He glanced at Amy, sitting on the counter, idly swinging her long, bare legs. “I don’t want to intrude.”
She smiled at him like a cat, fluffing her hair with her fingers. “Don’t mind us. Everybody’s feeling friendly. Very friendly, apparently.”
Our mother shot her a sharp look.
He stepped into the kitchen, a tall, rough man in dirty work clothes. “So. How’d things go last night?”
Mom’s hand jerked, scattering coffee grounds across the counter.
“The wedding was lovely,” I said.
“I didn’t see you there,” Amy said.
His gaze rested on her briefly. “Not my kind of party.”
“There was lots to eat,” Amy said. “And drink.”
“I’d rather drink alone,” he said straight-faced.
“Ha. Although I...” Amy broke off, her eyes narrowing. “Wait. That was you! In Alleygators.”
“You were in Alleygators?” I asked. A dive bar. Not at all Amy’s kind of place.
Amy nodded. “He hauled my ass out of a bar fight once.”
“Three years ago,” Dan said.
“Christmas Eve,” said Amy.
“When I was in the hospital?” our mother asked.
“I went out for a drink,” Amy said. “He rescued me.”
Dan shook his head. “I wouldn’t say that. Your sister Jo was there. And your boyfriend.”
“Amy doesn’t have a boyfriend,” I said.
“The Laurence guy. The grandson.”
“Trey? He’s...”Jo’s, I almost said. But of course he wasn’t. Not anymore. “He’s like our brother.”
Mom handed him the mug she had poured for Dad. “Was there something else, Dan?”
He regarded her a moment, all expression hidden behind his beard. “Milking’s done. I was going to finish the babies and then turn the ladies out.”
“I’ll be with you in a minute. To help with the bottle-feeding.” Was our mother blushing?
He jerked his chin toward the door. “And there’s a guy sleeping in a car outside.”
Oh no. I glanced outside, where a long black limo was parked next to the barn. “It’s Jimmy.”
“Friend of yours?” Dan asked.
“He’s Colt’s driver.” Guilt jabbed me. I’d seen the car when I went for my run. I should have realized... “I should see if he’s all right.”
“I’ll go with you.” Dan looked at our mother. “Appreciate the coffee, Abby.”
She gave a short nod, her cheeks faintly pink. I followed Dan outside.
