Page 60 of Honeycombs & Homecomings

“What’s going on here?” Ryan asked. “If you’re Tony, then who was that other guy?”

The stalks swished apart and grabbed everyone’s attention. Jo stepped aside and looked at the path she’d forced as Cash came through. He shoved stalks aside like they were nothing, not a single leaf sticking to him anywhere, coming out looking as fresh as the paint on her wall back at the store. Paint that they’d needed because of Tony.

Cash raised a hand. “That’d be me. Cash Evans.”

“Cash!” Allie squealed and clapped her hands together. She advanced, arms out, smile firmly in place.

***

Cash smiled at Allie as she rushed toward him. He had to admit, he was glad to see her. Not just to see her in one piece after she’d been kidnapped, but happy to see her after all these years. He’d loved Jo, but losing Allie had been painful for him too. She’d been one of his best friends, one of the people he saw as a haven when everything in his world seemed to be crashing down.

Her arms were outstretched as she approached, so he lifted his to embrace her back. But then her face fell, and her right hand shot out. He stepped back just in time to dodge her slap. The honey crisp apple that’d been in his pocket fell out near his feet.

“You broke my sister’s heart!” She tried slapping for him again, and he dodged, nearly rolling his ankle over said apple. “You know how long it took her to get over you? Months, nay! Years!”

Nay? Oh boy. Looked like those drama classes she took in high school were still serving her well.

Jo shook her head, raising her hands in a warding motion. “No, that’s not true. I’m fine. I was fine.”

Allie pointed at her. “Because of you, she hasn’t had one serious boyfriend, like, ever!”

Cash glanced at Jo, still dodging Allie.

Jo blinked. “That’s not true! I’ve had two, almost three serious boyfriends.”

“Oh, please,” Allie said.

Cash chuckled, loving the cute horrified look on Jo’s face, while at the same time fearing Allie.

Allie whipped off a heel and aimed it at him. “You think this is funny?”

Quick as lightening, Cash reached into his pant pocket where he’d stowed some of Jo’s candy, and held it in the palm of his hand. “Peace offering!”

Allie narrowed her eyes, but stared at the candy, her curiosity piqued. “What is that?”

Cash looked over Allie’s shoulder and into Jo’s eyes. “Salted Honey Caramel. Your sister came up with the recipe.”

Jo’s eyes widened. “You made my recipe?”

He nodded, then let his gaze dart back to Allie. “It was supposed to be a surprise.” He cleared his throat, holding the candy out to Allie. “Surprise.”

Moving slow, like she was approaching a rabid animal, Allie took the candy. She sniffed it, unwrapped it, then popped it in her mouth. Two second later, her eyes rolled back in her head and she moaned. “Holy Toledo. These are amazing!” She turned on Jo and spoke over a mouthful of chewy candy. “Why didn’t you ever tell me about these?”

Jo glanced down. “I didn’t want you to think I was trying to push into your territory.”

Allie frowned. “Jo, you and I have a lot to talk about.”

“Yeah,” Jo said. “I think we do.”

“What is going on here?” Cynthia shrieked.

Cash turned on the Warners. He’d almost forgotten about them; Allie was such a force to be reckoned with. “I know about the contract.”

Ryan put on an indifferent air. “Do we look like we care? We knew you’d find out, eventually. All we needed was a signature, and we got it.”

Jo stepped forward. “What do you mean?”

“What’s going on?” Allie asked.

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