“Every Saturday there was a community dance and we met there. My sister and I loved getting all dolled up and heading to the town-hall to dance the night away like two stars.” She gave a little sway to her slender hips. “Dalton asked me to waltz, and I jumped at the chance. Mm. That boy knew how to rock those hips.”
Aasia always loved Pedora’s stories. Just when Aasia thought she’d heard every single one Pedora surprised her. “What happened to Dalton?”
Some of the smile left Pedora’s weathered features. “He stayed with family for the summer and then he left. We stayed in touch for a while. Wrote letters…you know paper and pen? You’re generation wouldn’t have a clue about that.” Her laugh was weak. “The letters dwindled. Life moved on.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Nah. What’s meant to be will happen.” She stuck the pie into the preheated oven. She turned back, her smile returned. “This cowboy, Bear, he has potential.”
“I’m glad you have all that confidence.”
“You deserve someone, honey. Someone who has your best interests at heart.” Pedora’s eyes were kind. “Good men are hard to find. Don’t let the moment pass because you got burnt by a man like Bentley.”
“Don’t worry. I’m over him. Is something bothering you today, Pedora?”
“Why do you ask?”
“Because you only make cocoa and bake all day when you have something on your mind.”
She braced her elbows on the counter. “Well, I guess you should know. I heard from your sister. She’s planning to visit.”
“Phoebe is coming home? When? Why?”
Pedora held up her gnarled hand. “Whoa. I don’t know. In her usual fashion she’ll get here when she shows up. I just wanted you to know.”
Aasia chewed on the corner of her mouth. She felt both anxious and concerned that Phoebe had decided to return. It could go two ways. Good or very bad.
Chapter Twenty
Bear had finished fixing the latch to the gate and decided he’d look at the old tractor abandoned alongside the barn too. Aasia said it stopped working and he’d been hunkered over the motor when he heard...
“I like this view. I didn’t know what I’m missing out on.”
He straightened and squinted against the sunlight. At first, he thought the woman was Aasia, but once he guarded his eyes, he realized this wasn’t her. The woman wore a short, frayed skirt, cropped top, and tall black boots. She was leaning against the ancient farm equipment wearing a smile.
“Excuse me?” He lifted a brow.
“Don’t bother with this thing. It’s as old as the hills. Older, I’m sure.” The brunette pushed off the tractor, swiped the dust off her hands and winked. That smile did seem very familiar. “I’m Phoebe.”
That explained it. She was Aasia’s sister.
He held out his hand. “Bear.”
She shook his hand, looking at him through a veil of thick lashes. “Just Bear?”
“Just Bear. I think you were at Oscar’s a few weeks ago…”
A sharp laugh behind them made both Bear and Phoebe swivel. Aasia had her thumbs hooked into her front pockets and one hip tilted. “Well, well…look what the cat dragged in.”
Phoebe let out a short, sharp snort. “Is that anyway to welcome your little sister?”
Aasia crossed her arms over her waist and her eyes turned the color of the stormy sky. “I think it’s the perfect welcome for the sister I haven’t seen in…how long has it been? A year? Or is it closer to two?”
Phoebe took a step forward. “I’m not surprised you’re still here, sis.” There was an underbite to the statement. “You always did have a thing for cowboys.” Phoebe’s bright gaze flicked onto Bear. “Is he yours?”
Aasia ignored the questions and shifted in her boots. “Why are you here?”
“Last I knew, this was my home too. Oh, wait. I guess not since your Auntie’s favorite. Is your name on the deed yet?”
