Page 10 of No Angels

“I don’t know.”

She sounds defeated and I need to distract her. “Are you sure there’s nothing you need me to fix besides the fence line?”

“I’ve been meaning to check the propane level in the tank outside. Mom can’t remember when she filled it up.”

“Done. Are you sure there’s nothing else?” I want to ask if she’ll let me fix her.

“No.”

I get up and make it to the door before her hand lands on my forearm. I can feel her touch even through my fleece-lined flannel. “Yeah?” I clear my throat and ask.

“Thanks, Callihan. For everything. I appreciate the way you’ve taken care of her and the farm and the store. I know it wasn’t easy and I want you to know I’m grateful.”

“I didn’t do it so I could hold it over your head.”

“I know. You did it because that’s who you are. The guy who takes care of people.”

“I would have taken care of you too if you’d let me.” I want to take back the raw confession as soon as it leaves my mouth.

“I know that too.” She removes her hand, her expression inscrutable. “Be careful out there and make sure you come in for lunch if you’re still here. I’m making Mom’s cheesy potato soup.”

“I will,” I reassure her without looking back. And then I hightail it out of there before I lose the last shred of my dignity and beg her to stay in Willow Creek so I can show her how well I’ll take care of her.

Chapter Four

Bianca

Farrah’s friends are alllaid back and happily in love. Not the least bit catty. They could easily become my inner circle.

“I have a Bianca Cassidy playlist in my streaming account,” Taren tells me.

“I think those days might be behind me,” I confess. “I don’t think the vocal surgery worked.”

Emma and Sarah’s eyes darken in sympathy and all four of them gasp.

“That’s a tragedy.”

Sarah’s observation is like the twist of a blade between my ribs. “I hope all I need to do is rest my voice and do the exercises my therapist insisted on.”

Emma cocks her head to the side. “What’ll you do if a return to Broadway isn’t in the cards?”

“I guess I’ll have to figure something out.”

“There’s always the feed store. It’s the only one in town and some of the guys your Mom hires are disrespectful idiots.”

“I think Mike Callihan has been helping her run it.”

Farrah glowers. “Then I’m going to have a word with him about the way some of them talk about my sister. I’m surprised River hasn’t already taken care of it.”

Taren raises a brow. “I know you’re protective since the two of you made up, but how do you know River hasn’t already taken care of it?”

“I feel like I’m missing essential intel,” I say as my gaze flashes back and forth between the two of them.

Sarah draws me close so she whisper in my ear. “Farrah’s talking about her half-sister Roxie. She’s with River. He used to be her farmhand and he’s a lot younger. But he worships the groundshe walks on. Even though he’s a golden retriever, I’m pretty sure he’d pulverize anyone he heard talking smack.”

“Willow Creek seems to have a lot of recent happily ever afters.”

Emma must have a sarcasm detector, because she’s the one that laughs. “I didn’t believe in them either. But Willow Creek has a way of making lemonade out of the lemons in your life.”

---