“I’ll see you tonight.”
She let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. She thought he might say he loved her, and in the silence, she thought she might, too. After they ended the call, Elisabeth sat for a long while, soaking in those emotions and knowing that when the time was right, they’d both know. A knock on the door pulled her from her thoughts. On a sigh, she went to answer the door. A wiry woman with black frames on her pointy nose and an old tabby cat bundled in her arms stood on her porch.
“Hi.” Elisabeth opened the door.
“Elisabeth?”
“Yes.”
“I’m Alice Shalmer, and this is Flossie. I would have called, but, well, I’m old-school and I believe in visiting when you want to talk to someone.” Alice wore a simple blue cotton dress, belted at her waist, with a pair of flats.
She smiled, and Elisabeth stepped to the side and invited her in.
“Jim Trowell is a friend of mine, and not that I think I’m going to lose Flossie anytime soon, but he told me about how you massaged Gracie, and my sweet Flossie could really use a massage. I was wondering if you could fit her in one day.”
“Oh, Alice, of course. Come sit down, and I’ll do it now.” Maybe she should have been miffed at the interruption to her day, but Alice’s stopping by was refreshing. This was what she’d remembered about Trusty. How many times had people stopped by to see her aunt out of the blue while she was playing in the yard, and her aunt would spend an hour visiting with friends. In the confusion of trying to fit in, she’d almost forgotten how here, relationships didn’t rely on email and cell phones. While she was met with resistance for her first few weeks, she felt things changing, and Alice proved that. People were coming around, even if slowly.
She laid Flossie down on the couch and began massaging her back and belly. Flossie yawned, accompanied by a long, lazy stretch. She was obviously used to being stroked and pampered.
“She’s really sweet. You must touch her a lot. Cats are usually skittish with me.”
Alice’s gaze warmed, easing the crow’s-feet by her eyes and the worry lines that traveled across her forehead. “She’s a little spoiled, I’m afraid. I’ve had her since she was born. I’m almost embarrassed to say that she long ago claimed my bed pillow as her own.”
Elisabeth laughed. “I love that you let her.”
“Oh, I had no choice. Every night I’d say, Bedtime, and she’d follow me upstairs. While I was brushing my teeth, she settled in.” She leaned forward in the armchair where she was sitting. “Do you know that look that cats get, kind of like this.” She pursed her lips and drew her brows together.
“The I’m-the-queen look. Cats are so good at that. I’ll bet Flossie is a master.”
Alice sighed. “Well, she was. No need anymore. It’s her pillow, as I said. Now she smiles when I climb into bed.”
Elisabeth picked up Flossie when she was done with the massage and nuzzled her against her chin. “Listen to how loudly she’s purring. I think she liked it.” She handed Flossie to Alice. “I’m glad you came by, Alice. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“Thank you for letting us interrupt your day. It smells heavenly in here. Cora’s pies always did smell like home.”
Home. She loved that, and not only did it smell like home, it finally felt like home, too. Homes had visitors, friends, and lovers, and finally, hers did.
“Baking with her are some of my fondest memories.”
Alice hesitated on the front porch. “I just wanted to say one more thing. You are as lovely a woman as I could imagine for Ross.”
Elisabeth was no longer shocked that people knew about her and Ross. Obviously, if word had traveled to Allure, Trusty residents had been the ones to send the gossip there. But she was thrilled to have the approval of longtime residents, even if it seemed like something she shouldn’t need or want. She was learning more and more about Trusty every day, and she liked what she saw. The people here watched out for their own. Ross was definitely homegrown, and a strong example of what she’d always believed the people of Trusty to be like, further cementing her desire to be part of the community that she felt more rooted to with every passing day.
Emily pulled into the driveway at six o’clock as Elisabeth was coming out of the barn after feeding Kennedy. Emily stepped from the car wearing a pair of cutoffs and cowgirl boots with a white tank top. Her hair was loose, falling over her shoulders in natural waves. She had an armful of drawings and a smile on her face.
“Hi. Sorry I’m late. I ran home to change.” She held an arm out and hugged Elisabeth. “I also brought some goodies, just in case we need them. Can you hold these?” She handed Elisabeth the drawings and pulled a bag from the backseat of her car.
