Her hand landed on my arm, and she struggled to catch her breath from laughing so hard. “I still think you like her.”
Since when had my baby sister become so astute? My mouth ticked up on one side. “You know what?”
“What?”
“I think you might be right.”
She clapped her hands together while she jumped up and down. “I knew it. Does she like you, too? Are you going to get married?”
“Slow down.” I put my finger to my mouth. “And shush before someone hears you.”
Abby drew her lips into her mouth and clamped down, making her look like she’d lost all her teeth.
“She might like me back a little. But nobody should know. At least until the contest is over, okay?”
Abby nodded, still unable to stand completely still.
“Don’t make me regret telling you. You’ve got to keep this between us.”
Her head bounced up and down.
“You think we need to add a swing, huh?” I let out a sigh as I shook my head. Abby had a point. If we were going to bill the Pucker-Up Path as a main feature of the Fall Festival this year, adding a swing would definitely provide the right touch.
“So, do you like her like her or just like her?” Abby asked, her hands clasped together while she waited for me to respond.
“We’re done discussing my love life.” I couldn’t believe I’d even shared as much as I had. But it wasn’t like I had anyone else to talk to about matters of the heart. Colin and I used to confide in each other. But like everything else, that was ruined when my brother turned his back on everyone.
“Let’s get these vines planted and then I’ll see about adding a swing if I have time before the festival starts. Sound good?”
Abby grinned as she nodded her head.
“You can talk again now. As long as you keep it down.”
“Okay. I’m so excited. Do you think Delilah will wear a dress like the bride from the wedding yesterday when you get married? Are you going to move into town? Can I pick out theflavor on your cake? Jojo said she really wants to try to make one with lemon frosting, and I know you like lemons. Or at least you used to because Mom said one time you used all her lemons to make lemonade, and I...”
I tuned her out. I had to if I wanted to get the rest of my to-do list done. When we’d finished planting the vines and running them through the holes in the lattice arbor, I sent a group text to check on my brothers. Everyone had finished their stations. Eager to wrap things up and get back to Delilah, I packed up the truck and headed to our meeting point.
CHAPTER 22
DELILAH
I wasready for Stella to head home. I needed the next week without my mother around to figure out how I felt about everything, especially Jasper. But before Stella left, I was determined to get to the bottom of whatever secret she’d been keeping.
I pulled up in front of the motel, expecting I’d have to humor my mother into a late brunch before she had to hit the road for the drive home. But as I brought the truck to a stop, Stella came out of the door like she’d been waiting.
“Good morning.” Stella slid into the front seat, her fingers wrapped around a book. Or maybe it was a photo album.
“What do you have there?” I asked.
“My high school yearbook. It’s not my copy. God only knows where my things ended up after I left home, but I borrowed it from someone I reconnected with at the wedding last night.”
“Do I get to see?” My fingers itched to flip through the pages, as if I could find answers from my mother’s past somewhere inside.
Stella slid her dark sunglasses into place. “I need coffee first. Lots and lots of coffee.”
“I know just the spot.” I didn’t press things until after Jojo had shown us to a table in the back at the Burger Bonanza. Jasper hadn’t been joking when he said the place got busy on the weekends. I might not be able to eat much off the menu since there were very few vegetarian options, but the coffee was strong, hot, and never ending.
“Where the hell have you brought me now?” Stella slid into the booth with her hands in the air, like she was afraid to touch anything.
