He breathes a sigh of relief. “Sangria.”
“Sal worked hard on it,” Luke says, his lips twitching. “Those oranges took her hours to cut up.”
Sal narrows her eyes at the two of them. When they get together, they’re the comedians of the century.
“Seth, the day you start bringing actual food to a potluck is the day you can start judging the shit I burn.” She evaluates the six-pack and the sangria, the makeshift bar already stockpiled. She gives Luke a glance. “Let’s hope the others bring food, or we’ll be having a liquid dinner.”
“How the good Lord intended it,” Seth says with a wicked smile. He peers at her, his blue eyes evaluating. “Luke says you’re workin’ too much.”
Luke scowls. “Smooth, Seth.”
Sal fixes a look on her husband. “Oh, he does, does he?”
Without a word, Luke grabs the trash and makes for the back door.
Seth crosses his arms, watching her closely. “He’s just worried about you. So am I.”
“Uh-huh.” Before Seth can get into it, she says, “You gonna get along with Griff today?”
“Nice subject change,” Seth says, giving her a look that tells her she isn’t getting out of it so easily. But he shrugs, his face taking on a scowl. “Sure, I’ll get along with Griff. What kind of name is that anyway? Sounds like something you name a dog.”
She smothers a smile. “It’s just a name, Seth.”
“Yeah, well, he’s hangin’ on Luke’s heels like he’s waiting for some kinda handout.”
Sal doesn’t know about that. She thinks Seth and Griff just don’t get along. Seth, for good reason, ditched Griff on tour when she was found. Griff was pissed and had some choice things to say about Luke after the Alabama fiasco, which pissed Seth off to no end. But now, all’s kosher between Luke and Griff, which means ...
Sal cocks her head, a sudden thought occurring to her. “Wait. Are you jealous?”
Seth glowers. He’s caught.
“You are.” She slings a dishrag over her shoulder and smiles. “Aw, Seth, that’s kinda cute.”
“What’s kinda cute?” The back door blows open, Luke striding inside.
“Sal and her jokes,” Seth says smoothly. With a quick step, he’s moving for the hallway, tossing Luke a look. “I’m headed out. You comin’?”
“Darlin’ ...”
Sal meets Luke’s hangdog stare. He wants to play with cars with his brother.
She chuckles. “Go. I’ll take care of the rest.” She lifts a brow at the now clean kitchen. “Not like there’s anything to take care of.”
Luke kisses her, then there’s the slam of the screen door.
The kitchen calm. For now.
She watches through the window, feeling an extra burst of contentedness, as Seth shows Luke his ATV. She should go for a run—she finally has some free time, no work, no touring—but her breasts ache and she feels extra exhausted. There’s not much to do before everyone arrives for the BBQ, so she settles in to enjoy the quiet and her coffee. She texts Lacey back Congratulations, turns up the radio, dumps chips into a bowl.
The mundane. It feels so damn good.
She treasures this life. These memories she’s made. She has over a year’s worth. Memories she remembers. They are hers and no one can take them from her.
As she sits at the kitchen table, she reminds herself Luke’s right. She wants a baby, but if it doesn’t happen, she has Luke. Friends and family who love and care about her.
Second chances.
Soon, two ticks down to three, and then the first truck is cruising down the winding driveway that leads to the old farmhouse.