Page 33 of Moonshine and Magnolias
Jordan clamped down on her wrist. “Don’t you dare make a note to change it. It’s classic. Vintage. I love it.”
When Wendy didn’t put her phone down immediately, Jordan cocked her head. “I mean it.”
“I was going to make a note to buy ingredients for blintzes for breakfast, but whatever.” Wendy shoved her phone back into her pocket.
“Not if you’re cooking,” Brandi said.
“Where’s Sebastien staying?” Jordan asked.
“In one of the upstairs rooms,” Wendy said. “I haven’t seen him since breakfast. He’s probably either napping or sketching somewhere.”
“Perfect. No way do I want his ugly mug to be the first thing I see in the morning.”
Wendy laughed, enjoying the freeing feeling. Dr. Rob Upshaw had given her some maybe-not-unwanted excitement in the past week, but her friends brought her a sense of peace and relaxation she hadn’t experienced since Grandma had become ill.
The man in question came into view on the grand staircase, his attention on his tablet as he paced to the lobby. He paused at the bottom, and Wendy realized she had been staring at his descent the entire time.
As had Jordan and Brandi. Fiddlesticks.
He blinked under the scrutiny of Wendy and her friends. “Hi.”
“Good morning,” Wendy said. She had always been a brilliant conversationalist. Beside her, Brandi and Jordan each murmured their own greetings.
Part of her wanted to ask what he was doing, where he was going. To see if she could join him, even if only for a few minutes. Instead, she said something inane about the weather as he left the Hall.
“Well.” Jordan arched a brow and speared Wendy with a look. “That was informative. Who is he? Your special friend?”
Wendy ignored Brandi’s snort of laughter and hoisted a bag on her shoulder. “No.”
“I seeee.” Jordan dragged out the last syllable. “Still being too picky on who you take to bed? When was the last time you got laid?”
“It’s not like that.” Wendy pulled her hair caught under the suitcase strap. “He’s a nice, intelligent man and I’ve enjoyed talking to him. He’s a historical researcher tracing a client’s ancestor. And he’s helping with the tour.”
“Sure,” Brandi teased. “Because every man wants to be followed around by a bunch of bored kids just for the hell of it. But it’s not like that.”
Part of her wanted to insist that if Rob was doing this to earn favor, it would have been for her cousin’s. But the other part remembered the air vibrating between them in the orchard and the electric feeling his presence gave her. It couldn’t be one sided.
So instead she stuck out her tongue at Brandi. “I’m going to get the keys to the stables.”
The office didn’t seem so looming and forbidding anymore. Besides, Grandma would probably be in there. Wendy was sure she’d want to come out and say hi to Jordan.
Hollow grief bore a sudden hole in her heart, and the bag slipped from her fingers. Wendy covered her eyes, blinded by the tears that seemed to come from nowhere. Grandma was dead. She’d never come out to say hi Jordan, never give Wendy another loving embrace, never be the bright spot in any dark time of her life.
The thud of Jordan’s feet rushed against the wooden floor. “Wendy, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it like that.”
“That’s not it.” She waved a hand and gulped some air, trying to wipe her eyes without Jordan or Brandi seeing, but they enveloped her in a hug and there was no escape. She held on, comforted by the years of understanding and friendship between them. Her body quaked with gut-wrenching sobs she couldn’t expel.
“About damn time,” Brandi murmured.
Why was it hitting her like this? Grandma had been sick, had been gone for almost four weeks now. Wendy had cried at the funeral, but they were controlled tears, sliding down her cheeks only when she said they could. Not these shudders she couldn’t contain. Didn’t want to contain.
Another set of arms wrapped themselves around the three women, and Wendy saw a glint of red hair. She peeled an arm off Jordan and put it around Sebastien, burying her face in the scratchy fabric of his decidedly non-designer t-shirt as his arm lay heavy and comforting over her shoulders.
They stood like that in silence until Wendy was able to take a breath without her ribs shaking. She stepped away but Sebastien tightened his grip.
“Don’t go. My college dreams are finally coming true. A ginger buffet with the Georgia softball team.”
“You’re such a jerk.” Wendy gave a little snort and whapped him on thestomach. Her cousin gave her an extra hard squeeze, then let her go. “Sorry, guys. I didn’t realize how much having you both here would mean to me.”
