Dani went for the easiest answer. “Jake stopped by earlier.”
“He did?”
“Yeah.” Dani took a sip as Mae leaned against the counter right across from her. “Julia doesn’t want me out at the house. She doesn’t even want me to see Aunt Kathryn.”
Mae pushed back up from the counter with a sharp movement. “That—!” She heaved a deep sigh to calm herself. “Can’t say I’m surprised. She’s not going to like you being home.” She eyed Dani. “She’ll be worried you’re going to take Jake away.”
Dani felt there was a little more to that statement when Mae said it, and she put her mug back on the counter. “Is she the only one thinking that?”
Mae lifted up a shoulder. “People are talking. They’re wondering.”
“People are wondering about me?” Dani leaned forward, resting her elbows on the counter. “Or are you wondering?”
Small towns meant big mouths. Dani knew that. She’d always known that, but this gossip had been fast. Then again, she ran into Kelley Lynn. Maybe she should’ve expected it after being in town only for one day.
Mae grabbed the washcloth again and began cleaning the counter where Dani sat. “I did before. I don’t anymore. You’re not the same you from before.”
“What do you mean?” She reached for her coffee, but only sat there. Her hands grew cold, even holding that hot mug.
Mae shrugged again, finishing up her cleaning. She tossed the washcloth to the back kitchen. “You’re not the same girl who left these parts ten years ago. I can see it in you, and I’m guessing that you’ve seen some of what life has to offer. I’m betting it’s not the side that goes to operas and sings church hymns. It’s big news when the middle O’Hara comes back to town after vanishing ten years ago. It’s even bigger news when she left a slip of a girl and comes back a stunning young woman. Even if others can’t tell, I can. You’ve got a backbone now. And this is the same girl who holds the title First Love on Jake’s love life, but the question isn’t how is Julia going to handle you being back.” Mae watched her steadily. “It’s you, so what are you going to do Dani? Is Jake the real reason you came back home?”
The air grew thick with tension.
Dani cut some of that tension as she said, “I didn’t come back for Jake.” That only answered part of her aunt’s question, and the other part was a question she was starting to realize maybe others had as well.
Was she going to take him back?
Dani and Mae had a nightcap, and a conversation that was purposefully kept light-hearted, though Dani made sure to get some information on Jonah Bannon. She wanted to know whom she was dealing with, but after a second drink, she was able to sleep a few hours on Mae’s couch. And it wasn’t long after when she woke again, but this time it was from jet lag. No nightmares. Hearing Mae’s soft snoring from her bedroom, she didn’t want to wake her as she let herself out. Knowing she had no food at the cabin, other than what Mae always kept stocked there, she was in the grocery mart when she heard Jonah Bannon’s slow drawl again. “Milk, eggs, cheese, yogurt, and, let me guess, you can’t forget the chocolate. Every female I know has to have chocolate.” He was right behind her.
His hair was wet like he just showered. He was clean shaven, and those same dark eyes that had been laughing at her yesterday still held their distinct cocky twinkle. Wearing a black hooded sweatshirt that molded perfectly to his form, Jonah looked good in the early hours of the morning, but Dani wasn’t surprised.
She had a strong suspicion that Jonah always looked good.
“Please.” She opened the freezer for a bag of frozen vegetables. “Mae told me you used to be a big shot head hunter before you came back to town. That means you’re smart. I’m sure you could identify five food products every female has to have, but maybe stick to something that’s not so stereotypical. We need to have our chocolate for our periods, right?”
Jonah cut a grin. “I heard you were the nice, shy O’Hara. You’re not nice and shy now.”
“My nasty side tends to come out when I have a thorn in my side. You, Jonah Bannon, are becoming that thorn.”
She moved to another aisle, and he kept pace with her. “Okay, okay. I’m getting the message. The car’s not for sale, but what about a ride?”
She stopped and shot him a look.
He held up his hands. “I know what you said before. No rides. But man, that is a seriously sweet car. You don’t understand the agony of seeing it out and about, and not being able to give it a ride. Can you really blame a guy for trying?”
She grabbed a carton of milk, and started forward again.
Jonah got in front. “Put yourself in my shoes.”
She frowned at him. “Is this really about my car? Or is there something else going on?”
“Huh?” He lowered his hands.
She was being paranoid. “Nothing. Sorry. I started to think you were another one of my sister’s minions.”
His eyebrows shot up. “You’re funny, too. I’ve never met an O’Hara who was funny.” He shook his head. “No. I’m not here because of your sister.”
Their eyes caught and held, and an undercurrent passed between them. Dani couldn’t help but murmur, “Not that sister, anyway.”
Jonah sobered, resting his hands on the end of her cart. He said, quietly, “I wasn’t sure if you remembered.”