Chirp(31)

Tiffany pressed the sticker onto the carton. “I’m familiar with Peabody’s in Dallas, but not Ballendorf’s in Houston.”

“It has everything from bath products to home interiors,” Blaze said.

Hanna jerked her head around. Blaze didn’t seem like a city girl or the type who shopped in an upscale boutique. But she averted her eyes as if she’d said too much, so Hanna wondered if she’d lived in the city. “You’ve been there?”

“A long time ago.”

Hanna glanced at Tiffany. “I’ve been thinking I’d find someone to represent my line at the home-and-gift show in Dallas next September. That would give me time to build inventory.”

“Holy crapoly. I have an idea. Why don’t we check into renting a space and do it ourselves? By then I should have my jewelry line going. That way we wouldn’t have to pay a middle man.” She pressed a hand to her chest and shrugged. “I’ve been told I have natural sales skills, so who better to promote our stuff than moi?”

Hanna stacked the parcels by the door. “Bad thing about that is we’ll have to come up with money, and I don’t know how much those spots cost.” True statement, but she knew how little cash she had, which meant unless they were free, she couldn’t afford one.

Tiffany pulled out her phone and tapped. “I’ve put it on my to-do list. I’ll check on that and get back to you.” She eyed Blaze. “You all set for your big date?”

“It’s a plus one.”

“Call it whatever you like, but you said he bought new clothes, so I’d say it’s a date. You gonna let him kiss you good-night?”

Hanna shot Miss Enthusiastic a glare. “Tiffany!”

“Hey. Just saying she needs to be prepared.”

“I’d like to kiss him,” Blaze said.

If Blaze kept making unexpected statements, Hanna was sure to get whiplash. This last revelation about caused her to crack a neck bone. “Are you kidding?”

“No.”

Tiffany put her cell away. “Has Rance-in-the-pants changed? A few weeks ago you called him a jerk.”

“He’s not drinking and smoking as much. He hasn’t gone out since the bad storm. I think he’s been too tired. And he let me keep Muttly.”

At the sound of his name, the puppy rose from his sleeping spot in the corner and trotted to Blaze. She lifted him into her arms.

To give her advice more emphasis, Hanna leaned forward and narrowed her eyes. “If you fall for him, you’ll get hurt. Those Keller boys aren’t really interested in lasting relationships.” That wasn’t exactly a fact. She didn’t know about Rance and Nick, but Seth was another story.

Blaze shook her head. “That’s not true. Seth is engaged.”

That stopped Hanna, and her stomach spiraled. “Well, I stand corrected.”

“Why did you say that?” Blaze asked.

Hanna should have kept her mouth closed, but Blaze was an impressionable girl with no experience with a player like Rance. As a friend, she was duty-bound to warn her. “While Malcom Keller was married to Rance’s mom, he had Seth and Nick by another woman, and she was stupid enough to think he’d never cheat on her, but he did.” Hanna removed her apron, hung it on a hook by the door, and spoke over her shoulder. “Sad thing about it—the boys knew about his infidelity. He always had a girlfriend on the side. I meant kids learn by example.”

“They’re coming for a visit,” Blaze said.

Hanna’s heart pounded. “When?”

“For the festival, if he can get the master suite finished in time.”

“His dad, too?”

“No. Just his brothers.”

“Yeah, that’s what I figured. Rance doesn’t speak to his father.” With the soap molds back in place, Hanna grabbed a rag and wiped the counter. “Let me know when they’re coming for sure, okay?”

Tiffany applied a coat of lipstick, then stuck the tube and compact back in her purse. “Me too. Man, the last time I saw those boys was at Dessie’s service. Seth is attractive, but Nick is hot. I wanted to flirt with him, but thought the situation was inappropriate. You know, it being her funeral and all.” She pulled her hair to the top of her head and wrapped a rubber band around it. “If I was alone with him, I’d need a whole lot of Jesus to keep my panties on.” She raked fingers through the strands of her ponytail. “Hey, I don’t blame you for wanting to lock lips with Rancelot. But Hanna’s probably right. Heartbreak starts with a kiss.”

After Blaze and Tiffany left, Hanna grabbed a broom and swept the floor with a vengeance. Rance coming to Bluebird had messed up everything. It was wrong for her to wish he’d stayed in prison, but her life would be easier if he had. Now she’d have to deal with Seth, and that created a problem. She’d never been good at lying, and if he suspected Noah was his, she wouldn’t be able to keep it from him. The thought of seeing him again unnerved her, and news of his engagement sent her over the edge.

A sharp pain shot up her arm and ricocheted straight to her heart. If Seth discovered her secret, he’d fight for custody. What if his wife-to-be was a total bitch?

Hanna dragged out a stool and sat. Alternating holidays and weekends was out of the question. She slowly rose, leaned the broom against the wall, and stepped outside into the early evening air to clear her brain. Whiffs of pine, wild privet, and her mother’s fried chicken assaulted her senses and caused another flash of torture. From the time Noah could sit in his high chair, he’d joined them at the family table. Would Seth’s new wife have family dinners? Could she even cook?