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When Jarrod asked about him, J.D. mentioned that he was a lawyer, who, until recently, had been involved in personal-injury cases.
“So when Philip was killed, the old man pressed me into service,” he continued. “I didn’t jump on it at first, but after an accident on my motorcycle, when I had a few weeks to think about things, I decided to join the family business, at least temporarily.” He drained his glass. “Philip’s death made it clear that life’s too short not to try some new experiences.”
Jarrod studied the two inches of beer in his glass. “I heard you were making an offer on the Zalinski place.”
J.D. tensed. “Just this morning.”
“You know what they say about gossip traveling faster than the speed of light in a small town.”
“One of the reasons I like the city.”
Jarrod shrugged. “It’s not so bad here. Sure, there’re a lot of people sticking their noses in everyone else’s business, but it works both ways. If you’re ever in trouble, everyone in town’s willing to pitch in and help you.”
“Except in Isaac Wells’s case.”
Jarrod sighed. “Have to admit,” he agreed, “that one’s got me stumped.” He leaned back in the booth. “So how’re you and your sister-in-law getting along?”
The muscles of J.D.’s shoulders immediately tightened. His jaw clamped, and he braced himself as if he were expecting a physical blow. “Well enough.” Where had this come from and where was it going? J.D. wondered. Smith didn’t seem the kind to pry into another man’s personal life.
“She’s a beautiful woman.”
J.D. nodded.
“Had a few tough breaks, what with her old man skipping out on her mother and then losing a husband at her age.”
“She’s holding up.” J.D.’s fingers gripped his glass as if his life depended upon it.
“She’s strong. Well, all of John Cawthorne’s daughters are. Must be in their genes. Take my sister, Katie. Tough as nails. Growing up with three brothers, she had to be.” His gaze clouded for a minute. “She’s had her share of troubles, too, and managed to get by. Nothing that happened broke her.” He said it almost in wonder. “She’s an amazing woman. In fact, Katie’s one of the most upbeat people you’ll ever want to meet. But she’s pushy as all get-out. When she wants something, watch out, she’ll just steamroll her way through.” Jarrod chuckled, then sobered as he poured a half glass of beer from the pitcher.
“As for Tiffany, she’s different from Katie. Quieter. More thoughtful.” He rubbed the edge of his jaw. “It can’t be easy trying to raise two kids so far apart in age, especially when the older one seems hell-bent on rebelling. Yep, Tiffany Santini is a helluva woman.”
J.D. narrowed his gaze on Jarrod. “Is there a reason you’re telling me this?”
“Just reminding you what a lucky guy you are to be related to her.”
“Seems as if you’re related, as well.”
Smith grinned. “I know. When John married my mother, I ended up with two stepsisters. I guess I’m lucky, too.”
“So it would seem,” J.D. said, finishing his drink.
Jarrod reached into his wallet and dropped some bills on to the table. “This one’s mine,” he added when J.D. pulled out his money clip.
Rather than argue, J.D. tucked the clip back into his pocket “Fair enough, Smith, but the next time, it’s on me.”
Jarrod didn’t argue.
* * *
“So I thought, if you’re not too busy, we—you and Bliss and I—could meet for lunch tomorrow,” Katie suggested from the other end of the telephone line.
A cold sweat had collected between Tiffany’s shoulder blades. “I guess that would be all right,” she heard herself saying. Katie was trying so hard to get the three of them together. Too hard. But it was inevitable they would meet at some point in time, and Stephen had already let her know that he wanted to belong to a larger family. “How about one-thirty? Doris will be back by then.”
“Great! I’ll set it up with Bliss, and we’ll meet you at the Blue Moon Café. They’ve got outdoor tables.”
“I’ll see you then,” Tiffany promised and hung up. Great. She was going to have to deal with her sisters whether she wanted to or not.
She heard the front door open.
