Crimson Ranch?â
April nodded. âI got the last empty booth. No pressure, but youâre welcome to join me.â
Emily thought about declining. She knew Katie had a big group of friends. Hell, everyone in town loved her future sister-in-law. But even though sheâd grown up in Crimson, Emily had no one. Thatâs the way sheâd wanted it since she got back to town. It was simpler, less mess.
But now the thought of a full meal with adult conversation actually appealed to her. So did spending time with April. The woman was a few years older than Emily but with her gorgeous copper hair and bright green eyes, she looked like she just stepped off the pages of a mountain resort catalog. âAre you sure you donât mind?â
âIâd love it,â April said, gesturing to the empty banquette across from her. âIt feels strange to be eating alone when thereâs a crowd waiting for tables.â
Emily slid into the booth. âThank you.â
A waitress came by the table almost immediately with a glass of water and another menu. Thankfully, the young woman was a stranger to Emily.
âAre you interested in staying incognito?â April asked when they were alone again. âYou looked terrified the waitress might recognize you.â
Emily blew out a breath. âI donât have the best reputation in town.â
âA sordid past?â April leaned forward and lifted her delicate brows. âDo tell.â
âNothing exciting,â Emily answered with a laugh. âSimple story of me thinking I was better than I should have as a girl. Life has a way of slapping you down if you get too big for your britches.â She shrugged. âPeople in small towns like to bear witness to it.â
âLife throws out curveballs whether youâre big or small,â April agreed.
The waitress returned to the table and, as she took Aprilâs order, Emily studied the other woman. April wore no makeup but her fair skin was smooth, and her body fit under a soft pink T-shirt. She looked natural and freshâperfect for Crimson. After Emily ordered, April smiled. âI met your mom a couple of times at Katieâs bakery. Sheâs lovely.â
Emily nodded. âOne of the most amazing women I know.â
âHow is she feeling?â
âShe gets tired more quickly, but otherwise is back to her normal self. We were lucky the tumor was benign and they could remove it without damaging any other part of her brain.â
âShe was lucky to have you and Noah come back to help her.â
âI wouldnât have been any other place but by her side. Thatâs what family is for, you know?â
âIâve heard,â April answered softly. âMy friend Sara is the closest thing I have to family.â
Sara Travers, who ran the guest ranch outside town with her husband, Josh, had moved to Crimson a couple years ago from Los Angeles. Sara had been a famous child star and still acted when the right project came along. Otherwise, she and Joshâa Crimson native and one of Noahâs good friendsâspent their time managing Crimson Ranch. âDid you come to Crimson with Sara?â
April nodded. âWe didnât plan on staying, but then she met Josh and...â
âThe rest is history?â
âShe had a tough couple of years and deserves this happiness.â
âIf my brother is any indication, Crimson is the place for happy endings.â She smiled. âHave you found your happy-ever-after here?â
âItâs a good place to build a life,â April said and Emily realized the words werenât an answer to the question.
âOr rebuild a life.â The waitress brought their orders, a club sandwich for Emily and a salad for April. Emily leaned across the table. âI like you and I appreciate the invitation to lunch, but after seeing what you eat Iâm not sure we can be friends.â She
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