Page 15 of Call It Home

“This is how it starts,” I complained. “Friends get married. Friends have babies. Friends miss girls’ night out.”

Megan laughed. “It’s the cycle of life. Pretty soon, we’ll all be meeting at the playground instead.”

Bristol’s eyebrow raised. “Something you want to tell us?” she asked the sweet owner of the candy store in town.

Megan flushed a little. She had fallen in love over Christmas. Clay still worked in Charlotte for now, but he was working on a plan to move to Sterling Mill so Meg didn’t have to give up her store, Bliss Confections. “No. Of course not. It’s too soon for that. I’m just saying, it happens.”

My little sister nodded. “Priorities change.”

I couldn’t help but smile. She’d certainly learned that lesson the hard way. She understood what it was like to make it in a traditional man’s world, even more so than me. She’d stuck to her guns and learned all about cars from Gramps. She went on to become the crew engineer for our dad, who raced cars. Two separate accidents caused her to change paths, and now she ran a unique spin on an auto garage, was engaged, and was a soon-to-be stepmom. And like everything she tried, she was mastering it. Anyone could tell she adored Lexi, Reid’s daughter from a previous marriage.

Bristol’s best friend and business partner, Paige, snorted. “We need to pledge that doesn’t happen, sickness aside.”

We all toasted with our drinks. “So, what’s new with everyone?” I asked.

Teagan bit her lip and focused on her glass while she stirred her drink with the tiny straw that came with it.

“Spill it,” Paige demanded.

Teagan laughed quietly. “All I can say is I’m working on a really big sale that will have a huge commission. I can’t give you the details yet, but you’ll find out soon.”

I thought about some of the big homes in the area. “It’s not that old house further up the mountain you love so much, is it?” It had been her dream to own the abandoned old manor ever since I’d known her in high school. She’d been saving her money for just as long, and we’d spent some long hours thinking about all the things that could be done to restore it to its original glory with modern conveniences.

She shook her head vehemently. “I wouldn’t be excited if it was. No, this is something completely different.”

“You’re such a tease,” Bristol commented with a laugh. “But at least you have something big going on. I’m starting to get an itch to restore a car or something.”

I bumped her shoulder with mine. “You already have a project going on. You’ve got a wedding to plan.”

She grimaced. “Is it bad I’d almost just rather elope?”

“What?” Paige and I exclaimed at the same time.

“No way,” Paige said with a frown. “I’ll never forgive you if you leave me out of your big day. I’ll put shampoo in all of your gas tanks or paint all of your tools pink.” She pointed her finger at her best friend. “You’re not depriving us of seeing you all dressed up and doing something traditional. No way, girl. Don’t test me.”

We all laughed while Bristol rubbed her cheek with her middle finger, making us laugh even harder.

“Touch my tools and I’ll put hair removal cream in your shampoo bottles. You’ll be starting a new trend at your salon, but you won’t have repeat customers.”

I snorted and shook my head. No one was worried. Those two were best friends who’d given up a lot to go into business together to create the Head to Tow Garage and Salon. It was a unique concept where anyone, especially women, could come and have their car serviced while they got their hair cut or had a manicure. Bristol ran the garage, and Paige, a former stylist for movies, ran the salon. Both sides had been met with great success.

“Same,” I added. “You and Reid just need to set the date, and we’ll help you plan. It’ll be fun!”

“Weellll,” Bristol hedged. “Cool your engines. Reid and I actually have been talking about a date. We want to wait until Lexi is out of school, but we’re thinking shortly after that.”

I did some quick calculations in my head. It was almost February now. We wouldn’t leave to go to Colorado until early April. Six weeks later…

“Yeah, I’ll be here,” I said, thinking out loud.

Bristol wrinkled her nose. “Of course, you will. Where else would you be?”

All of their eyes turned to me as I sipped the last of my margarita, a little smile hovering around my lips.

“Girl, you better spill it,” Paige demanded. “I swear, you Allen sisters can be so tight-lipped.”

“Hey.” Bristol pushed into Paige with her shoulder, who snort-laughed and nudged her back.

I ignored their banter. “I’m going to be one of the competitors on the next season ofRenovation Station.”

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