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“I’ll let you drive me home. Besides, the walk took less than ten minutes. My parents’ house has a great location.”
He smiled. “Still doing okay, living with them for so long?”
“It’s fine. I know my little house back in Seattle is lonely, but it will recover. Belle appreciates all the attention, and ever since she went after Burt, they’ve developed something of a friendship.” She paused. “Okay, friendship is strong, but there’s definitely a truce. I’m hoping she can get a little more confident in the rest of her life.”
“Belle will always have a place in my heart.”
Because she’d protected Harrison, Reggie thought.
Their server appeared and took their drink order. Toby mentioned he would have a glass of wine with dinner, so he ordered a soft drink. Reggie hesitated, not sure if she should get a cocktail.
“Order what you want,” he told her. “Get something girly.”
She laughed and asked for a cosmo.
“How was your day?” she asked when they were alone again.
“I had to deal with crabby tourists,” he said. “I went downstairs to get lunch and found Shaye being yelled at by this young couple who’d come up yesterday morning because snow was predicted. They complained that the town should have held the celebration because it had snowed.”
“But not long enough, and why were they yelling at Shaye? She works in a hand pie shop.”
“I know. That’s what I said.” He smiled. “That annoyed them even more, so they stalked out swearing they were never coming to Wishing Tree again.”
“It’s going to snow when it snows,” she said, thinking Dena was probably waiting for that to happen, hoping Micah would kiss her again. Despite her sister’s insistence that he was still in love with his late wife, Reggie hoped that Micah was getting serious about Dena.
“What are you smiling about?” Toby asked, his voice teasing. “If it’s another guy, then you and I need to talk about that.”
She laughed. “I suppose technically it is another guy. Micah Ruiz.”
He frowned. “The singer? Why were you thinking about him?”
“He’s in town. Didn’t you know? He’s staying at the B and B and flirting with my sister. I’m hoping it’s more than just a passing thing.”
“Dena and the rock star. I like it.”
“Me, too,” she admitted. “I’m glad Dena’s having a baby. That’s going to be so great for all of us, but I wish she hadn’t given up on love so soon. She’s a wonderful person, and she deserves love in her life.”
“You’re a good sister.”
“I try to be.” She looked at him. “Okay, enough about that. What are you getting Harrison for Christmas?”
They talked while she sipped her cocktail, then ordered dinner. Conversation flowed easily. Toby was as interesting as he’d ever been, and they still shared a sense of humor. He had her laughing at descriptions of failed hand pie flavors when she sensed someone approaching. She turned and felt her laughter fade when she saw Jake Crane standing by their table.
“Hello, Reggie.”
Toby’s first reaction was annoyance, followed by a somewhat violent urge to punch Jake in the face. He and the other man had been rivals in high school, which didn’t matter much, but they’d also both loved Reggie, which suddenly mattered a lot.
He glanced at her, trying to gauge what she was thinking. Her wide-eyed expression made it clear she’d had no idea Jake was back in Wishing Tree, let alone in the same restaurant.
“Jake,” she said, her voice surprised. “Hi.”
Jake smiled at her. “I was walking by and saw you. I thought I’d come say hello. It’s been a while.”
“It has.”
“I’m in town to spend the holidays with my mom. This time of year is hard for her, what with her missing my dad and all.” He turned to Toby. “Newkirk.”
“Crane.”
