settling down. Who would have thought? Wasn’t too long ago, it seemed like none of us knew how.
“This is amazing,” Callie said, taking a bite of the baked mac and cheese. She shifted her position and groaned a little. “I also need to join one of Jonah’s workout classes or I’m going to gain a million pounds. Everything around here involves food.”
“She’s not wrong,” George said. He had a plate piled high and a half-eaten piece of cornbread in his hand.
Bowie gave George’s stack of food the side-eye.
“What?” George asked, his mouth full of cornbread. “It’s my cheat day.”
June looked up from her book. “There is data that suggests temporary increases in caloric intake can be beneficial.”
“See?” George grinned at June. “Thanks, June Bug.”
“I love fall,” Scarlett said, taking a deep breath. “It always feels like a fresh start. Seems especially appropriate now, doesn’t it?”
“It does,” Callie said. “The air gets cooler, the leaves change. The world gets ready to go to sleep for a little while. Feels like a time of renewal.”
“Mom always liked fall,” I said.
Scarlett smiled at me. “She sure did.”
“What’s going on over there?” Callie asked.
On the outskirts of the park, Misty Lynn’s two bleached-out clones stood next to her car, both sobbing hysterically. Misty Lynn hugged one, then the other, making a dramatic show of wiping the mascara that ran down her cheeks. She’d caked thick makeup over the black and blue bruising Callie had given her. The makeup made it look worse, like she’d contracted a disease that made her skin flake off.
“Oh, Misty Lynn’s making noise about moving out of Bootleg,” Scarlett said. “Said she’s gonna follow her mama and become an actress. Jimmy Bob tried to talk sense into her. Even Jenny had a go. I’m sure you can guess how that went.”
“Good riddance,” I said. “This place’ll be a hell of a lot nicer without her around.”
“I couldn’t agree with you more,” Scarlett said. “But I doubt she’ll stay gone. She’ll realize her mama’s a waitress, not an actress, and following that hot mess of a woman ain’t gonna get her anywhere.”
Cassidy shook her head. “She’s just trying to save face after Callie delivered some Bootleg Justice.”
“Not nearly enough, if you ask me,” Scarlett said.
I grunted my agreement.
“I don’t know.” Callie tilted her head, watching Misty Lynn attempting—and failing, since no one was paying much attention to her—to make a scene. “Even if she moves away, she’ll be back sometimes to see her dad. I think her having to see Gibson live a happy life with another woman is the best Bootleg Justice of all.”
Scarlett grinned. “Does this mean you’re staying?”
Slipping my arm around her, I pulled her closer. “Damn straight she’s staying.”
She smiled at me, laughing softly. “Of course I’m staying. I’m home.”
Scarlett sniffed loudly and suddenly burst into tears. I flinched backward, wincing. What in the hell was she doing?
“Oh, Scar, what’s wrong?” Cassidy asked.
“I’m just so happy for my brother,” she said through her sobs. “For all of us. Look at us, Cass. You’re married to Bowie and Jameson’s wedding isn’t far off. I still can’t marry Devlin till I’m thirty, but after that, he best be putting a ring on my finger. And my newest older brother is with an awesome girl, and someday they’ll be raising babies right here in Bootleg. Only they won’t fight all the time and Jonah won’t be drunk. And now Gibson is with Callie and I swear to god, Cass, it’s just too much.”
Cassidy wrapped her arms around Scarlett and patted her back. “There, there, Scarlett Rose.” She glanced at Callie. “Scarlett can hold her liquor like none other, but sometimes her feelings get a bit too big for her little body to contain.”
Bowie laughed and stood. “I’ll go get Devlin in case you need backup.”
She beamed at him. “Thanks, my sexy husband.”
“You’re quite welcome, my beautiful wife.”
“Y’all are so cute,” Scarlett wailed.
I shook my head at my sister, but I kinda knew how she felt.
Cash was tuckered out from half the town playing with him. He scooted over and put his head in Callie’s lap. Little guy looked like he was in dog heaven. Not that I blamed him. If my head had been in Callie’s lap, with her fingers running through my hair, I’d have looked that happy too.
I leaned over and whispered a few kisses across her cheek. “Hey, honey.”
She turned and met my lips with hers. “Hey.”
“Do you mind waiting here for a bit? There’s something I