Van took care not to lock eyes with Callie. Her friend knew way too much now. And Van had no doubt they would be discussing the Jameson situation again at some point.
Just not this afternoon, with his sister in the room. Besides, what more was there to say? Her fantasy of a hot, secret summer romance had ended without ever getting started.
End of story. Nothing to see here. Time to move on.
Charity picked up her makeup kit again. “Let’s get to it. This won’t take long.”
Charity, Van and Callie caravanned to the day’s Red, White and Bronco festivities.
At Bronco Park, the barbecue experts from all the local ranching families had their smokers and charcoal grills going. The rich, tempting smells of hickory smoke and seared meat filled the air.
Three of Charity’s girlfriends came running up. They wanted her to head over to the row of carnival-style booths on the other side of the barbecue area. The girls couldn’t wait to dunk last year’s high school football hero off his perch and into a giant tub of icy water.
“Go,” Van instructed. “I’m on this. Have fun.”
“But I should take you to the pie tables.” Charity grabbed her hand. “Come on. I’ll introduce you to Mrs. Abernathy and Mrs. Brandt. They’re heading up the pie contest committee this year.”
“I can see the pie tables from here, and I know both Angela and Mallory. Don’t worry. You have taught me well, and I love pie. There is no problem here. Go with your girls. Win a carnival glass bowl or a stuffed giraffe.”
Charity hugged her—carefully, so as not to mess up her perfectly arranged hair or knock her red spangled cowboy hat askew. “I’ll be back to check on you, just in case you need me...” She was still offering aid and suggestions as her girlfriends dragged her toward the game booths.
“Vanessa! Callie! Over here!” Van glanced toward the sound of her mother’s voice. Wanda Cruise waved at them from a picnic table about twenty yards away.
Callie took her arm. “Let’s go say hi to your folks.”
At the table, Wanda sat with Grandma Daisy and Great-Grandmother Winona. Sean Donohue, Wanda’s boyfriend, had come, too. They’d worked together for years, Sean and Van’s mom. Shortly before last Christmas, they’d finally come out to the family as a couple. Before that, they’d kept their romantic relationship a secret—which people did now and then for any number of reasons, damn it. Too bad a certain thickheaded rancher refused to see it that way.
“Sit with us,” Winona commanded.
Well into her nineties, Winona Cobbs was slender, almost birdlike, with a halo of snow-white hair. She looked frail, and she’d been ill a lot last year when she still lived up north in Rust Creek Falls. Since reuniting with her family, though, Winona had not only miraculously regained perfect health, but she’d also developed a flashy personal style. Today, she wore an electric-green silk shirt and jeans, along with a crystal-bedecked cowboy hat to match.
“You look beautiful, G-G.” Van used the pet name she’d chosen a few months before in order not to have to say “Great-Grandmother” all the time. She took the seat next to Winona.
“Thank you, sweetheart.” Winona patted Van’s knee with her spider-thin, wrinkled hand. “Where’s that handsome fella of yours?”
Callie snickered as she slid in on Van’s other side. Van shot her a warning glare and turned back to Winona. “G-G, I don’t have a fella.” Van kept her smile easy and her tone gentle. “I’m a happy single woman, and you know that.”
Winona leaned closer, bringing the faint scent of sandalwood and patchouli. Since she’d opened her little fortune-telling enterprise, Winona had switched from light floral perfumes to more earthy essential oils. “Sometimes, sweetheart, you have to lose in order to win.”
Van decided not to ask what, exactly, that might mean. A quick change of subject seemed the best way to go. “Where are Evan and Daphne?”
Across the table, her mom shook her head. It was answer enough. From over in the large, open area where the men had the smokers and grills going, Cornelius Taylor let out a loud bray of laughter. Beef was the order of the day, with all the local ranchers competing to win the blue ribbon for Best of Bronco Barbecue. Daphne’s dad tended to rule the roost at the Independence Day cook-off—and right now, he and Daphne weren’t getting along. Not surprising she’d chosen to sit this one out.
Van’s mom had set the table with dishes and flatware she’d brought from home. She’d also brought Tupperware containers full of sides, including fresh, oven-baked rolls. As for the savory main course, barbecue, the family would buy that right here at the park. Wanda, Sean and Grandma Daisy got up together to head for the booths that sold the perfectly cooked meat straight from the smokers.
“Hmm,” said Callie. “I think I need to check out the choices while they’re still on the grill. Be right back.”
Van didn’t want to leave Winona all on her own, so she stayed put. G-G regaled her with an update on her new psychic business venture and then sent a meaningful glance toward the barbecue area. “Callie is such a lovely girl...”
“Yes, she is,” Van replied with a nod. Over by the smokers and grills, Van’s roomie had struck up a conversation with one of the Abernathy men—Tyler, if Van remembered correctly. He’d been a year or two ahead of Van in school. As Van watched, Callie laughed at something Tyler said, her gaze shifting shyly away and then back, her cheeks a little flushed. Cutest thing ever. With Van, Callie was always frank and straightforward. Sometimes Van forgot that her friend had a shy side.
Winona remarked, “Don’t those two look good together?”
Van was just about to agree when Tyler’s mom, Hannah, appeared at his side. She had a baby in her arms. With a quick nod at Callie, Hannah passed the baby to Tyler. A moment later, Callie turned to go. Tyler stared after her, but Callie didn’t look back.
“She really ought to just ask him,” Winona said quietly.
Van frowned at her great-grandmother. “Ask him what, G-G?”
