Kathy Douglass - The City Girl's Homecoming

Megan noticed that Cade seemed embarrassed at Bunny’s effusive praise and color crept beneath his light brown skin. Knowing she wasn’t the only one who was ill at ease made Megan feel slightly better. She held out her hand. “Nice to meet you, Cade.”

He wiped his hand on his shirt, then shook hers. His grip was firm, but not the too-tight handshake men often gave when trying to intimidate her. Of course, those men had been opposing counsel, who—if they were any good—would have known squeezing her fingers didn’t scare her. It pissed her off.

Cade’s palm was covered with calluses, no doubt a by-product of the hard work he did on a daily basis. “Nice to meet you, Ms. Jennings.”

His voice was even sexier when he wasn’t out of breath, and it sent shivers dancing down her spine. What was that about? She smiled. “It’s Megan.”

“Megan,” he repeated, although he didn’t return her smile.

“Well, good. Now you’ve each made a friend.” Bunny beamed with satisfaction and turned her attention to Cade. “I came out here to let you know lunch is on the table. And Megan, you’re more than welcome to join us. We have plenty.”

Cade shook his head and backed up. “I won’t be able to stay after all, Bunny.”

“No? Why not?”

The deliberate way he didn’t look in her direction gave Megan a sneaking suspicion. She wasn’t the paranoid type, nor was she so conceited that she thought she was the driving force behind everyone’s actions, but in this moment, based on his behavior, she believed she was the reason Cade didn’t want to stay.

“I need to get going. There’s a lot of work waiting for me. And getting Little Piggy settled may take longer than I had anticipated.”

“Okay,” Bunny looked crestfallen for a moment, but then she rallied. “At least let me give you a couple slices of cake.”

“You don’t have to do that,” he said, but Bunny had already made her way up the stairs and into the house.

Neither Cade nor Megan spoke for a moment. She’d seen Cade around town a couple of times, but they’d never actually interacted with each other. Every time she’d gotten near him, he’d frowned at her like he was doing now. She’d heard that everyone had a twin somewhere in the world, so she’d comforted herself with the thought that he’d mistaken her for someone else. Someone who’d done him wrong. But now that Bunny had introduced them, it had to be clear to him that they’d never met. Yet he was still being incredibly unfriendly to her. He had to be the grumpiest man in town.

The silence stretched out, and neither of them made a move to break it. They were engaged in a strange battle of wills that Megan was determined to win. She didn’t know why it mattered, but it was important that she let him know that she wasn’t going to fall at his feet. Even as gorgeous as he was, she wasn’t inclined to tolerate his unpleasant attitude.

“Here you go,” Bunny said, coming back down the stairs. She handed him a paper bag and winked at him. “I added a couple of pieces of chicken just in case you get hungry on the way home.”

“Thanks,” he said. He smiled at the older woman. “I appreciate it.”

Bunny stood on her tiptoes to give Cade a kiss on his cheek. He was so tall that he needed to lean over so she could reach him. Cade glanced at Megan, tipped his hat, then without a word got into his beat-up truck and drove away.

“Well now,” Bunny said, taking Megan’s arm. “I hope you’re hungry. We have a feast.”

Megan smiled, determinedly putting Cade Battle out of her mind. “I’m starved.”

“Good,” Bunny said as they climbed the stairs.

“Is there anything I can do to help?” Megan asked as they stepped into the kitchen. The aromas of fried chicken, fresh rolls, corn on the cob and pound cake greeted her as she stepped inside. The delicious smells reminded her of home. Or at least the home she’d had the first fourteen years of her life.

“No. I have it all under control,” Birdie said stepping into the kitchen and going immediately to the stove. “Just have a seat and make yourself at home.”

Megan pulled out a chair and sat down at the old oak table. Though the farmhouse was a hundred years old, the kitchen had clearly been renovated recently.

Megan first met the sisters a month ago when she’d been assigned their case by her boss, Daniel Sutton. Birdie and Bunny had grown up in this house and had lived here all of their lives. Neither sister had ever married. They were different as night and day, but fit together like puzzle pieces. If there was an area where one was weak, the other was strong enough to compensate for it. Bernadette, who was called Birdie by everyone, was tall and thin and in great shape. She was a no-nonsense type who didn’t tolerate fools, but underneath the gruff exterior, she was as generous and kind as could be. Gwendolyn, or Bunny, as she was affectionately called, was short and plump, with a heart of gold. She was a bit of a dreamer and a little too gullible and naive for Megan’s comfort—thank goodness she had Birdie around to protect her—but she was always positive and encouraging. Megan liked them both very much.

“Cade still outside?” Birdie asked.

“No. He left. He had something to get back to,” Bunny said.

Birdie only grunted. Megan hadn’t known Birdie long enough to know what that sound meant, but apparently Bunny did.

“Exactly,” Bunny replied. “I wrapped up some chicken and cake for him for the road.”

Working in tandem, the sisters filled three plates to overflowing. Once they joined her at the table, Megan spoke. “I have some information for you.”

“Not at lunch, dear. We never discuss business at meals. It’s not good for digestion,” Birdie said. “There’s plenty of time for that later.”

During her years of practice, Megan had had many business lunches and dinners. And she’d always discussed business between bites. Most times business had been wrapped up before dessert. But then, that had been in New York, where everything moved at a much faster pace and no second could be wasted. Some days there had been barely enough time to breathe, much less eat a leisurely meal. But she was in Spring Forest now, and clearly, they did things differently here.

Since discussing business was forbidden, Megan picked up her corn on the cob and took a bite. It was delicious. Before moving to North Carolina, she’d shopped at farmers markets twice a week. She’d been impressed by the fruits and vegetables she’d purchased there, which tasted so much better than anything she’d bought at the store. But as good as that produce had tasted, it didn’t compare to this. She’d never enjoyed such flavorful food before, and her taste buds smiled with pleasure.

“How are you adjusting to small-town life?” Birdie asked.

“It’s different from New York, but I enjoy it. I like the peace and quiet and the sense of community. I like the way everyone pulls together to help those in need.” Not that she hadn’t experienced a sense of support and community in New York. She’d had two good friends she could count on. And they would continue to be her friends whether she lived in the same building or in an entirely different state. But she’d needed a change. She’d had to get away from Tim, her former fiancé, and his family.

She and Tim had met on their first day of law school and quickly fallen in love. They’d gotten engaged after they’d both passed the bar. His parents and his sisters had welcomed her into their family. She’d spent holidays and vacations with them, and they’d always made a big deal of her birthday. She’d been so sure that after all those years of bouncing from place to place in foster care, she’d finally found a family again.