“I’d love it,” he said.

Harper couldn’t remember the last time that she’d had so much fun. Zed was a good artist, but so was Wyatt, and the giggles during the battles echoed off the walls. For a while she forgot about the past and concentrated on beating Brook and Zed in Pictionary. She glanced at the clock and was amazed to see that it was almost eleven when they heard Dana and Payton on the front porch.

“They’re back!” Brook ran across the room and had her hand on the light switch when Tawny covered it with hers.

“You don’t want to do that unless you want your mama to flash the lights when you come home from your first date,” Tawny whispered.

“She wouldn’t,” Brook gasped.

“Turnabout is fair play,” Zed cautioned.

Wyatt came in right behind him. “Do unto others.”

Brook dropped her hand to her side. “Sounds like Sunday-mornin’ sermons to me.”

“Don’t have to be in a church building to get a message from God,” Zed chuckled.

Dana came into the house alone, but Harper noticed that her cheeks were flushed and be damned if her lips weren’t more than a little bit bee-stung, giving testimony to the fact that the date had gone very well. She kicked off her sandals and sat down on the sofa beside Brook.

“Before you ask, I enjoyed the evening. I like Payton. We laughed and talked and after dinner, we went by his fish place. It’s massive. Never seen so many minnows. And we are definitely going out again.” She pulled her knees up and wrapped her skirt tail around her legs.

“Did he kiss you?” Brook asked.

“Yes, he did, and I liked it,” Dana answered.

“Well, crap!” Brook groaned.

“And I met his daughter at the restaurant. She came in with friends and didn’t know that we were there. From the way she acted, I’d say that she didn’t like me any better than you like him,” Dana said.

Brook sat up straight, and her jawline went rigid. “She’s an idiot. Everyone loves you, but maybe that’s a sign that you shouldn’t get involved.”

“We’re having a bonfire and s’mores party on Friday night right here, so you can all spend time around him.”

Harper caught the sly wink that Zed sent across the room. “I’ve got all Annie’s guns under lock and key.”

Dana giggled. “Brook, you’ll be good, won’t you? Because if you aren’t, I will get even on your first date.”

“Which is when?” Brook asked.

“When you are forty, but only if you take your mama with you. Fifty if you want to date alone,” Zed teased.

“Thank you, Uncle Zed. I think that’s a fine idea,” Dana said.

“Double crap! I’m going to bed to think about all this stuff before I fight with any of y’all about it.” Brook stormed down the hallway, but then turned around and came back to the living room. She crossed the room and hugged Zed. “Thanks, Uncle Zed, for helping me whip Wyatt three times.”

She’d started down the hall again then stopped, turned, and sighed. “And thank you, Aunt Tawny and Aunt Harper, for babysitting me. And for helping keep my mind off my mama kissing that ponytail guy. Good night.”

“Well, that settles it,” Wyatt chuckled. “I’m not growing a ponytail.”

Zed laughed with him. “Me neither. I’m too old to be a hippie. But it was a good evenin’, Dana?”

“Yes, it was.” She nodded.

“It’s goin’ to be a short night.” Tawny yawned. “It was fun. Anytime you want to go out with your hippie, I’m glad to ‘babysit’”—she made air quotes—“my niece. Good night, everyone.” She picked up a couple of dirty glasses and carried them to the kitchen on her way out the back door.

“Us too.” Wyatt offered his hand to Harper and pulled her up from the floor. “You are a good opponent, Zed. With your poker face, I wouldn’t want to gamble with you.”

Zed narrowed his eyes. “Smart man. I’d own your boat if we ever got serious about a poker game.”

“Good night, and I’m glad that you had a good time, Dana. Brook will come around. Just give her some time,” Harper said as she and Wyatt left the house by way of the front door.

“Uncle Zed, can you stay just a little while longer? I did something stupid tonight and . . . you know what they say about two people keeping a secret?” Dana winced to hear those words coming from her mouth.

“It’s easy if one of them is dead.” Zed nodded.

“Well, one of us isn’t dead but . . . dammit, this isn’t easy.”

“Then don’t say it. When the time is right, it won’t have to be hard.”

“I never was married. I made up that story so you and Granny Annie wouldn’t be disappointed in me. And when we broke up, I let everyone think I was getting a divorce instead. The rest of it is pretty true. I fell in love with him, got pregnant, and then found out he was cheating on me and ended it.” She talked fast, as if she was afraid if she ever stopped, she wouldn’t finish.

“Darlin’ child, I’m so sorry you’ve been carryin’ this load all by yourself. You should have told us. We would have understood. Does he take care of Brook?” he asked.