Page 461 of Small Town Firsts
“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?”
“Here and there. He flits around like the wind.”
I could tell that didn’t exactly make Joe happy. Kai was a good deal younger than us, and I’d been long gone before he was even out of elementary school.
“He’s actually on his way back from Denver.” Anna set the green pitcher on the table, fussing with one of the blooms before sitting next to me. “He was teaching skiing of all things.”
Joe shook his head.
“So, it was your idea to make Sully go shirtless?”
My jaw dropped. “God, no. I found him like that. Evidently, the dishwasher wasn’t hooked up correctly.”
Sully picked then to come inside with Danny in tow, a package of Fruit Snacks in hand. He waved and went to the other side of the table to sit near Joe.
“And since when do you forget to turn off the water?” Joe asked Sully.
“Since there were multiple lines. I don’t know who did that set up, but they were idiots. All fixed now.”
“Thanks to you and your gleaming chest.” Joe’s voice was deadpan.
“Dad.”
Then Joe’s booming laugh filled the room. “You should see your face.”
Sully rolled his eyes and went to the cabinet for a big pot for the pasta. He filled it and set it on the range to cook. I popped up and crossed to him. “Oh, this is a lovely range.”
“Thanks.” Anna rose to meet me. “Do you cook?”
“I dabble. Only thing I miss from Los Angeles is my kitchen.”
“So, definitely not your ex-husband?”
I pressed my lips together a minute before a giggle escaped. “Not at all, actually.”
“Good to know.” Anna glanced at Sully. “Isn’t it?”
His gaze locked on mine. “Very.”
I tucked my fingers into the pockets of my dress so I didn’t twist them together like a nervous idiot. “I’d be happy to trade recipes.”
“That sounds wonderful.” Anna hooked her arm through mine. “Come sit down. I want to hear all about what you’ve been up to.”
