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“My sweet girl, you’re practically a celebrity,” their mother cooed, hugging Ellie before sharing the good news with the surrounding tables.

After more congratulations, a “good going, bookworm” from Andie, followed by a promise to help get camera-ready for any events or photo opportunities from Maddie, they finally settled down to order.

“Anything else?” Beth Ann asked, her gaze settled on Katherine. “Maybe something sweet and spicy? New and exciting?”

“No.” Katherine’s back straightened. “We don’t need anything else.”

“Not even something alittlesweet?”

As Beth Ann’s smile morphed into downright mischievousness, Katherine could feel all eyes at the table were back on her again.

“No, Bethie!” she snapped as Beth Ann took a cautious step back. She must’ve sensed how much Katherine wanted to maim her.

“Okay then.” Beth Ann let out an exaggerated sigh. “I guess I better go make sure Zach finished Frank’s order. You know, since he and Bella need to be going soon.”

Watching Beth Ann walk away, Katherine fought the urge to throw a napkin-wrapped bundle of silverware at the back of her head.

“Baby girl, stop scowling and be nice,” her mother scolded. “You’re lucky to have Beth Ann around. She’s a lovely girl who’s done nothing but make your life easier since she came to Windsong.”

When her sisters agreed, a pang of guilt stabbed at Katherine’s heart. She felt bad for getting so annoyed with all the teasing since what her mother had said was true. Beth Ann had brought her fair share of goodness to The Copperwall. And despite her endless obsession with wanting to set Katherine up, she really was a good friend.

Following a pleasant lunch with a thoughtful analysis of the latest special, and no more mention of Bella Vaughn, Katherine’s sisters excused themselves to go.

Kissing their mother and baby sister on the cheek, the four elder Bennett sisters departed in a cloud of conversation, leaving Katherine alone with the insightful eyes of her mother.

“Are you sure you’re alright?”

“Why do you ask?”

“Because you seem bothered about something.”

“Not at all. I’m fine. But how are you? And hey, how’s Daddy? I haven’t seen him in a while.”

“As you can see, I am perfectly fine. And as always, your father’s doing well, aside from being extremely busy. Did you know the department is hiring someone new?”

Katherine hadn’t heard about anyone joining the police force, but she also couldn’t let the topic of anyone new invade their conversation.

“No, I haven’t. But I did forget to ask about that cold you had. You sound a lot better. Did you see Dr. Evans? Or was it Charlie? Has he finally taken over his dad’s practice? It’s been such a long time coming but I think he’ll do a good job, don’t you?”

“There you go again with that nervous rambling,” her mother said with concern on her face as she set a soothing hand over Katherine’s. “Darling, please tell me what’s wrong.”

Katherine froze. Her mother knew her far too well.

“Nothing’s wrong.”

“Are you sure? Because you seemed bothered when Beth Ann mentioned Frank and Isabella. I must say, I was surprised to see her here. I didn’t think she had the nerve to come around anymore. Has she done something to upset you?”

“You mean aside from the time she splashed my personal life and tragic loss all over the local news?” Katherine sneered, oozing with sarcasm. “Nooo... she’s been great.”

As hurt and disappointment washed over her mother’s face, Katherine realized that maybe the subject of a replacement forIsabella might’ve not come up, and the knot in her belly eased as she hurried to soften her words.

“Bella only comes in when she has Frank as a buffer. Probably because of her guilty conscience. And even then, she goes out of her way to avoid me, which I’m sure you can imagine doesn’t exactly hurt my feelings. Still, Frank is one of our best customers.”

“I imagine he is,” Mrs. Bennett said with a sigh. “Bella never was very domestic.”

“I’m sure. But we’re always happy to have him around.” Katherine smiled. “Don’t you remember it was Frank who came up with the double-everything version of Granddaddy’s Brown Lace Bagel?”

“I remember,” Mrs. Bennett said with a wistful smile, clearly at odds with her lingering frustration toward her old friend. As for Frank, he always was and always would be a true friend. But Bella’s betrayal of the Bennett family for the sake of her career still lingered, even though forgiving her was something Mrs. Bennett had tried to do more times than she cared to admit. “He’s a good man. But if I’m being honest, as far as Bella goes, loyalty was never very high on her list of qualities. Still, I’m glad you can see the good in Frank.”