“And I’ll do it again if you don’t stop with this crap.”
Malena joined our huddle, her eyes homing in on my hand that was still consoling my poor boob.“Did someone just punch you in the boob?”
Taking a sip of her drink, Keely grinned.“She won’t see reason, so I resorted to violence.It worked, didn’t it?Not sure why everyone’s looking at me as if I farted in church.”
Malena shot Keely a wide-eyed look and turned to the side, revealing none other than Vance.I hadn’t noticed him standing there, too busy rubbing my boob.My hand dropped to my side and my cheeks heated to volcanic levels.
“I hope you don’t mind, Keely, but I invited Vance.He’s in town for a bit and doesn’t know anyone but me.”
He’s in Butler for a while?What in the world kind of business would he have in our small town?
Keely held out her hand, looking Vance over like he was a juicy steak.“It’s a pleasure to meet you.Thank you so much for everything you’ve done for our girl.”
He gave her hand a perfunctory shake.“Only doing my job.”His gaze met mine, and a jolt went through my traitorous body almost as if he’d been touching me.“Mrs.Porter.It’s nice to see you again.”
“Yeah.You as well.You too.I mean, it’s great you’re here.”
Is there a rock anywhere I can hide behind?
Keely stifled her laughter behind her glass, and Malena looked at me like I had three heads.
“I want to eat a sausage dog,” Elana called out before she barreled into me, headbutting my stomach.I curled around her, a puff of air escaping my pursed lips.Luckily, I’d managed to avoid the full brunt of her tackle-hug.
Thank the heavens for small children, who were the best distraction, since now I had a reason to direct my attention elsewhere and avoid the stream of nonsense words that were waiting to come out of my mouth.
Putting my hand on her head that was still hidden in my belly, I slightly leaned down.“How are you still hungry?”
She’d already had two plates of pasta salad and about five pounds of cookies.But if she wanted a hot dog, I wasn’t going to stop her.
“Hat is making them.And he doesn’t burn them.Because I don’t like the black stuff.”
It was unlikely Thad would ever be called by his real name by any of the kids again, much to everyone’s amusement.
Smoothing out her hair, I waited for her to look at me.“Of course you can have one.Just remind him that you don’t want any ketchup or mustard on it.”
She grinned at me, then raced to where I guessed Thad was manning the grill.Her hair was flying everywhere, having mostly come out of the braid I’d put it in this morning, her little arms pumping hard to propel her forward.I was able to make out a faint “okay” before she disappeared around the corner.
“Do you have an idea yet on when the divorce will go through?”I asked Vance, ignoring the lifted eyebrows my two friends shot me.They must be impressed by my skills to form full sentences.
He turned to face me, and I couldn’t help but take in how his T-shirt hugged his wide shoulders and biceps.“No date yet, but the signed documents have been submitted.As soon as I hear anything, I’ll let you know.”
“So, Vance, how long are you planning on staying in Butler?”Malena asked, looking back and forth between us as if we were a puzzle she needed to solve.
“A few weeks.”
A small line appeared between Malena’s brows.“A few weeks?”
“I don’t have to be in court for at least two weeks.All my other work I can do from anywhere.And I was thinking if you need help, I can give you a hand while I’m here.I remember how much work it was starting my own firm.And you’re one person short, since Nelson can’t start for another two months, right?”
“So, you decided to stay in bumfudge nowhere because you think I need help?”
The slight shifting of his legs and tense posture was the only sign that he might have been uncomfortable with her inquisition.
My eyes greedily tracked his hand as it ran over his slightly stubbly chin.“I needed a change of scenery, and this is as good as anywhere.If it means I get an opportunity to help out an old friend, then even better.”
Keely laughed, looking at Vance as if he’d declared he didn’t like ice cream.“Then go to the Hamptons.Or Florida.Nobody comes to Butler for a change of scenery.”
Unless they had a reason to or couldn’t leave.Or, in our case, had friends here who tied them to the area.But I’d been born here, and I’d honestly never wanted to move.I’d gone to Northwestern before I’d dropped out, but I’d been happy to come back here.
