Page 24 of Only One I Ever Wanted

I turned back around and couldn’t stop a smile until I saw Anna and Joe Murdock standing on the porch. “Crap.”

Sullivan crowded into me. “Sorry about that.”

I glanced up at him. Somehow I didn’t think he was sorry at all, and I wasn’t sure what to do with that information. “Hi, Mr. and Mrs. Murdock.”

“You know it’s Joe and Anna.” Anna leaned against her husband. “Especially now.”

I was pretty sure my neck and face were the same color as my poppy sundress. I turned up the volume on my smile, ignoring the fact that they probably saw us kissing the hell out of each other. “For you.” I held out the daisies to Anna.

“They’re gorgeous. Thank you.”

“I brought brownies from Sweet Beat.”

“Well, if my son didn’t kiss the stuffing out of you, I would.”

Anna elbowed him.

Joe chuckled. “Nice to see you again, Nora. How’s your dad doing?”

“Good. He just got back from snowbirding down in Georgia. He says he’s ready for golf when you are.”

“Now that’s what I like to hear.” He rubbed Anna’s back. “Hope you’re in the mood for spaghetti and meatballs.”

“Always ready for Anna’s pasta.”

“Aren’t we all.” Joe rubbed his flat belly. “C’mon in.”

“I’m just going to get Danny.” Sullivan handed the bakery box to his dad. “I’ll be right back.”

“You’re leaving me?” I whispered.

He laughed. “Be right back.”

I followed his parents inside. “Oh, gosh. This is much different than the last time I was here.”

The kitchen was full-on farmhouse with white shiplap and butcher block counters. Soft blue cabinets with nickel hardware wreathed the entire room with recessed lighting, giving off a soft light against the fading sunlight. A massive table filled half the room and was set for five.

“Oh, you know me. Always like to change things up.” Anna went to a cabinet and pulled down a pretty green pitcher and went to the sink. “These are lovely. Just what we needed for the table.”

“Can I help with anything?”

“No, you’re fine. Would you like wine?”

“Uh, sure.”

A far cry from my days in the backyard with iced tea. I wandered to the wide, picture window and looked out on the endless yard. How many days had I crashed out there when we’d been too lazy to go to the lake?

“I’m sure the valley seems quiet after LA.”

I turned to Joe’s voice and returned to the table, sinking into a seat near him. “Very. I love it though. Takes nineteen years to get anywhere in LA. I can drive through Hope Street in less than ten minutes, even when it’s busy.”

“Not much has changed around here.”

“Oh, I wouldn’t say that. I saw they had to build onto the high school, and I heard that you even have a decent football team finally.”

Joe laughed. “Kai was all about football, unlike my other boys.”

“Where is Kai these days?”

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