“You absolutely are.” Paige nodded confidently. “You got that first-kiss glow.”
Their mother turned back toward the stove suspiciously fast, clearly hiding a smile.
Cowards.
Every woman in her life lacked loyalty when it came to her personal life.
Johanna poured hot coffee before she swung around and wrapped both hands around the mug. “Everybody relax. It was one dinner.”
Paige leaned across the table, her large dark eyes wide and expressive. “And one kiss?”
Johanna stared at her silently.
Paige screamed loud enough to shake cabinets. “I knew it!”
Their father lowered the newspaper again. “Now hold on.”
“Oh my God,” Paige shrieked toward the stove. “Mama! She kissed Blaze!”
“I gathered that, baby.”
Johanna dropped back into the chair and groaned. “This family is exhausting.”
Her mother finally joined them carrying a plate stacked high with pancakes. “You know everybody’s talking already.”
“Wonderful.”
She put pancakes on each of their plates as she said, “Miss Lillian called me before eight.”
Johanna’s head snapped up in horror. “Why?”
Her mother fought a smile and failed miserably. “Apparently she wanted advance warning in case she needed to prepare a large flower order for your future wedding.” She paused just long enough to enjoy Johanna’s suffering. “She also mentioned Blaze came into the shop personally to buy flowers for your date.”
Paige nearly slid off the chair laughing.
Johanna looked toward heaven for patience.
Or escape.
Either would help.
Then her mother’s expression softened. As she leaned forward, silver curls bounced around her oval face. “Did the two of you finally work things out?”
The question quieted the kitchen.
Johanna lowered her eyes to the plate in front of her because beneath all the teasing, gossip, and family dramatics… that was the real issue, wasn’t it?
She traced one finger slowly around the rim of her mug.
“No. Yes. Not really.”
Her mother studied her carefully. “But?”
Johanna exhaled softly. “But things between us still feel unfinished.”
The honesty settled heavily across the room.
Paige’s expression softened first.
