Dawn saw the amount: $20.
“Cash it in, honey. We can move to Hawaii.” Annette chuckled.
“I will cash it in, and I know just what to get with it.”
“What?”
Dawn smiled to herself. She’d seen a beautiful old cane at Goddess Fashions on sale for $19.99. It was black with an ivory handle and an ornate bird design down the length.
“I’m going to surprise you.”
Annette smiled. “Okay, you do that, but promise me one thing.”
“Yes, anything.”
“That’s the first and last time you buy me lottery tickets.”
“Deal. Now, you promise me one thing.”
“What’s that?”
“Let me walk you to Sheree’s place, okay? We’re supposed to get rain later today, and they say after dark, it could freeze.”
“Oh, I’ll be fine. You enjoy your day off.” Annette patted Dawn’s hand, still around her shoulder.
“I intend to, after I walk you to Sheree’s. And when you’re done visiting, text me and I’ll come get you.”
“Never mind about that. I’ll be fine.”
“Oh, all right. I have no idea where you get your stubbornness from.”
“Really? And where does your stubbornness come from?”
Dawn grinned as she was about to take her last bite. “I’m looking right at her.”
Annette chuckled.
* * *
“Are you going to finish that bacon?”
“You bet I am.” Dawn picked up her last piece of bacon and waved it in front of Luca’s face.
“Damn, I thought women didn’t eat bacon. My sisters-in-law say it’s too fatty and high in calories.”
“Really.” She grinned. “Well, this woman loves it.” Luca made a puppy-dog face, and Dawn burst out laughing. “Okay, okay! But you have to come get it.”
“Ah…challenge accepted.”
She put one end of the slice in her mouth, and Luca leaned in and, with a little growl, opened his mouth and took a big bite. Dawn giggled, loving his playful face. He lifted one eyebrow like a villain in a silent movie. “Why don’t we order more bacon to satisfy your appetite?” she said.
He waggled both his brows. “I have many appetites that need satisfying. Bacon is only one of them.”
Dawn was about to reply when her phone rang. Lifting it off the table, she recognized Sheree’s number. She swiped to answer. “Hi, Sheree. Is everything okay?”
“Honey, it’s your gran. She slipped and fell just outside my door. I called 911, and some nice paramedics just took her to Boston General Hospital. I’m sorry, honey. I feel terrible.”
“Oh my God! I didn’t think it was going to ice up until tonight.”
