Page 10 of Kisses Sweeter than Wine

Brad looped his arm around Lyra’s shoulders. “Sweetheart, that is not true. Weezer wouldn’t take the time to pick on you if she didn’t like you.”

Talbot knew that statement to be true.

“Then why does she treat you like you’re a king?” Lyra glared. “And me like I’m a stray cat that you picked up on the streets.”

“It wasn’t always that way.” Brad laughed. “Back in high school, she once taught one of the alpacas to chase me and nudge me in the ass. It wasn’t funny, but Weezer thought it was hilarious.”

Lyra covered her mouth. “I do remember that.”

So did Talbot, but she couldn’t reminisce with anyone. “That sounds mean,” she managed. “I appreciate you both coming over, but I don’t expect you to clean. I can do it on my own.”

“We honestly don’t mind.” Lyra glanced up at Brad. “You know, honey, if everything is exactly the same, it’s all got to be uncomfortable as hell, especially that mattress. Why don’t you see if Caleb, Sam, or someone is around and we can donate some of the stuff we were going to bring down to the mission house.”

Talbot swallowed her heartbeat.

Did no one move away from Candlewood Falls?

“That sounds like a perfect plan, but I will make Andy pay for it. Or at least knock something off this nice lady’s rent.” Brad tilted his head. “I didn’t get your name.”

“Talbot Grant and please, I don’t want you to go to any trouble for me. I’m only in town for three to four weeks. It’s not a big deal.”

Brad waved his cell. “We’re not taking no for an answer.” He jogged down the front steps and pressed his phone to his ear.

“May I come in?” Lyra asked.

“Oh. Yes.” Talbot stepped to the side. She sucked in a deep breath, letting it out slowly.

Lyra stood in the middle of the family room with a hand covering the center of her chest. “I remember the day I moved in. I’d just come back to Candlewood Falls with my kids after a bad divorce. Life was a struggle then, but everything’s changed.” She smiled. “What brings you to our quaint little town?”

“The woman I work for is going to be renovating a mansion in town.”

Lyra nodded. “Georgette’s house. Everyone is talking about this niece she left the place to. We’re all curious as to her plans.”

“That’s not for me to get into,” Talbot said. Until Claudia could get inside her aunt’s place, there was no plan other than to sell it. But they had no idea what kind of shape it was in, with the exception of the outside, which definitely needed some tender loving care.

Talbot had always had a flair for decorating. While she’d started out in housekeeping at the hotel back in Chicago, she’d moved her way up into hospitality until she finally landed as Claudia’s assistant, where she got to flex her muscles with some of the massive parties and banquets.

“Have you made your way into town yet?” Lyra asked.

“I have. It’s really delightful.”

Knock. Knock.

Brad stepped into the house. “I couldn’t get Sam or Caleb, but Merlot and his twin brothers are free. They will be here in ten minutes to help remove all this old furniture, and then we’ll go get the stuff we’re getting rid of.”

Shit. Shit. Triple shit. This was exactly the help Talbot didn’t need. “This is too much. I can’t ask you to do all this.”

“You’re not. Andy is and for my trouble, he’s knocking a week off your rent. You’ll be getting a refund by the end of the day. If you don’t, call me, because Andy is known for taking advantage.” Brad kissed Lyra on the cheek. “Besides, the stuff we’re getting rid of isn’t that much better.”

“But the mattress is one hundred percent more comfortable than the crap in the main bedroom,” Lyra said.

Brad stretched his back. “The few nights I slept here I thought it was going to destroy my spine.”

Lyra rolled her eyes. “No need for the dramatics, dear. That’s my job.”

“And here I thought it was my daughter’s job.” Brad laughed.

“You have a daughter?” Talbot hadn’t meant to ask the question, much less sound so surprised.

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