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date.”

    I let out a breath. “How did you know about that?”

    “Aunt Lily texted me,” she said in a sleepy voice.

    Oh, my family. I grimaced. “Of course she did, and no, it’s no big deal.”

    “It’s that veterinarian, isn’t it?” she asked, her voice going all cutesy. She could do cutesy. She managed to turn out normal, thank God. “That is a big deal.”

    “Don’t make me come hurt you,” I said, a chuckle working its way in. “It’s just breakfast, it’s at the butcher shop, it’s not anything fancy.”

    “Do I need to come dress you?” she asked.

    “I’ve got it under control,” I said. “Why are you even awake?”

    Abby lived in Katyville, where she worked afternoons at a temp agency and nights at a seafood restaurant. She normally got in at two in the morning and slept till ten. That was the hard way she’d chosen instead of going to college like I’d saved for her to do. At twenty-one, however, she was making her own way and her own choices. I’d basically done the same thing, so I couldn’t really talk, but I’d hoped she would make easier choices. On the upside, she was much more together and mature than I was at her age, and she wasn’t dating a biker or musician or getting pregnant. I had to be optimistic.

    “I kind of haven’t been to bed yet,” Abby said on a yawn.

    And my optimism faded.

    “Oh, Abby,” I said.

    “Nope, we’re focusing on you this morning,” she said. “What are you wearing?”

    I sighed. “Black and red.”

    “That’s good,” she said. “Goes good with your hair. Down or up?”

    “Down.”

    “Send me a picture.”

    I scoffed. “Seriously? I don’t do selfies, my girl, just use your imagination. And go to bed,” I said. “Do you work tonight?”

    “I work this afternoon, but I’m off tonight, so I’ll go to bed early, Mom,” she said. “It’s all good.” To be young and not in need of rest. I could just picture her, sprawled on her couch with pajama pants and a blanket, blonde hair pulled up on top of her head, chugging a Diet Dr. Pepper to ease a hangover. I remembered those days, sort of, in a foggy haze kind of way. “Text me when you’re at work, I want to know how it went.”

    I rubbed my forehead. “You know, I do go on dates,” I said. “I’m not locked away in the Disney vault. This isn’t wild and crazy news.”

    “Kind of is,” she said on a laugh. “Love you, bye.”

    I blew out a breath as I pocketed my phone. “Kind of is.” I hadn’t mentioned Ian. She didn’t need to know he was coming back. Not that she probably even remembered how much she used to love him, but still. Why dredge all that back up.

    Why dredge, indeed.

Chapter Four

     

     

    Duncan was waiting when I pulled up in front of our barn and parked. He was hard to miss over there, standing behind a dark green Jeep, leaning against the back of it with his arms crossed over his chest. Good God, he looked good enough to eat.

    I had hoped to beat him so I’d have a few minutes to get the hyperventilating out of the way, but that wasn’t going to happen. So he was an early arriver—good to know. In case there were more arrivals in our future.

    As I got out, I allowed myself a quick scan. No motorcycles, although it was silly to assume that Ian would still be riding one. That was eleven years ago, and he was a diver. Hard to tote tanks and gear around with a bike. More likely, he’d have an SUV of some sort. And hopefully it would run me over in the middle of the street before I continued to think any more on it. Jesus, I had a drool-worthy man smiling at me just yards away. I had to get a grip.

    “Hey, you,” I said as Duncan’s smile widened.

    “Morning,” he said. “You look nice. Already talked to your dad a few minutes ago.”

    I tried not to stumble. Glorious. Dad already checking out who I was having breakfast with. He knew Duncan from some Chamber of Commerce thing they were both part of. He was the one