Hold Me

Starr turned away. “Never mind. I don’t want to learn anything from you.”

Destiny flinched as if she’d been hit. She’d screwed up. “Please, Starr. Don’t punish me by punishing yourself. That never goes well. Let’s spend some time playing this weekend. I can show you a few things that—”

“I said no.” Starr turned back to her computer. “It’s late. I’m tired.”

In other words, get out of my room, Destiny thought.

“Okay.” She stood. “Good night.”

She walked out and closed the door.

She told herself she would do better next time. The subject wasn’t over. She would give Starr a couple of days then bring it up again. Teaching her a few chords wouldn’t be so bad. Maybe it would give them something to talk about. A way to get to know each other.

Because while Destiny might not know everything Grandma Nell would do, she was sure the older woman would make Starr feel welcome and loved. It was a lesson Destiny knew she had to learn.

* * *

ANGELO’S ITALIAN CUISINA was across from the park. The whitewashed building had a large patio with plenty of outdoor dining. Kipling tasted the red wine that had just been delivered to the table.

“Very nice,” he said.

Their server nodded and poured. When he’d left, Shelby leaned toward him.

“Do you ever send the wine back just because?” she asked with a grin.

“No. Not my style.”

“I know. I’m just messing with you. I’m sure in your life, you get enough attention in other ways.”

Not lately, he thought, thinking it had been a long time between women in his life. Between recovering from the crash and then moving to Fool’s Gold, he’d avoided romantic entanglements. But if all went according to plan, he was going to be tangled up very soon. Which wasn’t a subject he would be discussing with his baby sister.

“How’s work?” he asked. They were having dinner at five in the evening. A ridiculous time, but Shelby’s job at the bakery required an early start.

“Good. I’m learning a lot. Amber is trusting me with more and more responsibility. The tourist season is bringing in a lot of business. I had no idea how many people come back year after year. They remember what they ordered last time, and we sure had better have it now.”

He nodded to show he was listening. He admired Shelby’s enthusiasm. A year ago she’d been dealing with a mother dying of cancer and a father who thought nothing of putting his fist into his only daughter’s face.

“I suggested we have a food cart at the last festival. Amber wasn’t sure it would work, but we sold out of everything before noon. It was a huge moneymaker.”

“Congratulations on impressing the boss.”

“Thanks. I have a lot of ideas.” Shelby glanced down at the table then back up. “Amber and I have been talking.”