Page 33 of Never Fall Again

“Which is?” Cal directed the question to Landry.

“Favors is my livelihood. If I don’t have a place to sell my pottery, my income drops dramatically, which means I no longer have the money to build my house. It isn’t that I don’t want my house. But the architect told us that Favors wouldn’t be a lengthy build. We’re probably only talking a delay of two to three months. I can use that time to firm up the parts of the plans I haven’t made final decisions on.”

Cal didn’t like this. Not one bit.

“As much as I hate to say it, I can see your point.” Connorgave Bronwyn an apologetic grin. “Sorry for jumping down your throat, baby sister.”

Cal didn’t miss the way Landry’s eyes widened at the endearment.

“I’ll forgive you, you old goat. If”—Bronwyn paused—“you build our store as fast as possible so you can build Landry’s forever home.”

Connor pulled Bronwyn in for a hug. “You know you should put it out for bid.”

Chad squeezed Bronwyn from the other side. “He’s right.”

Cal pointed to the three of them and directed his words to Landry. “You see this? This is why I could never get by with anything growing up. As soon as I decided to do something sketchy, Bronwyn would run to Connor and Chad. They were just enough older than we were that they thought they could boss us around.”

“Nothing much has changed there,” Connor said. “Which is why I still think you need to put it out for bid.”

“Can you start work in a month?” Bronwyn asked.

Cal looked at Landry.

She leaned toward him. “Please, Cal. I want Favors finished first.”

How was he supposed to say no when she was being all earnest and sweet? “If the weather holds, and if the plans are in order, and if we can get the permits, and the materials, then yes, technically we could start in a month. But there’re a lot of ifs there.”

“I checked with two other firms we’ve done business with.” Bronwyn’s grin was smug. “The earliest either of them could start is January. So without putting it out for bid, I can eliminate them from the equation based on that fact alone. One of my uncles contacted a firm that said they could start in two weeks, but I refuse to consider them. I’m still not convinced they weren’t trying to sell photos to the paparazzi the last time we used them.” Bronwyn squeezed Connor’s arm. “I’d already decided to ask you to put abid in. Bumping Landry’s house wasn’t on my radar. But she can be very persuasive when she wants something.”

“Clearly.” Chad rolled his eyes.

Bronwyn released Connor and laced her fingers together. “Can we agree to meet officially on Monday to review the plans and sign some contracts?”

Connor extended his hand. “We’ll build you something beautiful, Bronwyn.”

“I know.”

“Thank you.” Landry mouthed the words to Cal.

He couldn’t bring himself to say “You’re welcome.” She’d been so excited when they met last week. Now she was putting everything on hold.

“Soup’s on!” Uncle Michael called out.

“Are y’all gonna stay to eat?” Chad nodded toward the tables set up in the garage. “There’s plenty.”

Cal watched Landry for her reaction, but she was looking around the space, eyes darting everywhere with a hint of worry creeping in. Cal touched her elbow. “She’s over there.” He pointed to a group of kids standing around his Uncle Phillip. “Uncle Phillip’s giving them the standard speech. Papa and Granny Quinn go first. Then the rest of the adults and any kids who still need their parents to help them. Kids old enough to get their own plate go last.”

Landry took a step closer and whispered, “Are five-year-old girls trusted to get their own plates? Because if I leave Eliza to her own devices, she won’t eat a single vegetable.”

Cal pointed to where his grandmother had taken her place at the head of the line. “Granny’s house. Granny’s rules. It’s been this way for as long as I can remember. Granny can be as tart as a crab apple. But when it comes to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, she’s as sweet as a cream puff.”

Landry rubbed her forehead. “I guess it’s okay.”

Chad rubbed his hands together. “Y’all can stand around and chat if you want. I’m starving. Come on, Landry. Naomi wants to talk to you about Abby’s birthday party.”

Connor wrapped an arm around Bronwyn’s shoulders. “You too. Let’s go. Carla will strangle me if I don’t bring you to her right now. She’s missed you something awful.”

Cal watched as Landry was swept into the tide of Quinns. Her expression was a mixture of delight and befuddlement.

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