Cordy glanced nervously around the crowd at Third Thursday. Stories about her and Chance were already running through town, thanks to Jaycee, but she didn’t want to add to the gossip. She and Chance might be living together, and they might be sleeping together, but they weren’ttogethertogether. They were…
Well, she didn’t know. Chance was her partner in practically every way that counted, but Cordy knew their situation wouldn’t last. It couldn’t, not with them as commitment-shy as they were.
And if thinking about the inevitable end made her feel sad, that was her problem. Cordy knew better than to pin her hopes on someone else.
“Cordy?” Chance tugged her around to face him, worry in his eyes. “You okay?”
“Yep.” She made herself smile. Everything would be fine. “I’m ready to have fun. And get a funnel cake. You promised me.”
He watched her as if he didn’t quite believe her. Then he started walking again. “You’ll get your funnel cake, don’t worry.”
Third Thursday was as busy as the last time Cordy had attended, with the town square packed with people, booths, and noise. Everyone was smiling as they wandered through the crowd. The band played a pop-punk ballad, and a few small kids were bopping along as they clung to their parents’ hands.
“I didn’t know they knew this song,” she told Chance. “When they play in the bar, it’s usually country songs.”
“Because that’s what Glenn likes. The Warblers can play anything. They’re famous for it. I once heard them do two full hours of Depression-era hobo songs.”
“Wow.” Cordy hadn’t even known there were hobo songs, much less two hours’ worth. “They must be talented.”
“These are actually The Warblers: The Next Generation,” Chance explained. “Jack started the band some forty years ago with some friends. And then his son, Hollis, joined with his friends about ten years ago. Hollis is a big Star Trek fan, so they changed to that name.”
“That’s cute.” Cordy tapped her toe to the song. “They should play this in the bar.”
A little girl hanging on to her mother’s hand was staring at Cordy, her eyes wide. Kids seemed especially fascinated by Cordy’s pregnant belly, often looking even when their parents warned them to stop.
Cordy smiled and gave the girl a small wave. The way the girl hung onto her mother’s hand made Cordy wistful. It was like the girl’s whole world was anchored there.
Cordy hoped her baby would hold onto her hand the same way.
When Cordy waved, the little girl’s eyes got even bigger. She buried her face into her mother’s leg, one brown eye peeking at Cordy.
It was so cute that Cordy had to stifle her laughter. The little girl wanted to stare but didn’t want Cordy to notice.
The girl’s mother caught Cordy’s eye. She gave a sympathetic smile that said,Kids, am I right?
That smile drew Cordy in, made her heart swell. With just a look, that mom told Cordy she belonged. She was part of the sisterhood.
The mom bent over her daughter, asking a question. The girl looked to Cordy, then back to her mom. Her mom nodded encouragingly.
The girl raised a hand and waved shyly back at Cordy.
Cordy grinned and waved so hard it felt like her hand might fall off. She’d made a friend. Two friends, actually.
Chance glanced over, wondering what she was doing. “Oh, there’s Helena.” He waved, too.
Helena’s eyes went wide when she saw who was with Cordy. Cordy could almost see the stories the other woman was now spinning in her head.
“She knows you, doesn’t she?” Cordy asked neutrally.
“She’s shocked to see us together because… well, you know why.” Chance gave her a sheepish look that made her heart melt despite her misgivings.
Chance had never lied to her about what kind of man he was. If anything, he was too hard on himself.
So Cordy lifted her chin, looked Helena dead in the eyes, tucked her hand more firmly into Chance’s arm, and smiled brilliantly. As if they were old friends and Cordy was so happy to see her again.
Helena blinked, her mouth open. She looked from Cordy to Chance, her gaze running over him. Slowly, she raised one eyebrow.
When Helena turned back to Cordy, her expression was very different.You go, girl! I bet he’s a fun handful.
