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“At Nora and Neil’s. They still live in the apartment over the clinic and Nora’s kicking your brother out for the night.”
Chuckling loudly, Paxton bobbed his head. “That would explain why Aunt Eileen was cooking so early this morning.”
“Yep. She’s expecting a crowd of Farraday men for dinner and time killing.” Wishing she could stay a little longer, she let go of Paxton’s hand and stood. “It’s such a pretty afternoon, I’m going to walk over. See you tomorrow?”
He nodded. “Tomorrow, but I can drive you over.”
“Nah. I’ve been eating too many homemade desserts. The walk will do me good.”
Slowly, she walked through the house, taking her time, looking at the pretty light wood flooring. For so long dark was popular but she really preferred the brightness of the lighter floors.
As she walked, she pondered the rooms, where to put furniture, what kind of pieces she’d need. How she’d decorate David’s room. Maybe find him a race car bed at a garage sale. Would be worth driving to Butler Springs for a good deal. Halfway to Nora’s, a horn tooted. Not till it tooted again did she think to look.
Grace had slowed and was easing up Main Street with the passenger window down. “Heading to Nora’s?”
“Yep.”
“Hop in. I’ll give you a ride.”
The few blocks left were no big deal, but she grinned at her old friend and climbed in. “Thanks.”
“I heard that Toni is bringing her cake balls. That means tomorrow you may want to walk everywhere twice.”
Sandra kicked her head back laughing. “That good?”
“Oh, yeah.”
The fun thing about longtime childhood friends was that no matter how much time passed, once they got together it was as if no time at all had gone by. They were still laughing merrily after Grace parked and they climbed the stairs to the apartment over the veterinary clinic.
“I heard them talking about moving to a real house.” Grace carried a bottle of wine. “I think that’s family code for their thinking of starting a family. Which will set Aunt Mariah off. That woman has a burr in her butt when it comes to Texas.”
Paxton had shared a little of the family rift, though he and his brothers didn’t really understand what it was all about. From inside, she could hear the ladies laughing. “Sounds like they’re having a good time already.”
“Always.” Grace had her hand on the doorknob at the top of the stairs when Sandra’s phone pinged.
Expecting it to be Paxton with some silly last-minute words of advice, her heart sank to her feet when the text from Ed came across her screen.
“What’s wrong?” Grace froze in place. “You’re as white as a sheet.”
Sandra couldn’t bring herself to read the text out loud; instead she handed Grace the phone.
“I see what you mean.” Grace read each word, her mouth twisting tightly as she reached the end. “So he’s coming next weekend.”
“That’s what he says now.”
“What you’re telling me is he could change his mind?”
“Or forget. If he’s drunk now, which would explain the expletives, he might not even remember he told me he’d be here to see David next Saturday.”
“If there’s a God in heaven, he’ll not only forget what he said, he’ll forget all about you two and fade away.”
“Not going to happen any time soon.” Drawing in a deep breath and blowing it out slowly, she slipped the phone into her purse and plastered on her best effort at a smile. “Shall we go inside and forget all about Ed Morton?”
“Sounds good to me. But,” Grace lightly rested her hand on Sandra’s shoulder, “whenever the jackass shows up, we’ll all be ready.”
That much Sandra Lynn understood, and was damn thankful for.
Chapter Nineteen
