Page 37 of The Lost Book of First Loves

“Hey, Beck! I didn’t know you were coming to dinner.” Alison smiled broadly.

“It was kind of a last-minute thing. I was about to make a sandwich when Loretta texted to invite me a half hour ago.”

“I always make too much when I grill salmon.” An older woman joined them. “We have plenty. You know what I always say. The more, the merrier.”

When she smiled, Alison’s grandmother’s entire face seemed to light up from the inside. “Hello, my dear. I’m Loretta Wells. I hope you’re enjoying your stay here at The Painted Sky.”

“I am, thank you. I’m grateful for your kindness in letting me stay.”

“Of course. Of course. It’s no trouble at all.”

There was something familiar about this woman, but June couldn’t put her finger on exactly what that might be.

“Is everything all right for you down at the cabin? Jo and I tried to fill the pantry and the refrigerator with anything you might need, but please let us know if there’s something else we can get you.”

“You’re very kind. Thank you.”

“I tried to persuade Alison you would be more comfortable here at the house, but she insisted you would enjoy the cabin more. I hope you know that if you ever get lonely down there and need company, you’re more than welcome to move up here. We have plenty of room.”

“Thank you. I appreciate that.”

Loretta made a dismissive gesture. “Nonsense. Any friend of Alison’s is a friend of mine.”

Were she and Alison friends? June shifted her gaze to the other woman, who was chatting with Beckett about one of the ranch horses. Somehow, theyhadbecome friends over the past few weeks and not only because the other woman had saved her life.

She liked her. When not worrying about her job performance, Ali was funny and warm and smart. She had also been incredibly supportive to June after her cardiac arrest.

“This is almost ready. I only have to take the salmon off the grill.”

“I appreciate you going to so much work.”

“Jo did most of it. All I had to do was throw together a salad and toss the salmon on the grill. Why don’t we eat out on the deck? It would be a shame to waste such a lovely evening.”

“Great idea,” Ali said. “How can we help, Grandma?”

“You can move everything outside for me.”

Together, they grabbed plates, glasses, cutlery and several bowls of food and carried it all out to a covered deck that overlooked a small lake—more like a pond—edged with a thick stand of pines and the grand mountains soaring to meet the setting sun.

“Oh,” June exclaimed. “How beautiful.”

“The house was built on this exact spot to take advantage of the view,” Ali explained. “Dad loved to sit out here in the evening and read a book.”

When they had carried all the dishes out to the cedar-plank table, Loretta flipped a switch that illuminated sconces along the walls and the pillars holding up the roof over the deck. She also switched on a gas fireplace, more for the mood than for heat, as the evening was mild.

June wasn’t sure if it was the setting or the company, but the meal was delicious. The salmon was flavorful and the salad tasted fresh and delicious.

Since her cardiac event, the flavor of everything she tasted seemed enhanced.

She enjoyed listening to the easy camaraderie among Beckett, Alison and Loretta. The man seemed more like family than merely a neighbor.

“We are monopolizing the conversation,” Loretta said after they had nearly finished with dinner. “How rude we are, talking about people our guest doesn’t know. I’m sorry about that, Juniper. Why don’t you tell us about yourself. Where are you from? Do you have a big family?”

June thought she saw Ali and Beck exchange an odd look, one she couldn’t quite interpret. “I’m afraid not. I don’t have any family.”

“None at all?” Loretta’s eyes widened with shock and something else that looked like pity.

“None at all,” she confirmed. “My father died when I wasonly a few months old. My mom raised me by herself. It was always just the two of us.”

---