mother’s revolving door of men.
“For a long time I thought I was the reason none of them stuck long.” A muscle in his jaw jumped. “I won’t do that to someone else’s kids.”
She understood the do-no-harm mentality, admired the protective streak. That’s why she knew he’d understand her decision. “The potential upheaval dating brings to a child’s life is the reason I won’t date until the twins are out of high school.”
“That’s what you said at the reception.” His inscrutable expression gave no indication of his thoughts on the matter.
Then again, what had she expected him to do? To say?
Did she really think he’d slap her on the back and tell her it was a wise decision? Had she thought he’d argue and try to change her mind? She wouldn’t have wanted that, not at all.
“I spoke with Eliza this morning.” He glanced at his phone, checked the time. “She said you plan to start entering data today.”
Prim took up the conversational ball, finding comfort in the familiar. “Computerizing the Cherries’ financial records will be a piece of cake. I figure I should be able to get all the data keyed in before dinner.”
Max shoved his hands in his pockets. “I have a few things I need to handle, but I can stop over after lunch, help you get started.”
“I appreciate the offer, but like I said, this is pretty basic stuff.”
“That’s not how Gladys felt.”
“At this stage in her life, Gladys’s heart is with the theater.” Prim lifted her chin. “If I had even half her talent, I’d be focused on the stage, too.”
“Spoken like a loyal friend.”
“Just calling it like I see it.” A self-conscious laugh escaped her lips. “Now, coordinating the parade is a whole different animal. I definitely need you to guide me.”
“You can count on me, Prim.” His steady gaze shot tingles down her spine. “Always.”
C hapter S ix
“What did Dad have planned for the boys this morning?” Ami asked, turning around to lock her front door.
Since Hill House, where the Independence Day planning meeting would be held, sat just down the street from her sister’s home, Prim had parked in Ami’s drive and retrieved her sister for the short walk over. Once they reached the home, instead of immediately heading inside they paused on the porch.
“Actually, the boys aren’t with Dad, they’re with Max.” Prim tossed the words out there with all the attention one might give to flicking a piece of lint off a summer dress. A casual disregard that said the twins spending time with Max was no. Big. Deal.
“You and Max are together?” Her sister practically squealed the words. “Of course you’re together. Why else would he be watching the boys? Oh, I can’t wait to tell Beck the good news.”
“Slow down. He’s watching the twins because I’m helping him with the parade. He owes me.”
“If you say so.” Ami’s tone was irritatingly cheery.
“I can’t believe you.” Prim threw up her hands in frustration. “I just moved back and you already have me hooking up with my hunky neighbor. In what universe does that make any kind of sense?”
Ami waved the question aside. Or perhaps she was waving to Katie Ruth, who was striding down the sidewalk, ear buds obviously hooked to a phone in her pocket. Either that or the pretty blonde had taken up talking to herself.
“So you think Max is hunky, huh?”
“Oh, for goodness’ sake.” Prim started toward the porch steps, but Ami grabbed her arm and dug in her heels.
“Not so fast. Really, tell me what’s up with you two.” Her sister’s tone was lighthearted, but the flare of hope she saw in Ami’s green eyes tore at Prim’s heartstrings.
It wasn’t in Prim’s nature to burst anyone’s bubble, but she didn’t understand why clarifying was even necessary. Ami knew where she stood on dating and romance. Prim had made that quite clear. And not all that long ago.
The wine and chocolate the four sisters had consumed
“For a long time I thought I was the reason none of them stuck long.” A muscle in his jaw jumped. “I won’t do that to someone else’s kids.”
She understood the do-no-harm mentality, admired the protective streak. That’s why she knew he’d understand her decision. “The potential upheaval dating brings to a child’s life is the reason I won’t date until the twins are out of high school.”
“That’s what you said at the reception.” His inscrutable expression gave no indication of his thoughts on the matter.
Then again, what had she expected him to do? To say?
Did she really think he’d slap her on the back and tell her it was a wise decision? Had she thought he’d argue and try to change her mind? She wouldn’t have wanted that, not at all.
“I spoke with Eliza this morning.” He glanced at his phone, checked the time. “She said you plan to start entering data today.”
Prim took up the conversational ball, finding comfort in the familiar. “Computerizing the Cherries’ financial records will be a piece of cake. I figure I should be able to get all the data keyed in before dinner.”
Max shoved his hands in his pockets. “I have a few things I need to handle, but I can stop over after lunch, help you get started.”
“I appreciate the offer, but like I said, this is pretty basic stuff.”
“That’s not how Gladys felt.”
“At this stage in her life, Gladys’s heart is with the theater.” Prim lifted her chin. “If I had even half her talent, I’d be focused on the stage, too.”
“Spoken like a loyal friend.”
“Just calling it like I see it.” A self-conscious laugh escaped her lips. “Now, coordinating the parade is a whole different animal. I definitely need you to guide me.”
“You can count on me, Prim.” His steady gaze shot tingles down her spine. “Always.”
C hapter S ix
“What did Dad have planned for the boys this morning?” Ami asked, turning around to lock her front door.
Since Hill House, where the Independence Day planning meeting would be held, sat just down the street from her sister’s home, Prim had parked in Ami’s drive and retrieved her sister for the short walk over. Once they reached the home, instead of immediately heading inside they paused on the porch.
“Actually, the boys aren’t with Dad, they’re with Max.” Prim tossed the words out there with all the attention one might give to flicking a piece of lint off a summer dress. A casual disregard that said the twins spending time with Max was no. Big. Deal.
“You and Max are together?” Her sister practically squealed the words. “Of course you’re together. Why else would he be watching the boys? Oh, I can’t wait to tell Beck the good news.”
“Slow down. He’s watching the twins because I’m helping him with the parade. He owes me.”
“If you say so.” Ami’s tone was irritatingly cheery.
“I can’t believe you.” Prim threw up her hands in frustration. “I just moved back and you already have me hooking up with my hunky neighbor. In what universe does that make any kind of sense?”
Ami waved the question aside. Or perhaps she was waving to Katie Ruth, who was striding down the sidewalk, ear buds obviously hooked to a phone in her pocket. Either that or the pretty blonde had taken up talking to herself.
“So you think Max is hunky, huh?”
“Oh, for goodness’ sake.” Prim started toward the porch steps, but Ami grabbed her arm and dug in her heels.
“Not so fast. Really, tell me what’s up with you two.” Her sister’s tone was lighthearted, but the flare of hope she saw in Ami’s green eyes tore at Prim’s heartstrings.
It wasn’t in Prim’s nature to burst anyone’s bubble, but she didn’t understand why clarifying was even necessary. Ami knew where she stood on dating and romance. Prim had made that quite clear. And not all that long ago.
The wine and chocolate the four sisters had consumed
Similar Books
