chuckled. “Or that the shaker of parmesan cheese better be on the table before the spaghetti arrived. And the garlic bread—”
“Better be fresh.” Megs nodded and smiled. Her voice quavered. “She’s really missing out.”
Kelly tried to smile in return, but she felt at a distance from the conversation, like usual. With Grammy and Megs, she’d felt as if she was intruding on their cozy group of two. They were more alike than Kelly was and her grandmother, and she’d felt like an outsider watching a family, rather than being a part of it. And now Sam and Megs had a routine they followed, and she felt as if she had intruded on that, as well. She played with the wrapper from her straw, and wished Grammy could be here, too.
Sam cleared his throat and glanced her way. “I wish you could have been a part of it. We had some good times.”
Right. Times she hadn’t been a part of. Could never be now. Instead, she’d chosen to pursue a dream.
She’d left for Nashville the morning after her twenty-first birthday with a kiss from Grammy, five hundred bucks in her pocket and a promise that she’d make it big. But after years of rejection, she’d wanted to give up. So many times, she’d been close to packing her bags and heading home. But a call from Grammy would convince her to stay. Her grandmother believed in her, in her talent. And she hadn’t wanted Kelly to give up on it. She shrugged. “I have my own memories of Grammy.”
She sat back as the waitress set down their salads and the parmesan cheese. Megs picked up the cheese and stared at it. Her sister looked across the table at Sam and they shared a smile, then she bowed her head and cried. Kelly put her arm around her sister and rubbed her shoulder. Maybe coming here hadn’t been a great idea.
Megs leaned into Kelly and took several breaths. “Thank you for coming out with us. I don’t think I can get through these next few days without you.”
Again, Kelly was struck with how little her sister could see her own strength. “It’s me who can’t get through this alone. I’m sorry I didn’t come home sooner.”
“Grammy would have packed your bags and sent you back to Nashville if you’d tried.” Megs sat up straighter and wiped her eyes with her paper napkin. “She really believed in you. She was determined that you make it as a singer.”
“I was just as determined.” Kelly glanced over at Sam as she picked up her fork. “And I guess I should thank you for insisting that I come tonight.”
Sam didn’t say anything as he speared a piece of tomato. Instead, he chewed and gave her a wink.
She attributed the flip in her belly to the food, rather than the man sitting across from her.
* * *
SAM STOOD AT the diner’s cash register and paid for their meals, then turned and watched the sisters as they gathered their jackets and purses. He thanked their waitress and gave her a tip, then walked to the front of the diner and waited. Megs reached him first, but Kelly lingered behind. Glancing around the diner, seeing something in her mind that he could tell was related to Addy. The sadness in her eyes threatened to spill over on to her cheeks, so he approached her and put his arm around her shoulder. “It’s okay, kid.”
She looked up at him and sniffed, but nodded. On Main Street she glanced over at the department store. “What time does Roxy’s close? I need a couple of things.”
Why did any emotion bring out the shopping urge in some women? He gave a nod. “We have about a half hour.”
Megs wrinkled her nose. “You two go ahead. I’ll wait in the truck.”
Sam used the key fob to unlock the door. He watched as Megs walked to the truck, but followed Kelly into the store. Bright lights and the scent of heavy perfume assaulted him. Kelly headed off to the right, and he trailed behind her as she approached the women’s section. She frowned. “It’s years since I’ve been in here. I have no idea where anything is anymore.”
Not that he frequented Roxy’s that often, but he knew the basic layout. “What are you looking for?”
“Grammy always said a lady wears panty hose with a dress, and I don’t have any.”
“Ah.” He had no clue where they were kept since he didn’t shop in that section. “We could ask someone.”
Kelly shook her head and moved on. He stayed behind her, noting how she kept her head up and her back straight. Addy had trained her well as she appeared confident and strong. Only he’d guess the inner mayhem she felt.
She found the right section, and he stood in the aisle as she flipped through her different choices. She peered up at him once. “I’m sorry that I almost attacked you with a toaster this morning.”
“I think I would have been able to defend myself.”
She looked him over slowly, and for a moment he hoped that she approved. “I’m sure you would have.” She returned her gaze to the panty hose and pulled one out a package, turning it over to scan the back. “Got it.” She pulled out a second to go with the first, then brushed past him toward the cash registers.
Again, he followed her, noting how petite and fit she was. He could probably lift her without a struggle. Not that he had plans to do so, but still he wondered. What would she feel like in his arms?
The cashier rang up Kelly’s purchase as she pawed through her purse. When the cashier told her the total, Kelly sighed. “Never mind. I left my wallet on my dresser back at Grammy’s.”
Sam pulled out the wallet from his back pocket. “I got this.”
“I can’t ask you to do that. You already paid for dinner.”
He handed the cashier a twenty-dollar bill. “It’s no big deal. You can pay me back at the house.”
“That’s not the point. I don’t need you to save me.”
He put the change in his wallet then handed the plastic bag with the panty hose inside to Kelly. “Just say thank you, and we can go.”
She thrust the bag back at him. “I pay my own way.”
“Don’t make a big deal out of this. You’ll pay me back.” Didn’t she have anyone in her life down in Nashville who looked out for her? By her reaction, he doubted it. And that was a shame because Kelly looked like a woman he wanted to help and protect. The fact that he wanted to volunteer for the position made him pause. Something to think about later. To lighten the mood, he leaned down and nudged her shoulder with his. “Besides, I know where you live, remember.”
She snatched the bag from his hand, but stood still, staring at him. He considered that he might have to pick her up after all and carry her out to the truck if she didn’t start moving soon. She swallowed several times, and then gave a nod. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
She turned on her heel and started walking quickly to the front of the store. He had to lengthen his stride to keep up with her.
PEOPLE EVERYWHERE. NO matter