“You didn’t have to do that. I have plenty of snacks here.”
“Oh, I didn’t bring snacks.” She pulled out a bottle of ready-made margaritas. “Wes said he was meeting Ross for drinks, so I figured you might want some company.”
Elisabeth swallowed against the emotions welling within her. Friendships were so hard to come by. She’d felt like they were becoming close during their daily phone calls, but now she was sure it wasn’t just her imagination.
“Come on. Let’s go over the drawings.” Emily looped her arm into Elisabeth’s, the way she had the first time they met. “I might have brought cheese and crackers, too.”
Elisabeth cleared off the table so Emily could set the drawings down.
“And a box of chocolate.”
“The perfect girls’ night.”
“I’m an expert at girls’ nights. Not so great at the whole date night thing, though. I put together this whole spa day for Callie once and helped Wes plan a fairy tale night. My brothers love to be romantic, but they always need someone to help coordinate, you know? It’s easy to help with the romantic stuff. It’s just a matter of doing all the things you hope a guy would do for you.” Emily sighed.
She poured them each a drink and handed one to Emily. “Well, Ross seems to do well on his own.”
Emily sighed. “Yeah. I told you he was pretty great.”
Pretty great didn’t even begin to touch on what Elisabeth thought of Ross. Caring. Loving. Empathetic. Masculine. Sexy. The best lover ever.
They spent the next hour going over the drawings, and Elisabeth loved the ideas Emily had drawn up.
“I kept this all budget friendly. So even though it seems like a lot with three ovens and the island with the extended bar, I think we can still keep it within your original budget. We’ll refinish the existing cabinets instead of buying all new ones, and that will save a lot, too.”
“I love all of these ideas. How long will the renovations take?”
Emily poured them each a third drink. “My best estimate is about three weeks, but it’ll depend on who you hire to do the final work, and we can talk about that.” She began rolling up the drawings. “There is one thing, though. I’m leaving for Tuscany in a few weeks, so we should probably get this going, or make a decision to do it after I return.”
“Tuscany? Wow, that sounds amazing. Who are you going with?”
Emily pulled another bottle of margaritas from the bag and handed Elisabeth the bag. “I’ll fill you in if you put the munchies on a plate.”
“I like the way you think.” Elizabeth set the food on a platter and added a hunk of fresh bread she’d baked when she’d made the pies that morning.
“Oh, let’s not eat bread. Let’s eat pizza. I can call Joe’s and have them deliver.”
They settled into the living room with their drinks, and Emily told her about the trip Wes had given her as a gift for helping with Callie’s spa day and fairy tale night.
“I hope there are more single men there than here.” Emily sighed.
“You must have guys fawning all over you. You’re gorgeous, smart, funny, and an amazing architect.”
“Yeah.” Emily laughed. “No, really. I never date. Maybe it’s because I grew up here, so I know the
good, the bad, and the ugly about all the single guys, or maybe they find me intimidating because I have a successful business and five very protective brothers. Hey, maybe they scared them all off.” Emily laughed. “All I know is that it kind of sucks, but at least I have girlfriends.”
By the time the pizza arrived, they were already tipsy. Emily answered the door.
“Caleb Stowers, look at you all grown up and driving.” Caleb looked about seventeen with a mop of brown hair and wearing a Joe’s Pizza T-shirt.
“And you look to be two sheets to the wind.” Caleb laughed.
Emily paid for the pizza and handed it to Elisabeth.
“You’re the girl dating Dr. Braden. The dog whisperer or something, right?” Caleb said to Elisabeth.
“Dog pamperer maybe, but not dog whisperer.” She laughed and held on to Emily when she wobbled a little from the alcohol.
Caleb laughed. “I hope you guys aren’t driving tonight.”
“We’re not,” they said in unison and waved as he left.
“Let’s call Callie and Daisy. I bet they’d love to come over.” Emily carried the pizza into the living room and took out her phone.
