Page 71 of A Cup of Autumn
“He’s the one who named their dog, Precious. Reminds me of Gollum inLord of the Rings.” Anna shuddered. “The dog looks so sweet, but she has a mean streak as long as Silver Falls.”
No one knew Raine had spent the day with Keaton at the falls. She wanted to keep it quiet, if only to keep her friends from worrying about her.
Anna reached for an éclair. “I don’t know either one of them well. But Robin’s clothing and accessories make me green with envy.”
“Go to the New Life consignment store in Summit Ridge.” Raine debated between finishing her wine or eating one of Taryn’s éclairs. “Robin dropped off a bunch of her stuff there.”
Robin said Nick had lost their money investing in risky business ventures. He’d found a consulting job, but finances would be tight until their house sold. In the meantime, Robin hoped to sell enough items to cover renting an apartment for her and the kids.
Pippa wiped her mouth. “I know where I’m headed tomorrow. How about the rest of you?”
Callie beamed. “Brandt and I are having a picnic while we see the leaves change colors.”
Anna had an of-course-you-are look. “I’m working in the morning. Mary Jo needs the time off. I’d love to go to the shop, but I’m staying away from Summit Ridge after bumping into Davis the other night.”
“How was that?” Raine asked.
“Awkward.” Anna reached for an éclair. “His date wore an engagement ring. Guess he decided to stop dating more than one person at a time.”
Anna bit into the éclair.
“I’m so sorry,” Pippa said.
Everyone else added their condolences, but no one was upset that Davis was no longer in Anna’s life.
“She’s welcome to him.” Anna sighed. “It’s just too bad there aren’t many single men in the area. But I’ve got my patience cap on and deleted all my dating apps.”
“I do have another brother.” Callie got up to let Rex out.
“Grumpy, arrogant surgeon brother?” Anna made a face. “Hard pass, but thanks.”
Taryn laughed. “Don’t blame you for that. He’s intense like my husband. I put him to work in the yard to get rid of some of that.”
“What she’s not saying is they’re installing a dog run in the backyard,” Callie confided.
“That too.” Taryn gulped her wine.
“I’ve convinced them they need a dog.” Callie winked. “They’d rather do that than have the wedding reception all the parents want to throw them.”
“I married Garrett. That’s all I wanted.” Taryn sounded adamant. “I don’t need a reception.”
“A wedding cake would be nice,” Anna said. “I could put a slice under my pillow and dream about my future spouse.”
“I’ll make you a wedding cake,” Taryn replied. “No reception required. Everyone can take home a slice to eat or sleep on.”
“If there’s no wedding, does it count as a wedding cake?” Callie asked.
Taryn shook her head.
“How are things going with the professor?” Anna asked Raine.
“We’ve been working on the Boo Bash.” Keaton had handed out most of the flyers. “He has great ideas.”
Pippa smiled. “I don’t think Anna was asking about the Boo Bash.”
“I wasn’t,” Anna chimed in.
“We went hiking to Silver Falls earlier today, but that wasn’t a date or anything. We’re just working on the Boo Bash and hanging out.”
