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I add, "You don't have to worry about your family. I really like them."

He presses a kiss to my temple, satisfied, and interjects his opinion about the football game.

My phone buzzes partway through Georgia's peach cobbler. Carla's name lights up the screen, and I excuse myself away from the chaos. I answer, "Hey, girl."

"Hey. My boss is making me come to town this week for the races," she says with slight dread in her voice.

"That's awesome! I'll get to see you!"

"Well, I'd rather see you anywhere but Whispering Junction."

"Aw. It's not that bad. You used to love it," I remind her.

"Used to being the key words."

Mason appears, grinning, and already reaching for the phone before I can react. "Is that Carla? Let me talk to her."

I press the phone tighter against my ear, angling away from him. "Carla, Mason wants to talk to you."

"No."

I cover the receiver and glare. He's Jagger's brother, but it doesn't mean I need to like him after what he's done to Carla. "She doesn't want to talk to you."

"Come on. Let me talk to her," he whines.

I turn my back fully on Mason, lowering my voice. "Sorry. Mason's being Mason."

"Tell her I need to talk to her," he declares.

"Tell him he doesn't get the privilege anymore. I'll call you when I get to town," she says.

"Okay. Sounds good. Safe travels," I reply and hang up.

"Is she coming to town?" Mason asks.

I spin back to him. "She doesn't want to talk to you or see you, Mason. So back off."

"What did I ever do to her?" he whines.

"Seriously?"

"What?" he questions like he really doesn't know.

I point at him. "You're either stupid or a big liar. Either way, leave her alone. No means no. Drop it."

His eyes narrow, but he turns and leaves.

I lean against the porch rail, taking a few deep breaths.

Jagger comes up. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing." I force a smile.

He hesitates. "You sure?"

"Yeah."

"That was Carla?"