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I flicked soapy water at him. “And I still think you should mind your own business.”

He grinned, and for a moment we were kids again, doing dishes after dinner, bickering but united.

“I missed you,” he admitted.

“Missed you too.”

By the time I left, promising to come for dinner again next Sunday, some of the awkwardness had faded. Dad walked me to my car, insisting on checking that all the lights on my car worked properly.

“You know we just want you happy, right?” he said, closing my hood after inspecting something.

“I know.”

“And safe.”

“I know, Daddy.” He melted, like I knew he would. Me calling him Daddy always got to him.

He pulled me into one more hug. “Text when you get to Miss Laverne's.”

“It's just across town.”

“Humor your old man.”

I smiled. “Okay.”

As I drove away, I could see them in my rearview mirror, Mom and Dad standing on the porch watching me go. Seth's truck was still in the driveway, and I knew they'd spend another hour discussing my life choices after I left.

But that was okay. They were my family. Overprotective, occasionally overbearing, but mine. And despite needing my space, despite the complicated feelings about being back in Jasper Creek, I was grateful to have them.

I pulled into Miss Laverne's driveway and sent Dad a quick text: “Home safe. Love you.”

His response was immediate: “Love you too, baby girl. See you next Sunday.”

For now, this balance would have to work. My independence and their need to protect. My own space and family dinners. It wasn't perfect, but nothing ever was.

I climbed the porch steps to Miss Laverne’s front door, already thinking about what dessert I should make for next Sunday.

I shivered when I found her door unlocked.

Chapter Four

I stashed my purse in my locker and headed to the front, where Roxie was talking to Ava. I always liked to arrive early. It was one of my OCD habits that had actually served me well over the years.

“There she is,” Roxie crowed. “Miss Popular herself.”

“Hardly,” I snorted. “I was the bookworm all through high school and my two years of college.” I spread my arms wide. “Look at me, like anybody would be interested in me when I’m standing next to the two of you.”

“I don’t know about that,” Roxie said with a smile. “Rumor has it that someone is interested.”

I frowned.

Ava looked up at Roxie from her seat at the desk. “Spill,” she demanded. “I haven’t heard anything, and it’s my job to hear things first.”

Roxie buffed her fingers against her white doctor’s coat. “If you’re not careful, you’re going to lose your crown as the town oracle.”

“Will not.” Ava folded her arms across her chest. “I have too many sources to lose out to you.”

I breathed a sigh of relief as the two women bickered. I was worried that I would be put on the spot about Graham. It looked like I was off the hook if I could just sneak to the back.