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Willow glanced over toward lane number six, where Aunt Helen was packing a bowling ball into a bag. Spying Emma, her expression brightened. She called, “Hello, babycakes! What are you doing here?”
From that moment on, events spiraled out of Willow’s control. She introduced Noah to Aunt Helen, who had just returned from a trip to the South Pacific the previous day. “I’m shocked to see you here,” Willow said to her aunt. “I would have thought jet lag would have you laid flat.”
“It did all day yesterday and until about four o’clock this afternoon. I woke up wired, and it was my regular bowling night. I decided the exercise would do me good. We’ve just finished up. Come say hi to my friends. I’ve told them all about you, and they’ve been dying to meet you.”
Helen introduced Willow, the children, and Noah to Stella James, a retired teacher; Andrea Holt, the secretary at First Baptist Church; and Kim Murphy, a vice president at a local bank. The church secretary said, “I hear you’re doing a fabulous job with the wedding planning. The whole town is talking about it.”
“It’s been fun to work with new vendors. I think we’ll have a spectacular day on Saturday if the weather forecast holds.”
“I’m sure you will,” the banker declared. “Allow me to mention that if you decide to set up shop in Lake in the Clouds, I hope you’ll consider First Financial for your banking needs.”
“Oh, hush, Kim,” Stella chided. “We don’t mix bowling and business, remember?”
The women turned their curious gazes on Noah. But before anyone could attempt a third degree, Drew’s and Emma’s excitement got the better of them, and they dominated the conversation, babbling on about bowling and bawling and wearing pajamas in public.
After responding with enthusiasm to the children, Aunt Helen gave Willow a considering look, then darted a quick gaze toward Noah. She declared, “Well, it appears that much has happened during my absence. I’ll be anxious to hear all about it.”
Willow warned her with a stare. “Not now, Aunt Helen.”
“No, not now. You have a full plate, what with the wedding only a week away. You need to be sure and take care of yourself. You’re already looking a bit pinched around the eyes.”
“Gee, thanks,” Willow drawled.
“I call ’em like I see ’em. Tell you what—why don’t I take Emma and Drew off your hands for a bit? I’ll share my bowling expertise with the children, and you and Noah take some time to yourselves in the tavern.” She gave Noah a brilliant smile and added, “Have a beer on me. I run a tab.”
Before Willow quite knew how it happened or managed to mount a protest, Helen had spirited the children away. Within minutes, Drew and Emma rolled balls in a lane withbumpers in the gutters. Willow sat across from Noah in a booth inside the Let ’Em Fall Tavern, the bowling alley’s bar-and-grill, where she could observe her children from her seat.
“What will you have to drink?” Noah asked her.
For a moment, Willow simply stared at him blankly.
“A beer? Wine? A bottle of bourbon?”
She gave a little laugh. “I’m sorry. I’m a little discombobulated. What just happened out there?”
“I think we ran into a force of nature.”
“My aunt Helen. Yes, that’s a good way to describe her. She and my mother are a lot alike, although I will say that Mom is more subtle in her efforts. I’m sorry if you felt forced into forgoing time on the bowling lane.”
“Not hardly. I had no intention of bowling myself, anyway,” Noah said.
“You didn’t?”
“Not with this bum leg, no. So, a drink? I’m buying, though.”
Willow grinned. “You don’t allow strange women to buy you drinks?”
“Should I tell your aunt you referred to her as strange?”
“Whoa. You play dirty.” Immediately, she wanted to bite her tongue.Suggestive, there, Willow? You’re out of practice talking with handsome men.
“Darlin’, if you only knew,” he fired back automatically. His expression arrested as if he’d spoken as indiscreetly as she. After clearing his throat, he added, “So, um, what will you have?”
Okay, I’m going to pretend that never happened.“Beer, please. The Mountaineer lager.”
“Excellent choice.” He signaled the bartender and called, “Two of my usual, please, Jace.”
“Your usual,” Willow repeated. “So you’re a regular at the bowling alley, but you don’t bowl?”