“Sounds fun. Oh, and I have the perfect movie we can watch.” Elisabeth sank to her knees before the DVD rack and took each movie off the shelf, setting it aside as she assessed the titles.
“Okay, but I don’t want to watch some sappy romance.”
Twenty minutes later, with two big piles of movies beside her, she finally held a DVD box over her head. “Found it! Practical Magic. Totally fun movie about sisters and magic and, well, there is a guy, but it’s not sappy.”
The screen door opened and Callie and Daisy came into the living room with another pizza box and a liquor bag.
“Wow, you started without us.” Daisy went into the kitchen, and Elisabeth heard the cabinets opening and closing. She came back with two glasses, hugged Elisabeth and Emily, and handed a glass to Callie. “So good to see you guys.”
“You have no idea how much I needed this. It’s been a crazy week and it’s only Wednesday. Who knew working at a library could be stressful?” Callie filled their glasses, then flopped onto the couch.
Daisy raised her hand. “I did. I could never do all that organizing and finding books for people. What if they want books that suck?”
“Oh, they do.” Callie laughed. “But my favorite are the old ladies who come in asking, I think there’s a book about relationships. Um. Fifty something.” Callie rolled her eyes. “As if I’m stupid. They pretend not to know what it’s about, and when I hand them Fifty Shades, they always say something like, My daughter told me to read this.”
They all laughed.
“I would never tell my mother to read that book,” Daisy said. “Although she could probably use it to loosen up a little.”
“My mother could have written that book,” Elisabeth admitted.
“Really?” Callie asked.
“She’s the opposite of repressed.” Elisabeth opened the pizza and everyone grabbed a piece.
“Well, that’s good. At least we know you’re not repressed,” Emily said.
Elisabeth froze. She felt her eyes widen. Had someone seen them at the lake?
Daisy elbowed Elisabeth. “She’s shittin’ you. Emily, you’re as bad as Jake.”
Emily laughed. She was sitting by the television and put the DVD into the player. “I’m sorry, but that look was priceless.”
“Geez. You freaked me out for a second there.”
“Ah, so Ross is a hot lover? I wondered…Gentleman in public, bad boy in the bedroom.” Daisy raised her eyebrows in quick succession.
Elisabeth felt her cheeks flush, but even though she was embarrassed, she was eating up every second of having real girlfriends and finally feeling like she fit in. The fact that they were all connected to Ross made her cherish their friendships even more.
“You guys going to the county fair?” Emily asked.
“I have a booth. I’m doing pawdicures and selling beer cakes and pies,” Elisabeth said proudly.
“Beer cakes? The guys will eat those up. Luke is showing the girls. This is Shaley’s big coming out. Do you want help at the booth?” Daisy asked. “I can help except during the showing. I want to see our baby girl’s big event.”
“Of course! I’d love it. I was a little nervous about doing it by myself,” Elisabeth admitted. “Honestly, though, I doubt many people will come by the booth, but the company would be nice.”
“I’m sure people will come by. Wes is roping cattle in the rodeo, so I can help if you want, except I’d like to watch when he does his thing,” Callie said. “I swear, he’s so freaking hot.”
“Please! He is my brother,” Emily said. “That’s the problem. I’m related to all the decent men around here.”
“Sorry,” Callie said; then she turned to Elisabeth and whispered, “But he is freaking hot.”
Elisabeth laughed.
“We’ll all help with the booth. It’ll be fun,” Emily said as they all piled onto the couch. “I can’t wait for you to meet Jake. He’s doing his stuntman thing at the monster truck rally, or the demolition derby. I don’t remember which. He’s coming out on the red-eye.”
“His stunts scare the pants off of me,” Callie said.
“Me too. I can barely watch,” Daisy agreed.
“Well, I’m excited to meet him. So your oldest brother isn’t coming?” Elisabeth felt like she was already part of their big, glorious family.
“No. He had a big acquisition meeting that he couldn’t reschedule. I wish he and Rebecca could come.”
Elisabeth started the movie, and Emily jumped to her feet. “Wait.”
“What?” Elisabeth asked.
“Rebecca should be here. We need to Skype her.” Emily looked around the living room. “Do you have a laptop?”
