Page 38 of Mountain Freedom
“Well, my my!” Fiona peered at her. “I heard we had a certainDoctorAllison Bell back in town, but I can’t hardly believe my eyes! You’ve grown up into a real pretty young lady, and successful too!” Fiona grabbed her into a strong hug. “I’m real proud of ya and so happy you’re back.”
“Thank you,” Allison said when Fiona released her. “It’s really good to see you too.” Happiness shone in her eyes, making me even more glad Greg had invited her.
“Come meet everyone,” Fiona said, waving her in. She turned to whisper to me. “I took care of the punch. Don’t tell Janet.”
“Your secret’s safe,” I promised, putting my hand over my heart.
Fiona winked at me and turned around, leading the way.
“What does she mean?” Allison whispered.
“She probably means she spiked it,” I answered under my breath. “She’s always adding whiskey to everything.”
Allison’s eyes grew worried. “Does she have a drinking problem?”
“Nah,” I said, waving her off. “More like a Janet problem. They love each other, but they’re like oil and water. Fiona likes poking at her and loosening her up.”
“Gotcha,” Allison said, relieved. “That sounds like the Fiona I remember.”
“You two stop whispering back there,” Fiona complained. “Makes it too hard to listen in on what you’re saying. Daphne, this is Allison Bell! I’ve known her even longer than I’ve known you!”
“Any friend of Fiona’s is a friend of mine,” Daphne said, stepping forward to say hello. She gestured to the adorable baby on her hip, a tiny thing with solemn eyes and a headful of red hair, just like her mother. “This is little Eileen.”
“Eileen,” Allison said, recognition dawning on her face. “Wait. You must be Eileen Sullivan’s daughter. Except, Jackson said Janet is your mom. I’m sorry. I’m all mixed up.” Confusion and embarrassment clouded her features.
“Both are right,” Daphne said in the soft voice she always used when speaking of her late mother. “Eileen was my mom, but my father remarried after she died. Janet raised me.”
“Oh, I see,” Allison said. “You look so much like her.”
“You knew her?” Daphne’s face lit up.
Allison nodded. “Not well, but I do remember her. She volunteered at the library. She was always very sweet.” Her voice was soft, like Daphne’s.
Daphne’s eyes grew misty, and she pulled Allison into a hug. “I don’t have any memories of her, so I always enjoy hearing other people’s. We’ll have to talk sometime.”
“I’d like that.”
“Come on. Mom and Willa are in the kitchen,” Daphne said, dragging Allison away from me. But Daphne turned around and gave me a knowing smile and a nod of approval as she did.
I felt my face go red. I’d have to correct a lot of assumptions, it seemed.
“Hey, man,” Cole said, coming over to shake my hand. “Good to see you.”
“You too.”
“This is the first time you’ve brought a girl to a family dinner.” He gave me one of his serious looks. Of course, Cole was almost always serious. Willa was the only one who ever seemed to make him laugh.
“She’s just a friend,” I repeated, knowing it was a phrase I was going to have to repeat a hundred times.
“Sure she is,” he said, crossing his arms.
Emerson meandered over to join us. “Leave him alone, Cole,” he said, punching him lightly on the shoulder.
“Aw, come on,” Cole complained. “You didn’t leave me alone when I was denying my feelings for Willa, now did you?”
Emerson grinned. “That was different.”
“How?” Cole demanded.
