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Brant wished he could say no. He hadn’t gotten a lot of sleep, today had been physically demanding, and he wasn’t done yet. But he knew that Charlie was offering him an olive branch and would be offended if he refused.
“Sure,” he heard himself say and was convinced he was doing the right thing, because no matter how exhausted he was, he was afraid he’d sneak over to Talulah’s again if he could.
And if he kept doing that, Charlie would catch him eventually.
Talulah had spent the day trying to forget about Brant, Charlie and the rest of Coyote Canyon while making eight pans of lasagna. She’d just driven them over to the church because they wouldn’t fit in her refrigerator, and was contemplating the type of green salad she’d serve at the funeral when her screen door flew open and Jane Tanner rushed in like a sudden gust of wind.
“I can’t believe you’re back in town for the first time in fourteen freaking years, and I wasn’t here when you arrived,” she exclaimed.
Startled, Talulah nearly dropped her aunt’s cookbook. An old, tattered tome with handwritten slips of paper and cards stuck between the pages, parts of it would’ve gone all over if Jane hadn’t crushed it to Talulah’s chest by sweeping her into an enthusiastic hug.
“I thought you wouldn’t get back until later!” Talulah said. “Why didn’t you text me that you’d be in town before dinner? I would’ve made us something to eat.”
“I wanted to surprise you,” she said. “Besides, we can make something together.” She gestured at all the bowls and pans in the sink that were stacked almost to the ceiling. “What’re you doing?”
“Getting ready for my aunt’s funeral.”
“It looks like you’re cooking for an army.”
“I am. I decided to do the dinner myself.”
“I thought you said Phoebe’s church would be handling it.”
Talulah gave her a sheepish look. “I wanted to do it myself.”
“Why?”
That was difficult to explain. To feel better about herself. To show the town she’d made good in spite of her reputation and to honor her aunt. But maybe it didn’t really mean anything in the end and had been a stupid idea. “I don’t know.”
“Is it too late to change your mind?”
“I’m not going to back out now,” Talulah said. “I’ve already got a lot of it done.”
“I’m happy to hear that, because the funeral’s on Thursday, isn’t it? You only have tomorrow left.”
“I’ll make it.”
“What can I do to help?”
It felt wonderful just to hear that question, was so good to have her friend back. Although Jane came to Seattle almost every year, those few days together weren’t quite the same as spending time with the person she’d been closest to—besides Charlie’s sister—where they’d grown up. “I’m happy you’re here.”
A worried expression jerked Jane’s eyebrows together. “Has it been that rough?”
“Well, no one’s run me out of town quite yet, but...”
“There’s been drama. I know. What the heck were you thinking, sleeping with Brant Elway?”
“It didn’t mean anything. It shouldn’t have been a big deal,” Talulah said, although it seemed like a much bigger deal now that she’d spenttwonights with him. Each time they made love felt less casual than the time before.
“So...how’d it happen?”
“We’re starting on this subject already?” she said.
“The whole town’s talking about it.”
Talulah rolled her eyes. “Great. That should make the funeral fun.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll be there.”
