One of them laughed, and Maddy realized she’d missed both their names.
“We’ve caught her off guard. He told us you rescued him from certain death.”
“He’s helpless when it comes to this place—I should know. I’m afraid it’s my fault he got stuck with it.”
Crock-Pot nodded toward Yoga Pants. “Lexie talked him into buying the restaurant a couple years ago. Then she bailed on him.”
“I decided to further my education!” Lexie defended herself, clearly not for the first time.
“You seem to know your way around a kitchen,” Crock-Pot said.
Maddy blinked. “I’m sorry, I missed your name.”
“Tara. I’m the older of us girls.”
Now that she was up close Maddy could see the resemblance to Connor. She had those brackets at the corners of her mouth when she smiled.
Lexie shared Connor’s golden hair and gray eyes.
“There’s a ten-year gap between Connor and me,” Tara said. “He was so much trouble—or so we tell him—our parents waited ten years to try again.”
“And a couple years later they went for one more,” Lexie said.
“Because I was so delightful,” Tara added.
“Well, it’s nice to meet you both.” She addressed Lexie. “You used to manage this place? Are you responsible for the menu? It’s quite nice. I was pleasantly surprised.”
“That was mostly Cheryl’s doing, but I did hire the chef who created those brilliant dishes.”
“And she fixed the place up,” Tara said. “It was a real shack when Connor bought it. Then she ditched him to get her degree, and she’s currently mooching off me.”
“Excuse me.” She addressed Maddy. “I’m her resident babysitter.”
“I’m just teasing,” Tara said. “She’s putting in her time.”
Tara.
Maddy suddenly remembered the name in cursive letters on a package, accented with hearts. She wanted to plant her palm in the middle of her forehead.
“You’re from Charlotte?” Tara asked Maddy. “You manage a restaurant there, I hear.”
Connor had obviously shared some things with his sisters. Four eyes peered at her with curiosity. “Yes. I’m just here temporarily, getting the family beach cottage in order.”
“We’ve met your grandmother,” Lexie said. “She’s so cute.”
“She’s in Boise at the moment, visiting friends.”
“Good for her,” Lexie said. “She seems like quite the character.”
“Oh, she is,” Maddy said.
“Well, I’m glad we got to meet you,” Tara said. “We just wanted to pop in and see how things were going while we’re in town.”
“You don’t live in Seahaven?” Maddy asked, forgetting for a moment the address on the package.
“No, Whiteville. Lexie and I came in for the night and are headed back after we eat.”
“We didn’t want Connor to be alone last night.” Lexie bit her lip, her gaze drifting away.
