Page 26 of Chasing Sunrise

Shelly poured ice from the freezer into an ice bucket.

“Do you need help?”

“The tea pitcher needs to make it onto the table.”

Amanda brought the cut-glass pitcher into the dining room. “Hi,” she greeted Hilly and Milly, twin sisters who looked to be in their seventies. They were enjoyable to be around. By the time everyone arrived, there were three men and twelve women in attendance. She loved having men in the group. They always brought a different perspective. Everyone did, one of the reasons she loved this group so much.

The chair next to her slid back, and Kasey plopped down in the seat. Hair damp, he smelled of a different cologne he’d worn last night—this one just as luscious.

“What are you doing?” she asked.

He held up a copy ofTo Each Her Own. “Joining.”

She squinted at him. “Why?”

“My mother used to make us read books and attend. I saw the book on the coffee table last night and picked it up.” He glanced around at everyone. “Is it okay I’m here? I know Hilly and Milly used to love for me to attend.”

The old women giggled. Milly said, “We do. Kasey has a unique viewpoint on things.”

“They love me,” he whispered to Amanda.

She raised her brows. “They seem to.”

A large brown and white husky padded into the room and sat at Kasey’s feet. The dog nudged his head against Kasey’s knee. He immediately rubbed the dog’s ears.

Kasey’s mother hustled into the room and stopped short when she saw the dog. “Edward, you weren’t invited.”

The dog didn’t act like he heard, although his ears pricked up.

Kasey smiled as he continued petting the dog.

“Edward,” she tried again.

“He’s fine, Mom. He’ll just sit here with me.”

“No, he won’t. We have people with allergies.”

Kasey stood up, and Edward immediately trailed him out of the room.

“Let’s get started,” Shelly said. “Amanda, since you chose the book, you begin.”

Without the dog, Kasey came back and sat beside her again.

“Okay. My biggest question is...” Amanda appreciated how everyone in the group could be honest and give their opinion without judgment or ridicule. Their ages ranged from twenty to over seventy.

Everyone except Amanda and Brett had a glass of wine in their hand during the discussion. The conversation remained lively and energetic. She liked seeing people interact and enjoy themselves. Kasey often took an opposite stance of the norm. She guessed he did it to watch people’s reactions. He always kept his contradictory attitude playful and challenging.

After the discussion, everyone mingled and ate. Amanda was standing beside Stan and Gloria when Kasey approached.

Gloria grimaced. “We saw Star Breeze this morning.”

Kasey sighed. “I’m sure everyone has. I’m surprised someone hasn’t said anything before now.”

Gloria loved gossip. “I can’t believe Harper broke up with you when you proposed.”

Everyone stopped talking and listened.

“You don’t owe anyone an explanation,” Amanda murmured.

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