I’m glad Rose is feeling better but knowing she’s going home tomorrow makes my chest ache. Yes, she gets on my last nerve sometimes, but it’s been nice having her here.
“And you love having someone to take care of,” Rose says, giving June Bug a pat on the head. “You know, maybe a dog wouldn’t be the worst idea. Think we could dognap this one?”
“I don’t think her owner would appreciate that,” I say with a laugh. “Besides, I’m fine. With the business, I’m not usually home enough to warrant having a pet.”
“Just take the dog with you. This one would fit in your purse. You’d be like Paris Hilton.”
“Because Paris and I have so much in common.”
I’m about to finally give in and watch whatever ridiculous dating show Rose has on when I hear the sound of a car pulling in the driveway. The noise is enough to rouse June Bug from her slumber, and she launches into guard mode, ready to take on any intruder.
“That must be her,” I cry, bouncing to my feet with the puppy hooked under my arm, peering out the window in time to see my daughter getting out of her SUV.
“How does she look?” Rose asks.
“What do you mean? She looks like Lindsey. She looks happy.”
“How happy are we talking?” Rose continues. “Is her hair mussed up? Are her cheeks rosy from exertion?”
“Oh, for heaven’s sake, Rose,” I snap. “She’s a normal amount of happy.”
Before Lindsey can get the key in the lock, I fling open the door, and she yelps.
“Geez, Mom,” she says, crossing the threshold. “What were you doing? Just lying in wait for me to get home?”
“No,” I say at the same time Rose says, “Yes.”
I shoot my sister a glare before grabbing my daughter’s hand. “Come sit with us. Tell us about your date.”
She allows me to drag her to the couch, and a wiggling June Bug crawls onto her lap to give her kisses.
“How’d it go with this one?” Lindsey asks in a tone that suggests she already knows the answer.
“Fine,” I say.
Lindsey lifts her brows. “Really?”
“Of course,” I say.
“So, she was on her best behavior?” Lindsey deadpans. “A perfect angel?”
Rose snorts. “Sure, if that angel’s name is Calamity Jane.”
“Oh fine. She was a little…destructive,” I admit. “But we got on just fine, and I received your message loud and clear that I shouldn’t have meddled.”
“You did?” she asks, casting a doubtful glance at me.
“Yes,” I say, “but I’m hoping you had such a good time with Oliver that maybe a small part of you will be glad I did?”
“You probably should have stopped at ‘yes,’ Myra Jean,” Rose quips.
“You are incorrigible.” Lindsey laughs and shakes her head. “Both of you.”
“Not me,” Rose says. “I was perfectly content to sit here and find out if this rich farmer finds himself a wife.”
“But are you?” I ask, ignoring my sister. “At least a little glad?”
“I would have agreed to go out with him on my own. In myown time,” Lindsey says. “We did have fun, though.”
