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Had it only been a few days ago that they’d been at Hardts?
Aspen excused himself as he answered the fire station’s dispatch.
Juniper sighed and wilted onto the kitchen counter. Ivy and Callie came to stand by her and Gran took up the opposite side.
Surrounded.
She filled them in on the whole ordeal down to the agreement they had on the wedding, but not how it would end. She would keep her promise to Marshall.
“I see.” Her mom spoke first.
“Why didn’t you tell us your shop was in trouble? We could have helped.”
“I know, Gran, but this was my problem and I didn’t want to bother anyone with it. Especially now with your birthday party.” She lifted a shoulder and held her wine glass up as Ivy poured each of them a glass. “Now it seems I’ve got a solution and it helps solve two problems—his and mine. I can’t wait for you all to meet him and his family. They are really nice and caring.”
Gran lifted her glass. “We’re not here to second-guess you, sweetie, so get that glass up high.”
Juniper did.
“To new beginnings, sexy Texans, and edible panties.”
“Cheers,” they chorused, and she took a deep swallow and let the flavors burst over her tongue.
“Now that’s a toast!” Her mom refilled each of their glasses.
Ivy popped open the refrigerator as they talked and started unloading plastic bowls.
Juniper peeked inside each container. Salad, freshly grated parmesan, and garlic butter.
“This looks so good. What can I do to help?”
Her mom passed the plates and they set the table up for five complete with their wine glasses, silverware, and cloth napkins. Never paper.
Tomorrow there would be more than twenty guests and another fifteen invited to the party, but tonight was about family.
Juniper pulled her hair back in a ponytail and slipped the bread from the oven. They all gathered around the table and took their seats. Aspen snatched a buttered slice of bread from the basket and kissed Ivy. “I’ve got to go in. Gas leak at a bakery.”
“Be careful.” They all chimed in.
With a salute he was out the door, leaving the four of them to talk.
“So I guess this is a girls’ night.” Ivy raised her glass and they clinked.
“All the better. Now we can really dish.”
“Yeah, tell us about Marshall.”
Juniper swallowed and tried not to feel ganged up on. She expected this after all.
“I need to Google him.” Callie reached behind her and snatched her phone off the kitchen counter.
Juniper chuckled and took a sip of her wine. “What do you want to know?”
“Every detail.” From the right, her mom pegged her with a look that said she better not leave out anything either. Her blue eyes sparkled with mirth and Juniper hoped she aged gracefully as her mother had. Soft skin, salt and pepper hair she kept neatly trimmed to whisper just beneath the chin and a trim figure she kept in shape with daily yoga and swimming.
“I want to know where he sits on your list.”
Callie’s thumbs speed-typed and Juniper knew the second she pulled up Marshall’s picture for everyone.
