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She knew how much it meant to Boone that his family and friends had put off the Friendsgiving celebration until he got home. It was thoughtful and generous. She loved that he had that in his family.

If things went the way she hoped, they both would.

Kenzie squealed. The next thing Tildi knew, she was in Kenzie’s arms. “Thank you. I’m so glad Boone found you. He’s like a different person. It’s a miracle, and it’s all because of you.”

Tildi wasn’t sure about that, but she hoped her new friend was right.

CHAPTER 9

As soon as Tildi and Kenzie got the Christmas gifts put to the side, Ruby had them busy preparing lunch. It was hot and hard and hurried. And Tildi had the time of her life. She loved every second.

Ruby never got angry or raised her voice when Tildi didn’t know how to do something. She just explained what to do with a smile, and usually a hug. Ruby was a hugger. It turned out Tildi was, too.

It was still hard not to be embarrassed by the things she didn’t know how to do. What good had it done her to graduate from high school and community college by the age of fourteen when she didn't know the best way to peel potatoes or how long it would take to boil an egg?

This was what she’d missed growing up. This was normal. Normal was glorious.

Tildi tried not to let it get to her. That was then and this was now.

She should have figured out earlier that morning she had nothing to worry about. As soon as Kenzie saw Tildi getting frustrated or downhearted—and Kenzie saw it a lot—Kenzie was by her side encouraging her and making her laugh.

On one hand it made Tildi feel accepted and included, but on the other it made her miss her own sister. That was it. She had put it off long enough. Too long if she were being honest. Tonight she would call Breezy.

If Boone thought no one would mind, she’d even invite her sister to come visit.

She made up her mind to talk to Boone that night about reaching out to Breezy. Maybe she could even come visit. Tildi sucked her bottom lip between her teeth and raked it back and forth.

What if Breezy didn’t want to talk to her? What if she wouldn’t answer her phone? Or worse, what if she hung up when she realized who it was? Could she take it if Breezy had written her off? Maybe she’d wait a few more days and call when things had settled into a routine. Yeah, that sounded like a better, safer plan.

Ruby inspected the dining table and its spread of food. “Well, I guess that’s as good as it’s going to get. Tildi, would you like to ring the dinner bell for me?”

“The dinner bell?”

“Yes, poppet. Did you not get to ring the dinner bell when you were younger?”

“Um, no, ma’am.” She looked to Kenzie for a clue, but she wasn’t paying attention. “At least, I don’t think so. But if you’ll show me where it is, I’d love to ring it for you.”

Ruby had returned her gaze to the table. “Land sakes, I forgot to put out the pickles. Kenzie, can you show Tildi where the dinner bell is?”

“Sure, Ruby. Come on, Tildi. Follow me.”

Tildi followed Kenzie to the front porch. They walked down the porch to the second column and there, attached to the column by a black iron hook, was a large black bell.

“Here you are,” Kenzie said and swept out her arm in the direction of the bell, as if she’d conducted Tildi to her seat at the opera. When Tildi didn’t move, she added, “It’s not hard. All you have to do is grab that string hanging down from the clapper and clang it side to side. You’d be surprised what a ruckus it makes. Go ahead. Try it.”

Tildi grabbed the cord, but she didn’t want to break anything. She tapped the side, and it clanged. Okay, clanged night be an overstatement. Pinged might be more accurate.

“Hell’s bells, girlfriend. You got to whale the tar out of it. Let me help.”

Before Tildi could guess her intention, Kenzie had grabbed the string, covering Tildi’s hand in the process. Kenzie proceeded to whale away on the bell, and Tildi tried not to land on her backside on the porch.

She was just getting into the swing of things when someone grabbed her from behind. She opened her mouth to shriek, but the air was freezing and her throat locked down, so instead she peeped like a baby chick.

The hands on her loosened, only to be replaced with powerful arms that pulled her into a hard, warm chest. The scent of pine and leather surrounded her, and something else. Mmm. The dangerous, masculine scent that was pure Boone.

“Miss me, darlin’?” His voice was a delicious rumble that vibrated through her curling her toes.

“Always.” Turning in his arms, she plowed her hands underneath his shirt. “You’re warm, Daddy.”