“In the Soda Shop,” Cal answered, his cheeks and ears turning bright red. “He said hi to Mom and me.”
Her father glanced her way. “Don’t go getting friendly with the Wallaces just to spite me.”
India put her napkin on her plate and stood. “Dad, believe it or not, I don’t take joy in getting your blood pressure elevated. I didn’t think exchanging hellos with the man would be a problem. We went to school together, we’re not strangers.” She left it at that. For now. “Cal, you ready for school?”
Cal shoved the last of his pancakes into his mouth and nodded, pushing his chair back.
“Are you working at the school today?” her mother asked.
“No. My test is coming up so I thought I’d head to the library to study. Unless you need me at the shop?” she asked.
“Not this morning.” She paused. “Could you come in after you pick up Cal? Just for a few hours? I need to get my hair touched up.”
With a nod at her mother, a quick hug for her sister and a stilted wave for her father, she and Cal headed out.
“Tanner?” Cal called, smiling as the large dog came barreling around the front porch and jumped into the backseat of the truck.
“Ready to go to town?” she asked, rubbing the dog behind both ears before climbing into the truck.
“Papa was sure in a mood this morning,” Cal said, slamming the truck door behind him.
“The name Wallace has always had that effect on him.” She started the truck, pulled onto the main road and headed into town.
They chatted the rest of the drive. Cal had to make a diorama for school, and he was determined to work a dinosaur into it—one way or another she knew he’d have the most impressive project in class. She pressed a kiss to his cheek as they pulled up in front of the school.
“Be good.” Not that Cal needed reminding. He was, always, good as gold.
He nodded. “You, too, Mom,” he called back to her. “Study hard.”
She watched him hurry inside, pulling forward only when the doors closed behind him. Tanner whimpered, so India patted him on the side. “He’ll be home soon.”
She navigated the quiet streets of Fort Kyle, bought a large coffee at the tiny diner that was open early and headed to the library. The streets were quiet, the sky shot through with a dozen shades of pink and blue, and the air was crisp and cool. She loved mornings like this—in Fort Kyle. The library wasn’t open yet, but Helen Jones, the librarian, would let her in so she had a nice, quiet place to study.
The amount of cars and trucks parked in front of the library was a surprise, but she didn’t let it slow her down. She pushed inside, Tanner at her side, and paused at the table set up right inside the doors. Among the group gathered, she recognized Miss Francis—and the woman waved her over.
“Well, I’ll be,” Miss Francis said. “Don’t tell me you’re here to volunteer for Brody’s race for mayor?”
India shook her head. “N-no. I came to study.”
“Good for you, India. A gal needs to be able to take care of herself these days.”
India nodded. “That’s the plan. And Cal, too.”
She hadn’t realized Brody had joined them until he said, “I admire an independent woman.” He was so tall she had to tilt her head back to see him.
“Morning,” she said.
“Morning. Coffee?” He stooped, inhaling. “Smells good.”
She held the coffee closer. “It is. And necessary for me to be remotely productive today.”
He chuckled. “Understood. Hands off the coffee.”
“So, is this headquarters now?” she asked.
He shook his head. “No, this is just a meet and greet.”
“His first public appearance.” Miss Francis tilted her head. “You’re missing something. A tie?”