True-Blue Cowboy - Vicki Lewis Thompson Page 0,3
given Beth’s brown hair a shorter, sassier cut and it looked darned good, if she did say so. Fiona’s ash-blond, shoulder-length style was due for a cut, but she hadn’t found the time to come into the salon. Probably explained the ponytail.
Fiona clutched a bottle of white wine. “This is back in stock.” She came up the steps and held it out. “I remember we really liked it and then it disappeared.”
“It’ll go great with dinner.” Eva took the chilled bottle. “Is that why you drove instead of walking? You didn’t want the wine to get warm?”
“Or us,” Beth said. “Last time it felt almost like fall and the walk was nice. This week, not so much.”
“Four blocks isn’t popping-over distance like when I lived on the square. That’s the only downside.”
“It’s okay,” Beth said. “This house was calling your name.”
“It sure was.” Fiona laughed. “Even I heard it. Eeee-vaaa. Forget the moneeee. You neeed meee.”
Eva snorted. “Yep, I’m mortgaged up to my eyebrows, but I don’t care. The house is awesome. We’re eating in style in the dining room tonight, so be impressed. Be very impressed.”
“And I smell your famous spaghetti sauce.” Fiona started for the door. “Let’s open the wine before the chill wears off.”
“I’ll handle that,” Eva said. “You two go admire all the work I’ve done.” She followed them into the house and ducked into the kitchen while they continued into the living room and the adjacent dining room.
Their loud chorus of oooo and aaahhhh made her giggle. “Okay, that’s enough.” She pulled a platter of antipasto out of the fridge and carried it and the open wine bottle into the dining room. “Don’t overdo it.” She set down the platter and poured the wine.
“I didn’t have to fake it.” Beth turned to survey the living room. “Both rooms look gorgeous. Better than I expected after seeing it three weeks ago. I notice you found a spot for the painting.”
“Doesn’t it look great there?” The painting had been her Aunt Sally’s favorite, a laughing woman in a summer dress running through a field of wildflowers. She’d hung it over the antique loveseat.
“Perfect.” Fiona nodded enthusiastically, making her ponytail swing. “And by the way, Are the wine glasses on the dining table valuable antiques? I’m asking for a friend.” She grinned at Beth.
“That was a one-time situation. I was upset and got careless with my wine glass.” Beth glanced at Eva. “But just so I know, are those priceless?” She pointed to the mismatched wineglasses on the table. “Like, is there a one-of-a-kind Baccarat in the mix?”
“No. I’ve found a few things in the china cabinet that might qualify as priceless, but the glasses aren’t.”
“Sell the priceless stuff online,” Fiona said. “With the right ad copy, you might get—”
“Ack, blasphemy!” Eva waved her hands in the air. “I didn’t buy this place to bleed off its assets. Unless I positively hate something, it stays. I don’t care what it’s worth.”
Fiona’s eyes rounded. “How can you not care? You’re more cash-strapped than we are now that you’ve bought—”
“My old house back.” She glanced from Beth to Fiona. “I’ve never said that out loud. Does it sound crazy?”
Beth shook her head. “Not to me. Judging from the pictures you showed us, this house looks a lot like the one you grew up in.”
“Forget what I said.” Fiona came over and gave her a hug. “I was hung up on being practical.”
“Which this house isn’t.” Eva cast a loving gaze over the two rooms she’d finished. “I don’t care. It feels like home already.” She gestured to the table. “Let’s sit.”
“You should take the head of this grand old table.” Beth moved around to pull out the chair on her left. “Wow, the upholstery on the seat is in great shape. Comfy, too.”
“Which means it’s been reupholstered.” Eva claimed the spot Beth had assigned her.
“I love a dining chair with arms.” Fiona settled into the one on Eva’s right. “You can relax into it.”
“I guess that’s true. I was so busy cleaning I didn’t take the time to try out the chairs. They’re cushy.”
Beth glanced at her. “Is this the first meal you’ve eaten in here?”
“As a matter of fact. Eating alone at a table for eight feels weird. I’ve been using the one in the kitchen.”
“I’m honored we’re the first guests to enjoy this great setting.” Fiona picked up her wine glass. “To many more dinners in this lovely room.”
“I’ll drink to that.” Beth clinked glasses with Eva and