Magnolia Bride. Tara Randel

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      “There’s a reason why I stay clear of this family of buttinskies.”

      “I know, dear.”

      Nealy swallowed her bitterness. “I know I disappointed them. Do they have to throw it back in my face?”

      “Despite their bluster, they love you, Nealy.”

      “I just wish they’d back off.” She shook her head. “Let’s go, Grandmother.”

      Needing to walk off her temper, Nealy headed to the lobby. The chilly marble floor under her bare feet did little to cool her down. Hopefully Dane had left for the night because she didn’t want to see him. Not after learning what her father had said to him. Her family might mean well, but it wasn’t their call to make. Her past mistake involved Dane. Her mistake and hers alone. She’d work with him for the sake of Juliet, then she was gone. As she’d told him, she had a life. A great job. A future.

      None of which included Dane Peterson.

      * * *

      AS SOON AS she was back at her grandmother’s house, Nealy settled into the guest room. Her parents had downsized when all the kids moved out, leaving no room for her to bunk there, which suited her just fine. To be honest, she felt more at home here. Juliet had asked her to stay at her apartment, but Nealy declined. Being at Grandmother’s always kept her grounded and centered. She needed some peace with everything going on right now.

      After changing into sleeping shorts and a tank top, Nealy sat cross-legged on one of the two twin beds, ready to flip through a scrapbook she’d set on her lap when her grandmother, having changed into her gown and robe, joined her.

      “How are you holding up?” she asked.

      “Just peachy.”

      “Are you really?”

      Nealy laughed. “Yes. I am.”

      “Despite talking to Dane?”

      Leave it to her grandmother to get to the root of the problem. With Dorinda, no subject was too touchy or off-limits.

      “Why is everyone so worried about me and Dane? There’s nothing between us.”

      Dorinda held up her hands. “As long as you’re okay with the eight-hundred-pound gorilla in the room, who am I to argue?”

      “I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Nealy twirled a lock of hair between her fingers.

      “Of course you don’t,” Dorinda said in her I-don’t-believe-you-but-will-let-you-live-in-denial tone. “The next few days won’t be easy so I’ll let the topic of you and Dane slide for now.”

      “Thank you.” She patted the bed, beckoning her grandmother to perch on the edge. “Now, tell me about what’s going on with you. How are things at Cuppa Joe?”

      “Busy, as always. The place keeps me out of trouble.”

      “Did you read the information I sent on the new coffee system?”

      “I appreciate it, but I’m happy with my way of making coffee.”

      “It’s the newest top-of-the-line system available. Upgrading will make your life so much easier.”

      “Maybe, but I’m old-fashioned. I see no need to learn some newfangled thing. I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it again, my pots work just fine.”

      “You are stubborn.”

      “No, just old.”

      Nealy hugged her, comforted by her grandmother’s ever-present lilac scent. “Never.”

      “Old enough to want some fun before I die,” she said with mischief laced in her voice.

      Nealy pulled away. “So that explains your interest in a seniors’ cruise.”

      “Some of my friends talked about going and it sounded like fun.”

      “It will be. To be honest though, I’m worried about one thing.”

      Dorinda laughed. “Only one?”

      “Tell me about these businesspeople bugging you at the shop.”

      “Ah. The evil Cypress Pointe Merchant’s Association.”

      “What’s up with them?”

      “They have all these rules and regulations about how the storefronts must look and are always after me to fix one thing or another. I have to admit, I’m thinking about selling.”

      Nealy’s heart twisted “You would do that?”

      “Dear, as much as I love the place, I’m ready to retire and you know no one in the family wants to run the shop. I can’t go on forever.”

      She couldn’t imagine her grandmother ever slowing down. Or giving up the coffee shop she and her husband had opened before Nealy was born.

      Dorinda patted Nealy’s hand. “The time is coming.”

      “I don’t want to talk about it.”

      Her grandmother frowned. “You always were bullheaded. I wonder where you get it from?”

      Nealy eyed her grandmother suspiciously when Juliet breezed into the room carrying an overnight bag.

      Dorinda rose and kissed Juliet’s cheek. “What are you doing here?”

      “I asked Brandon to drop me off. I want to spend time with Nealy before she escapes again.”

      “I thought you two had plans?”

      Juliet tossed her purse on the other twin bed and reached behind to undo the zipper of her dress. “We rescheduled. Besides, I’ll have a lifetime to spend with him.” She threw Nealy a pointed look. “You, not so much.”

      Dorinda chuckled. “You girls get a good night’s sleep. I’m making pancakes in the morning.”

      Juliet closed the door behind their grandmother then went back to rummaging through her bag. “I’m sorry about tonight. I didn’t know Daddy had said anything to Dane.” Juliet changed into the pj’s she produced from the bag. “Just like old times, right? Parents interfering and Nealy taking off.”

      The remnants of anger from her parents’ actions overshadowed the fatigue seeping into Nealy’s bones. “You’d think I would have been prepared. Would have thought ahead. Made a contingency plan.” She shot her sister a lopsided grin. “I’m losing my touch.”

      “You’ve been gone a long time. Your shields have grown weak.”

      Then again, they always were when it came to Dane.

      Juliet climbed onto the bed beside her. “Anyway, I’m glad we’re together. Now we can catch up without interruption.”

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