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“How are things going with my father?” Josie asked, needing a diversion. And because she was curious.
“You and Mr. Stephens?” Dara looked shocked.
“It can happen,” Lola said. “Even at my age.”
Dara shook her head. “I didn’t mean that, Miss Worley. I guess I didn’t think Mr. Stephens was all that aware of women.”
“Oh, honey, men are always aware of women.” Lola started cutting out new cookies to put on the tray. “Some of them are too old to do anything about it.”
Josie sincerely hoped her father did not fall into that category.
“And some men have been too burned to know how to try again.” Lola was looking at her as she said that last part.
“Maybe they shouldn’t. Maybe they should move on,” she murmured.
“Man’s heart doesn’t always wander the way his eye does, Joselyn. I’d hazard to say quite a few fellas I know are far more true-blue than a lot of lady friends I have.” Lola put a new tray of cookies into the oven.
“Listen to your heart,” Annabeth added.
“Isn’t that a song?” Josie tried to tease.
“Oh, stop it. I’m serious. Do what you can to make your heart and soul happy.” Annabeth spoke with such force Josie paused. Yes, Dara was young and naive and full of hope. But Annabeth and Lola had been married, happily. Maybe she shouldn’t dismiss what they had to say.
What did she want? What did she really want?
They spent the next few hours listening to music, sharing stories and laughing. They taught Dara to do the chicken dance. Lola taught them the twist. And Josie’s dad joined them long enough to share chicken and dumplings for lunch.
“I’d best be heading home,” Lola said, hanging her apron on the hook by the counter. “Not much time to pull myself together before the festivities tonight.”
“Thank you for all your help,” Josie said as she hugged the woman.
“No problem at all.” Lola smiled. “You have fun tonight,” she said, pulling the door shut behind her.
“I should probably head out, too.” Dara hung her apron beside Lola’s. She glanced at Josie. “The thing is, I really like Eli. Or I did. But now that he’s acting rude, I’m not so sure.”
Annabeth looked at the young girl. “Eli’s been rude to you, too? I couldn’t believe the way he acted at Career Night.”
“Oh, no, not me.” She blushed, shaking her head. “But toward you, Miss Stephens—”
Josie shrugged. There was no denying the way Eli felt about her.
“I know he’s worried his dad’s going to get his heart broken. Oops, sorry.” She looked at Josie. “I think it’s sweet that he wants to protect his dad, but not how he’s going about it. I mean, can’t he just talk to his dad? Can’t they come to some sort of understanding?”
“Men don’t talk the way women do.” Annabeth sigh
ed. “They’ll work it out, eventually.”
Josie felt sick to her stomach. What was she thinking? Why was she considering going out with Hunter, knowing that his son was dead set against her. She tried to smile at Dara. “Try not to be too hard on him, Dara. I know he’s a good kid.”
“It’s natural for him to be worried. Maybe even a little jealous, too, since Hunter hasn’t been interested in another woman...well, ever.” Annabeth laughed. “You’re uncharted territory.”
Josie nodded. “I need to talk to Eli. I would never come between him and his dad. He’s been lucky to have a strong family all his life. I don’t want him to think I’d try to change that.”
Dara’s father showed up shortly afterward. Josie and Annabeth sent them on their way with a plate of Dara’s cookies.
“You ready for tonight?” Annabeth asked. “Do we need to have the talk?”
Josie rolled her eyes. “Um, I don’t think so.”
