Page 30 of Home Town

She watched as he mounted the mower, fired up the engine, touched one finger to his forehead in a goodbye salute to her and then drove away. Like a hero in a western riding his horse into the sunset.

It took her a few seconds to reorientate herself.

Finally, she broke free of the Kirk stupor—which was a nice palate cleanser from her Corey obsession—and turned toward where she’d parked her car.

It had already been one hell of a day and it wasn’t over yet.

Chapter Fifteen

“Corey?”

He recognized that tone. A request for a favor was about to follow. Most likely something he wasn’t going to be happy about, because the bigger the favor, the sweeter his mother asked.

Not that she had to be extra sweet. The guilt weighing on him—for not being home when his father had died, for not being home a whole hell of a lot since—meant he’d say yes to anything she wanted.

“Yes, Mom?” he answered just as sweetly, coming around the corner and stepping into the kitchen.

Momentarily the sight of his mother icing cupcakes drove what he might be signing up to do completely out of his head.

“Mmm. Yum.” He stepped closer and received a slap on the wrist when he stuck his finger into the icing bowl.

“Nope! These are for?—”

“Historical Society meeting? Book club? Church bake sale? Anniversary Celebration Committee?” he suggested with a smile.

What he hadn’t asked was if Josie would be there.

He wasn’t sure what answer he wanted. That depended upon what mood she was in that day and how much hate she’d spew at him.

“The neighbor girl’s birthday,” his mother finished her sentence with a raised brow.

His eyes widened. “It’s Josie Baldwin’s birthday?”

She frowned and sent him a glance that proved he’d shown his hand. Revealed that Josie was on his mind much too much.

“No.” She shook her head. “We do have other neighbors, you know. And speaking of Josie, how is the project going? She didn’t say much about it yesterday. Just dropped off the keys and ran home to start work.”

“I don't really know.”

She’d kicked him out pretty fast yesterday since she apparently hated him for some reason. But one of those cupcakes would soothe his hurt feelings.

“So who are these for then?” he asked, inching closer to the counter until his mother shot him a warning glance.

“Missy. The little girl who lives on the other side of our house,” she said. “She’s turning thirteen. Her mom’s currently deployed and her poor father has his hands full planning the sleepover so I volunteered to bake something for the girls. Not that I wouldn’t bake for Josie’s birthday too, especially since her parents are away, but I probably wouldn’t be making Barbie cupcakes for her.”

“You are too good to everyone, Mom. But that’s really nice of you. I’m sure Missy’s mom would appreciate you stepping in while she can’t.” He gave his mother a one-armed hug, feeling guilty he too wasn’t doing something to help a fellow serviceman. And that he was trying to steal one of the poor girl’s cupcakes. “Did you need me to bring them over?”

“Not yet. I’ve got lots more decorating to do. But could you run the keys over to the library for Josie?” She tipped her head toward the key hooks next to the cabinets in the kitchen.

Maybe it wasn’t his fault Josie was on his mind so much. His mother and her favors were a big part of the reason. And those damn keys.

“Why did she return them if she just needed them again today?” he asked, scowling as he reached for them.

“She didn’t need them today because the library is open and the librarian could let her in. But Irene just called me to say she’s got a family emergency and has to close up. She’s fine leaving Josie upstairs after she’s gone but if that poor girl needs to leave to take a lunch break or get something cold to drink, she’ll want to lock up, but then she won’t be able to get back in.”

He stifled a groan. As much as he hated to be Josie’s deliveryman, his mother was right.

Of course, having Josie be beholden to him because he was doing yet another favor had its merits. She’d owe him. She’d have to tone down the snark and be nice.

---