Page 10 of Noble Neighbor
“Now, y’all enjoy your meal, and our Clemmie-boyhas his cellphone if you come across any trouble tonight.” His expression tightened, turning serious.“You call. You hear?”
Sunny only nodded, clutching the bedding to her chest, the lump in her throat preventing speech, something she figured hadn’t escaped Frank’s notice.
“We look out for our neighbors here,” he added softly. “Y’all not on your own anymore, Sunny-girl.”
With a tip of his hat, Frank had climbed into his pristinepink vehicle and driven away, a trail of dirt in his wake, and Sunny had watched until the man turned onto the narrow county road separating the Jones girls from the Armstrong boys.
Maybe that’s why you’re on my mind today, Daddy. You and Frank are cut from the same cloth, she thought, swiping a hand across her damp eyes.
“Enough rumination. And best keep that separation,”she muttered into the morning air before turning to reenter the kitchen. One more cup of coffee and she’d be ready to face her busy day.
*
“Soo,” the amused voice drawled, “you’re the woman who’s gotten Felicity’s panties in a twist?”
Sunny looked up, her startled gaze colliding withamused honey-brown eyes inspecting her from beneath a heavy fringe of dark hair.
She straightened from helping Molly settle onto the beanbag with the large book on her lap and faced the grinning woman with a frown. “Felicity?”
How was it possible for that smile to stretch even wider? The stranger focused her gaze on Molly for a split second before slipping her arm through Sunny’s, pulling her aside.
“DeputyFelicity Graham. She and Beau responded to a call out by your place?”
Intrigued, and strangely drawn to the affable woman before her, Sunny asked, “Why would she be upset with me?”
“Because” — the woman leaned closer, lowering her voice a fraction — “you’re competition.”
Sunny cocked her head. “Competition?”
“Yup.” The woman emphasized thep.
“But why—” Her eyes widened, making the connection. “Ah. My neighbor.” Sunny’s lips quirked. “Isn’t Frank a bit old for her?”
Her companion blinked, but her astonishment only lasted a split second. She followed it up with a loud snort. “Girl, Ilikeyou. I’m Bella, Beau’s sister. Hisoldertwin sister. And I never let him forget I popped out twelve minutes ahead of him.”
This woman — Bella, Sunny repeated to herself — had shared a womb with the serious sheriff? “You couldn’t be more different.”
Bella chuckled. “I know. Unbelievable, isn’t it?” She shrugged, sighing dramatically. “Beau spent his childhood cleaning up after my shenanigans, and the day I married Nate, he wiped his hands of me. And helaughed,laughed, when I birthed my own two hellions.”She pointed to the right, and Sunny’s eyes fell upon the dark-haired boy and girl who’d invited Kenzie to build a puzzle the moment they’d entered the café-cum-bookstore, Books ’n Bakes.
The last couple of days had been filled with settling into their home, and even though being just the three of them was their norm, Sunny decided it was time they ventured into Clearbrook, get to know their surroundings and the people inhabiting it.
Finding the well-stocked establishment in the small town had taken Sunny by surprise, but it had been very welcome. She loved to read, was instilling the love for books in her girls, and bonus, from the aroma in the air, the coffee would be good.
“Well, you can be proud of them, Bella. They’re friendly and quickly roped Kenzie in.”
“They’re great kids, yeah. You up for a cup of coffee? I even serve those fancy big city drinks.”
“You own this place?”
Bella nodded, flinging her arms wide. “All mine. I love books. I love coffee and cake. Put them together, and I’m in heaven.”
Sunny scanned the long, spacious shop. Tastefully decorated in rich autumn colors, the area split into three sections. One side held shelves crammed with books, new and used. A couple of people browsed; another was at the till chatting to the salesperson.
On the other end lay the café counter, a display cabinet filled with delectable goodies, and about a half-dozen tables of varying sizes. Three matronly women huddled close around a table while casting Sunny surreptitious looks.
A living room setting with comfortable couches, scattered armchairs, and low tables, complete with an area catering to children, split the bookshelves fromthe cafe. A young woman — teenager, maybe — quietlysat in a corner, engrossed in some reading. It was a warm, welcoming setting.
Bella slipped behind the café counter. “What’s your poison, Sunny Jones?”
