Page 16 of Home Tears

“Are you kidding me?” Kate snorted, taking the cup. “I might have to deal with Crabby out there, but trust me when I say that this is the most fun our town has had in a year.”

“Really?”

“Oh, hell yeah.” Taking a sip, she continued, “And speaking of the town, that’s why I’m here. I know Jonah mentioned the fair, but I don’t think you have a complete understanding of what’s going on.” She raised her cup toward Dani. “I’m here to fill you in.”

Dani hid her smile.

Suddenly a more reserved expression came over Kate’s face. The little spark dimmed in her eyes, and her mouth moved into a serious line. “I’m taking some liberties coming to you and talking about this, but I hope that’s okay with you. Also, I feel like I’m already involved because of my sour-puss partner out there.”

Dani prepared herself. “I’m ready.” She nodded at Kate, folding her hands on her lap. Her own coffee was left on the table. Dani had a feeling she needed to hear this head-on. No distractions.

“Politics. That’s what this town is about. Small. Town. Politics. And you, my dear, just threw yourself smack in the middle of it. You see, most of this town worshipped your little sister, blessed be her name, but…your other sister—she’s been walking around this town like she’s got a crown on that head of hers.” A hardened look entered Kate’s eyes. “Most of us are tired of it. Really tired of it, and that’s where you come in.”

“Me?”

“Yep, because you are going to take Jake back from her. We all know he was rightfully yours in the first place.” She leaned forward. “And when you do—”

Ah. Kate really didn’t like Julia. Dani nodded, filling in the blanks. “Julia will be a puddle.”

“Exactly.” Kate lifted her cup in a salute. “And her group will be knocked out of power. People like Jake in the community, but they don’t like him with Julia.”

“And I’m supposed to be the one to break them up.”

“Exactly.” Kate beamed at her, missing the sarcasm in Dani’s voice.

“Except that I have no intention of getting back together with Jake.”

“Really?” Her eyes rounded, like a sad puppy dog. “You don’t?”

“I don’t.”

“Are you sure? I thought I saw a flirt going on yesterday.”

“No flirt.”

“No?”

Dani shook her head. “No.”

“You sure?” Kate asked again.

“I’m sure.”

“Can I ask why not?”

“I didn’t come home with an agenda for small-town politics or to knock my sister off her throne. I came home…just to come home.”

“Well, I’m disappointed.” Kate sighed, leaning back in her seat with her shoulders slumped. The battle just defeated her. “I was so hoping. You stole my entire thunder I had going all day yesterday. I had everything worked out in my mind and there’d be ‘happily ever afters’ all around for everyone.”

“Why don’t you steal Jake from Julia?” Dani would’ve laughed if she hadn’t been taking a sip of coffee as she saw the horror come in to Kate’s eyes. “Or not.”

“Hell no. I like him as my partner, but that’s it for me. Man.” She sighed again, the corners of her mouth dipping down. “This just means that Julia has him for good. Jake’s never dated outside the O’Hara gene pool. He’s doomed forever.”

“Maybe he’s actually happy with her?”

“No. That can’t be.” Kate shook her head. “I was so hoping to get you on board.”

“You said the rest of you are tired of her. Who’s the rest of you?”

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