday night even more exhausted than I’d been on Saturday, and Tuesday wasn’t any better. The only two things that kept me going were the memory of that make-out session with Connor on Sunday and that on Wednesday we would be finished until fall.

On Wednesday morning, I woke up early and almost hit the snooze button, but there was no way I was going to let the weeds get the best of me. I would survive one more day. Still, I groaned when my feet hit the floor. “There’s a reason not to do anything stupid on March 15, like make a decision to learn the strawberry business.”

The mirror in the bathroom gave a loud testimony that I had grown at least a hundred new freckles. My eyes had bags under them, and my lips stayed dry no matter how much ChapStick I used. “If Connor tells me I’m beautiful today, I will know that he’s feeding me a line of pure crap.”

The wonderful smell of coffee wafted up the stairs and put a little extra spring in my step. Then I got a whiff of cinnamon, and my mouth started watering. “You cooked breakfast again. Bless your heart—and I mean that in the best possible way,” I said when I entered the kitchen.

Gina Lou piled french toast onto a platter. “Well, your boyfriend could have made it, but he hasn’t been around since Sunday. I’m a grown woman, Lila. Connor doesn’t have to leave before daylight because I live here. It won’t embarrass me if he stays over and has breakfast with us.”

“Thank you for that, but we haven’t taken that step yet. We’ve only kissed a few times,” I admitted as I loaded my plate with toast and scrambled eggs. And people calledmeblunt! How could someone younger than me be so direct about relationships?

Refreshing, isn’t it?Aunt Gracie was back again.

My phone rang, and when I saw it was Mama I put her on speaker. Gina Lou turned to face me and popped both hands on her hips. “Hot dang, girl! What are you waiting for? Christmas?”

Before I could reply or even say hello, Mama asked, “Who’s waiting for Christmas?”

“Where are y’all?”

“On the road, but I miss you already—but what’s this about Christmas?” she asked.

“I was wondering if we’ll put up a tree at Christmas,” Gina Lou answered.

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