“Apparently her mother had emergency surgery, and she had to go to Florida to take care of her,” Kacey said, folding her arms over her waist. “Since Drew is the music teacher at the middle school, Mrs.Hansen asked him to fill in this year.”
“Oh dear,” Mom said. “I hope Dana’s mother is okay.”
Dani nodded. “Me too.”
“I’m sure he’s a wonderful teacher.” Mom smiled. “I remember how talented he was. Couldn’t he play several instruments?”
“That’s right. He could figure out any song on the piano. Then he also learned how to play clarinet, trumpet, and French horn. He was like a one-man band.” Kacey pushed off the counter and picked up the basket of garlic bread. She couldn’t help but wonder if he was single, but she shook off her curiosity. After all, she was planning to go back to her life in Charlotte, and he had built a life here.
Dani touched Kacey’s arm, a smile lifting the corners of her mouth. “What did he say to you?”
“Not a whole lot.” Kacey gave a brief overview of her conversation with Drew, leaving out the part about Riley and Colleen’s behavior.
Mom’s smile was wide. “I think he’s still single.”
“Ooooh,” Dani sang. “That’s right. You two were always so close. I’m surprised you never dated.”
Me too.“That was a long time ago.”
“But you’re here now,” her sister continued.
Kacey waved her off and carried the bread to the dining room, where she placed it in the center of the long oak table. “It would never work out between us. His life is here, and mine is in Charlotte.”
“You don’t have to go back to Charlotte.” Mom set four bottles of salad dressing next to the salad. “You’re teleworking here now. Why not continue to do it?”
“Exactly.” Dani set the Parmesan cheese beside the bowl of meatballs and then took her usual spot across from Travis.
Kacey sank down on a chair beside Riley. “Because I love Charlotte.”
“What’s wrong with Splendid Lake?” Dani’s expression matched her challenge.
Travis looked back and forth between his wife and Kacey. “What are we talking about?”
“There’s nothing wrong with Splendid Lake,” Kacey said. “I love it here, and it will always be my home. But I’ve always dreamed of owning a place in a city.”
“Would someone please clue me in on what we’re discussing?” Travis asked.
“Hang on. I need to make a point,” Dani told Travis, and he blew out a puff of air. “But what if Drew is your future?”
“Drew who? Murphy?” Travis asked.
Mom wagged a finger. “Or your Christmas miracle.”
“Christmas miracle?” Kacey snorted. “Seriously, Mom? My love life is so pathetic that I need a miracle? Thanks so much.”
Riley yanked the sleeve of Kacey’s long-sleeved white blouse. “May I please have a piece of bread and some spaghetti and meatballs?”
“Bread, peeease!” Kelly announced from her booster seat beside Mom.
Kacey lifted Riley’s plate and added a small pile of spaghetti, a couple of meatballs and sauce, and a piece of garlic bread to it before handing it back to her. “Here you go.”
“Thank you.” Riley smiled up at her.
Across the table, Mom made a small plate for Kelly.
Dani added some salad to a bowl and then passed it Kacey. “Well, you’re going to be seeing Drew on Tuesdays and Thursdays after Riley’s choir practice.” Her expression was smug.
“So Drew is the choir director?” Travis began putting the pieces of the conversation together. “And he’s the same Drew that Kacey was friends with in school.”