“Of course. Doesn’t everyone?” Elisabeth rose to her feet, and swayed. She had definitely had enough alcohol. She grabbed on to Emily’s hand for stability, and they went together to get the laptop from the kitchen.
“Oh. Who’s this?” Emily held up the picture of Elisabeth and Robbie.
“Ex. Very long-ago ex.” She reached for the picture, and Emily pulled it out of her reach.
“He’s cute.”
“Yup.” She grabbed her laptop.
“Looks nice, too.” Emily traced the edge of the frame with her finger and looked at Elisabeth.
“Supernice.”
“So? What happened?”
Elisabeth sighed, realizing she wasn’t going to avoid this conversation with one-word answers. She took the picture from Emily and stared down at it. “He dumped me to finish his PhD.”
“Ouch.” Emily scrunched her nose.
“Yeah. It was a long time ago.”
“Are you still in touch?” Emily asked.
“Nope. I haven’t heard from him in more than a year.” She shoved the frame facedown in the box and closed the cardboard flaps. “Come on. Let’s go Skype. I don’t want to waste our time on that guy.”
“You’ll love Rebecca. She’s so great.” Emily lowered her voice to a whisper. “Her mom died, so she needs us.”
Elisabeth stopped cold. “Died? Oh my God.”
“She had cancer. It’s so sad, but Rebecca’s doing great, and you know Pierce takes great care of her—even if she doesn’t let him do everything. Rebecca’s the strongest girl I know.” Emily took out her phone and put the call on speakerphone.
“Hi, Em,” Rebecca said.
The other girls yelled, “Hi, Rebecca.”
Elisabeth’s heart swelled. She loved the camaraderie of the girls. She loved them.
“Becca, we’re all at Elisabeth’s,” Emily explained. “She’s Ross’s girlfriend, and we’re having a girls’ night. Wanna join us?”
“Oh my God! Yes! I’m so bummed that we won’t be there this weekend. I really wanted to come.”
“You should have come without him,” Emily sugg
ested.
“Yeah, that’s what he said, too, but…” Rebecca’s voice trailed off.
“But she won’t leave her love bunny’s side,” Daisy said. Callie elbowed her. “What? I meant it nicely. I wouldn’t leave Luke for a weekend. I’d miss him too much. Maybe years from now, but at this point? No way do I want to wake up without him.”
“I’m so glad you guys called,” Rebecca said. “Pierce has a late meeting, so I’m all alone.”
“Not anymore,” Callie said. “We’ll Skype you, and you can watch the movie with us.”
They set up Skype, refilled their glasses, and settled into watching the movie squished next to one another on the couch. Emily shifted to her side and stretched her leg over Callie and Daisy; her foot landed beside Elisabeth, and she wiggled it.
“Foot massage?” Emily asked with hopeful eyes.
They all laughed, and so began a round of foot massages and musical chairs—and the best girls’ night of Elisabeth’s life.
ROSS SAT ACROSS from Wes and Luke in a booth in the back of the bar. Country music blared through the overhead speakers. It had been a few weeks since he and his brothers had gotten together for a drink, and Ross was having a great time, but he missed Elisabeth. He’d texted her an hour earlier, but she still hadn’t responded. He checked his cell phone again. Still no text.
“Would you put that damn thing away?” Wes said as he checked his own phone.
“Look who’s talking. What the hell happened to you two?” Luke slung an arm over Wes’s shoulder. “We used to come here and stay until one o’clock in the morning. It’s ten thirty and you’re both dying to get home to your women.”
“I was just making sure there weren’t any texts from Chip about the ranch. We had a big group arriving tonight.” Wes shoved his phone in his pocket.
“Yeah, right.” Luke laughed. “And what’s your excuse, Ross? Checking for animal emergencies?”
“Don’t even try to pretend that you didn’t go into the men’s room to text Daisy, you ass.” Ross held his hand out. “Give me your phone.”
“No.” Luke crossed his arms over his chest.
“Hand it over, big mouth. Five bucks says there are at least two texts to Daisy in the last two hours.” Ross narrowed his gaze, and Luke held strong.
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