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“So you won’t be my date?”
Ignoring his killer grin, she quickly got in and closed the door. Her hands shook all the way back to Annie’s house.
*
The next morning,Annie was waiting for her at the bottom of the steps.
Vivian rolled her eyes. She really wasn’t in the mood for Annie’s questions this morning. She’d hardly slept last night. In between steamy dreams of naked torsos, she’d also been worrying about Aiden’s freaking foot. “Seriously? You’re waylaying me now? I was on my way to the kitchen.”
Laughing, Annie took her arm, steering her toward the kitchen. “You slip away most mornings without eating. Come on, it’s Saturday. I’ve made pancakes and bacon—your favorite. Have some before you head over to the hospital.”
Vivian glanced at her watch. “A quick bite—I don’t want to be late.”
“You’ve never been late for anything in your life. Come on, sit down.” Annie grabbed her arm and playfully dragged her into the kitchen. “Have some breakfast, please? I’ve made plenty.”
Rolling her eyes, Vivian sat down. “And you’re guilting me into having breakfast?”
Annie was going to get the details of last night out of her; she might as well eat while answering her sister’s questions. Besides, she never could resist the smell of bacon.
Annie put the plate with pancakes and one with bacon in front of Vivian. “I’m just glad you’re eating. You’ve lost weight since we arrived here. So, what happened last night?”
“Nothing happened, Annie. I went over to Janice’s house to give her godson medicine for pain and something to put on his foot, and that’s all I did.”
“So, did you give it to Janice or to the godson?”
“Janice had already gone to bed by the time I arrived there.”
Annie pulled out a chair and sat down. “Oooh, this sounds interesting. And this godson—tell me about him. I already know he’s gorgeous, and he’s a reporter. What’s his name, and what else do you know about him?”
Vivian finished eating and got up. “His name is Aiden O’Sullivan.”
“Of course. He’d also be Irish like Janice. She’s his godmother, but also his aunt, I believe?”
Vivian shrugged, hoping Annie would change the subject. “That’s what she’s told us. Something I’d forgotten when I rushed to the ER to help her poor godson, thinking he was a boy.”
Annie chuckled. “Well, he is a boy, just a big boy. So, what else do you know about him? Come on, tell me. Has he asked you out on a date?”
Vivian turned away quickly before Annie could see she was blushing. “I don’t know anything else, and trust me, he’s the last guy I’d go on a date with. Besides, I’m just not interested in dating right now. We’ve only been in Marietta for a year. I’m focusing on my work—that’s my priority.”
Annie touched her shoulder. “You need to get out of your mind and into your heart. That’s what Mom used to say, remember?”
Vivian nodded, a lump lodging in her throat as it always did when their parents were mentioned.
Annie chewed on her lip, a frown between her eyes. “You’re not sorry we relocated to a different state?”
Vivian hugged her sister quickly. “Of course not. There was no way I could stay at the hospital in Sacramento after… after what happened. I had to get away.”
Annie grimaced. “So did I. Being dumped by your fiancé a few weeks before the wedding is a good motivation to move across state lines.”
“Ted is an idiot. And you’re much better off without him. He didn’t want you chasing your dream of having your own guesthouse, and now look at you—the proud owner of your very own bed and breakfast. And because you’ve found us a house, I could apply for the temporary position at Marietta Medical…”
“And I found a teaching job in Marietta,” Mitch said as he entered the kitchen. “It’s just freaking cold in Montana—have I mentioned that?”
“Several times.” Annie laughed. “A teacher who is supposed to be writing a novel,” Annie said. “How is that going?”
Mitch poured himself coffee. “It’s… going.” He turned to stare out of the window. “It’s probably going to take a while to forget how Mom and Dad died.”
Annie held out her arms. “I know. Come on, time for a group hug.”
