Page 93 of Key West Homecoming

“Whose name?”

“Kelleher.”

Leah stared at her.

“She says it differently,” Tess continued. “Not the way she says Rachel or Samantha or Arthur. Different.”

“That’s what you’re basing this on?”

“It’s enough.”

From the far end of the bar, Lloyd said, “Kelleher.”

Both women turned.

“Lloyd, you’ve had your back to us for an hour,” Tess said. “How are you listening to this?”

“I’ve been sitting on this stool forty-six years. My ears still work.”

Leah sighed. “Do you know Jake?”

“Never met him.” Lloyd lifted his beer. “Good name, though. Sounds like a man who knows how to fix things.”

“Nobody said he fixes things.”

“Emma did. Twice.”

Tess pointed at him. “See?”

“See what?” Leah asked.

“She likes him.”

“So?”

“So she’s supposed to be going back to Chicago.”

Leah looked at the door again before she could stop herself.

Tess caught it. “You’re worried too.”

“I’m worried she’ll talk herself into leaving because going back is easier than figuring out why she might want to stay.”

Tess smiled slowly.

“Oh, don’t start. And don’t tell me you learned that from a romance novel.”

“Maybe you should read more of them.”

“I read romance novels,” Lloyd said.

This time both sisters turned all the way around.

“You?” Leah asked. “I’ve never seen you read a book in here.”

Lloyd put down his beer. “Leah, just because I spend a fair amount of time at this bar does not mean I don’t have a life when I leave it.”

She looked at him for a second. “You’re right. I’m sorry.”