Page 35 of Guarded Secrets
“Oh.” Antonia looked deflated.
“I wouldn’t write them off,” Delaney remarked. “Get those two together and you can practically see the sexy vibes bouncing between them. It’s only a matter of time.”
That perked Antonia up. “Sexy vibes are an excellent start.” The bell over the door chimed and two older men entered the store. “Let me see if I can help these gentlemen. You girls have fun poking around.”
A half hour later they walked out having found three classic rock albums from the list of artists Abby had provided.
“Let’s go to Three Sisters. I’m jonesing for a cinnamon roll,” Delaney suggested. “Hey, do you think I’m having a pregnancy craving? Walker will have to run into town every other day if my pregnancy craving is Rico’s cinnamon rolls.”
“Cam makes really good cinnamon rolls too,” Keeley reminded her.
“True. Her apple pie cinnamon rolls are to die for. Once we open for the season, that’ll work. I have to plan ahead for these things.”
“Okay, friend, let’s go. Even if it’s not pregnancy related, we can still get cinnamon rolls.”
“True story.”
They walked the short distance down Main Street and stepped into the heavenly smells of Three Sisters Bakery with its wondrous blend of coffee, cinnamon, and baking bread.
As they stepped in, a dark-haired woman with a little girl was heading toward the door.
Delaney stopped short. “Melanie?”
The woman’s eyes widened in recognition. “Oh my god. Delaney? And Keeley?”
Melanie continued to clutch the little girl’s hand as she gave the women one-armed hugs. “I can’t believe I ran into you two. I was trying to get up the nerve to call you.” She looked flustered. “This is my daughter Adelyn.”
She put a hand on Adelyn’s shoulder. “Addy, these are friends from when Grandma and I lived here before you were born. This is Miss Delaney, and this is Miss Keeley.”
“Hi there, Addy.” Keeley smiled at the little girl. She guessed Addy to be around five years old. She had a sturdy little body, and shared her mom’s dark hair and brown eyes.
“I love the sparkly unicorn on your shirt,” Delaney said.
“It’s an alicorn because it has wings.” When she spoke, Addy showed a gap where she’d lost her two bottom baby teeth.
“Really?” Delaney cocked her head. “I’ve never heard of an alicorn.”
“They’re mythical creatures. I like reading about mythical creatures.”
“Me too.” Delaney grinned.
“Are you living in Sisters now?” Keeley asked Melanie.
Melanie ran a hand down her daughter’s braid. She cleared her throat before responding.
“We’re visiting but are thinking about moving back to Sisters. Mom moved to live close by when Addy was a baby, but I know she’d like to come back here.” She shook her head. “I guess it’s the perspective of age, but when I was a kid, I didn’t appreciate that Sisters is truly a beautiful little town.” She glanced at Delaney and squared her shoulders. “I got your email, Delaney. I’m sorry I couldn’t be more helpful. I heard you and Walker got married. I’m so glad.” The words came out in a rush. “I hate that I had anything to do with separating you two or his wrongful imprisonment.”
“I know we’d like to better understand what happened.”
Melanie seemed to give herself a shake. “I’ve got to get. We’re in town with my mom. Addy and I came in here while she’s meeting up with a friend. We’re heading back home to Stockton this afternoon.” She turned to address Delaney. “I know we need to talk. Maybe we can set something up, with Walker too, if he’d like. I think we all want to understand what happened back then. I can’t this trip, but soon.” She looked down at her daughter. “Mom and I both want to move back to Sisters, and if we can make that happen, it’ll be this summer so Addy can start kindergarten here in the fall.”
Delaney nodded. “Let’s exchange numbers so we can stay in touch.”
***
Keeley spent the afternoon hanging out with her dad. She brought down the turntable from the attic and they played the records she’d bought. They sang along with Mick and the boys while Iggy gave up watching squirrels in exchange for the spinning turntable.
Keeley enjoyed her dad’s laughter as Iggy’s head spun around following the record. She stroked the orange cat, making him purr, while listening to her dad’s story of him and three college friends driving through the night to attend a music festival featuring The Band. Which was great until he’d insisted he wanted to call one ofthose friends. Reminding him the friend had passed away was awful. It was like he was losing him for the first time.
