Page 42 of Halfway to Hell

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Was there a way she could help without stepping on toes? She wasn’t sure yet, but she’d figure it out. For now, the soft murmur of the kitchen and the scent of breakfast were enough to keep her grounded.

“Texas, she needs work boots if she’s going to help out around here,” Kathryn commented, topping off his coffee.

“Mom.” Texas stared at his mother until she stopped yapping her jaw. “Sunday was in an accident five days ago. She doesn’t need to be lifting heavy crates.”

Sunday tried to interject but was gently hushed when Aunt Helen placed a hand on her shoulder. With a quiet sigh, she resigned herself to being talked about—and talked over—which didn’t sit well with her. Maybe this was just how families worked. She wouldn’t know.

When Shelley and DeeDee, Texas’s brothers’ wives, casually moved the two older women out of the way, Sunday bit her tongue to keep from laughing. Both women shot her a quick wink as they set plates of food on the table.

Kathryn’s hand froze mid-pour, the steam from the coffee swirling between them like a tense barrier. She blinked, caught off guard by Texas’s sharp tone.

“An accident?” Kathryn’s voice softened, the edge fading as she glanced at Sunday.

Sunday met her gaze briefly, offering a small, tired smile that said,It’s okay, really.

“Ange, why didn’t you tell us?” his mom asked, shocked that he hadn’t mentioned Sunday being in an accident.

“I just did, Mother.”

“Well, how is she doing?” Kathryn asked Texas.

“Mom, she’s right there. Maybe ask Sunday.”

“Sunday, don’t take offense. I’m always—” Kathryn was cut off by comments coming from around the table.

“In everyone’s business,” Roan said, scooping up some scrambled eggs.

“Ignores the person she’s talking about,” Shelley added, passing the biscuits to Clause.

“Thinks everyone wants to be an apple picker,” Clause added and laughed, buttering his toast.

“Asks for grandbabies daily,” DeeDee chimed in, lifting her coffee cup.

Texas’s dad chuckled as his kids ganged up on their mother. “Okay, you guys need to lay off your mother. She means well.”

Texas glanced at Sunday to see how she was handling his family. He caught her covering her mouth, trying not to laugh. He probably should’ve warned her they were nuts.

“That’s right, she means well. But she’s nosey as hell,” Helen said, shaking a fork at Kathryn.

Sunday lost the battle and burst out laughing.

Hearing the sound, Texas chuckled. It was good to hear her laugh. Handing her the plate of breakfast potatoes, he leaned in and whispered, “You’ll get used to them. Maybe.”

After breakfast, his family asked Sunday to stay at the house while the boys headed off to work. Feeling like she should, Sunday agreed.

Once the kitchen was put to rights, DeeDee and Shelley left for the gift shop, leaving Sunday alone with Kathryn and Helen. She braced herself for the interrogation, but it never came.

Instead, the two older women began offering advice on how to keep Texas in line.

Sunday tried to explain that she and Texas weren’t in a relationship, but both women just smiled and kept talking.

His mom had also given her a list of shops in town where she could get anything she wanted or needed. Sunday appreciated the information. She did need to pick up a few things.

Noticing how the morning had slipped away, Helen and Kathryn asked if she’d like a tour of the orchard’s restaurant and gift shop.

“I’d love one, if you have time,” Sunday replied.

“All we have is time,” Helen laughed, like she was in on a private joke.