called home. Though the rooms upstairs were dark, lights shone in the kitchen.
That meant one, if not both, of her roommates had already started the day. It also meant if she entered through the back, she’d be asked all sorts of questions. Questions she wasn’t sure she was ready to answer.
She glanced longingly at the front door, but in her heart she knew that would only postpone the inevitable. Squaring her shoulders, she followed the sidewalk to the rear of the house and pushed open the screen door.
“I’m home,” she called out in a cheery tone.
“Perfect timing.” Anna turned from the stove, a large wooden spoon in hand. “The oatmeal is almost ready.”
While Stacie was dressed in yesterday’s clothes, Anna had on a raspberry-and-cream-colored summer dress with matching sandals. Lauren was more casual. Like Stacie, the psychologist wore jeans and a cotton shirt. But Lauren’s shirt was crisp and freshly ironed, not rumpled from a night on the floor.
“You’re making breakfast?” Stacie couldn’t keep the surprise from her voice. Though Anna was a good cook, she normally stayed out of the kitchen.
“Anna has gone domestic.” Lauren glanced up from the New York Times, a wry smile on her lips. “I’m not sure what to make of it, but if it means a hot breakfast, I’m all for it.”
“I was in the mood for oatmeal,” Anna said, “and you weren’t around.”
“Because she spent the night with Josh.” Lauren raised a coffee cup to her lips, but didn’t take a drink. Instead she peered at Stacie over the rim, curiosity lighting her eyes. “How was he, by the way?”
“Lauren!” The words shot from Anna’s mouth before Stacie could respond. “You don’t ask about a man’s sexual prowess. At least not right away.”
Lauren choked on her coffee, but quickly brought herself under control. “I was asking how he was doing, not how he was in bed. Although, if someone wanted to share…”
“Josh is busy.” Stacie moved to the cabinet, took out a cup and poured herself some coffee. Though she normally added cream and sugar, this time she left it black. “He and Seth and some other guys are taking the cattle to another part of his land today.”
Stacie didn’t quite understand the purpose of the cattle move, but she knew it was an all-day event. That’s why she’d volunteered to drive herself home. And if talking about bovines meant she didn’t have to discuss her sex life, she’d chatter about the brown-and-whites all day.
“Cows remind me of dogs,” Stacie said. “When they look at you with their big brown eyes, it’s almost as if they can read your mind.”
“You sound like Dani.” Anna shook her head, but a smile lifted her lips. “Lauren and I had dinner with Seth and her at the Coffee Pot last night. She’s getting so old. I can’t believe she’ll be seven soon.”
Though Anna hadn’t been keen on returning to Sweet River—even for the summer—she seemed to be enjoying the opportunity to reconnect with her family. Every time she talked about her brother and his young daughter, her eyes sparkled.
If only Paul and I could be so close, Stacie thought wistfully. But then, Seth accepted and supported Anna’s dream of owning her own clothing boutique, so there was no tension between brother and sister.
Stacie fought a pang of envy.
“Seth is planning a big party for Dani,” Lauren added. “We’ll be invited.”
From cattle drive to birthday party. Could this conversation get any crazier?
“There was a write-up in the Denver paper yesterday you should read,” Anna said, changing the subject once again. “About a cooking contest.”
“Who’s sponsoring the contest?” Stacie asked, her interest piqued.
“Remember Jivebread? That catering firm in Denver that’s so popular?” Anna asked.
“Of course.” Stacie’s heart skipped a beat. The firm, known for innovative recipes and eclectic cuisine, was her dream company. She’d interviewed with them a
That meant one, if not both, of her roommates had already started the day. It also meant if she entered through the back, she’d be asked all sorts of questions. Questions she wasn’t sure she was ready to answer.
She glanced longingly at the front door, but in her heart she knew that would only postpone the inevitable. Squaring her shoulders, she followed the sidewalk to the rear of the house and pushed open the screen door.
“I’m home,” she called out in a cheery tone.
“Perfect timing.” Anna turned from the stove, a large wooden spoon in hand. “The oatmeal is almost ready.”
While Stacie was dressed in yesterday’s clothes, Anna had on a raspberry-and-cream-colored summer dress with matching sandals. Lauren was more casual. Like Stacie, the psychologist wore jeans and a cotton shirt. But Lauren’s shirt was crisp and freshly ironed, not rumpled from a night on the floor.
“You’re making breakfast?” Stacie couldn’t keep the surprise from her voice. Though Anna was a good cook, she normally stayed out of the kitchen.
“Anna has gone domestic.” Lauren glanced up from the New York Times, a wry smile on her lips. “I’m not sure what to make of it, but if it means a hot breakfast, I’m all for it.”
“I was in the mood for oatmeal,” Anna said, “and you weren’t around.”
“Because she spent the night with Josh.” Lauren raised a coffee cup to her lips, but didn’t take a drink. Instead she peered at Stacie over the rim, curiosity lighting her eyes. “How was he, by the way?”
“Lauren!” The words shot from Anna’s mouth before Stacie could respond. “You don’t ask about a man’s sexual prowess. At least not right away.”
Lauren choked on her coffee, but quickly brought herself under control. “I was asking how he was doing, not how he was in bed. Although, if someone wanted to share…”
“Josh is busy.” Stacie moved to the cabinet, took out a cup and poured herself some coffee. Though she normally added cream and sugar, this time she left it black. “He and Seth and some other guys are taking the cattle to another part of his land today.”
Stacie didn’t quite understand the purpose of the cattle move, but she knew it was an all-day event. That’s why she’d volunteered to drive herself home. And if talking about bovines meant she didn’t have to discuss her sex life, she’d chatter about the brown-and-whites all day.
“Cows remind me of dogs,” Stacie said. “When they look at you with their big brown eyes, it’s almost as if they can read your mind.”
“You sound like Dani.” Anna shook her head, but a smile lifted her lips. “Lauren and I had dinner with Seth and her at the Coffee Pot last night. She’s getting so old. I can’t believe she’ll be seven soon.”
Though Anna hadn’t been keen on returning to Sweet River—even for the summer—she seemed to be enjoying the opportunity to reconnect with her family. Every time she talked about her brother and his young daughter, her eyes sparkled.
If only Paul and I could be so close, Stacie thought wistfully. But then, Seth accepted and supported Anna’s dream of owning her own clothing boutique, so there was no tension between brother and sister.
Stacie fought a pang of envy.
“Seth is planning a big party for Dani,” Lauren added. “We’ll be invited.”
From cattle drive to birthday party. Could this conversation get any crazier?
“There was a write-up in the Denver paper yesterday you should read,” Anna said, changing the subject once again. “About a cooking contest.”
“Who’s sponsoring the contest?” Stacie asked, her interest piqued.
“Remember Jivebread? That catering firm in Denver that’s so popular?” Anna asked.
“Of course.” Stacie’s heart skipped a beat. The firm, known for innovative recipes and eclectic cuisine, was her dream company. She’d interviewed with them a
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