Maybe Kelley actually was happy to see her, but it wouldn’t last. She had been on Erica’s side back then and Dani had a hard time imagining things would be different now. If Julia was in her group, Dani knew things definitely wouldn’t be different. A line would be drawn, and sides would be chosen. Kelley wouldn’t choose hers, so the jaded side of Dani knew what was genuine wouldn’t last. It was just a matter of time.
And with that thought, Dani moved forward to the counter.
She was officially back home.
After opening a new account (her last was closed because of the whole ‘dead’ thing), Dani headed to see the one person she thought would be happy to see her, and would never change that status.
Her other aunt.
And she heard as she headed inside Mae’s Grill, “Well, hell, the barn cat dragged something in here worthwhile, for once.”
Mae slapped her bar towel over her shoulder and hurried around the bar counter. Dani had two seconds before she was hauled in for a bear hug. Fifty-three and Aunt Mae was still the feisty strong woman she always had been. When she was let go, Dani moved back so she could really see her. Steel-toe boots. Silver hair pulled into a haphazard ponytail. Checkered button-up shirt with a lacy tank top underneath and a tease of cleavage peeking out. And faded jeans.
Same old Aunt Mae.
There’d been a time when Mae was the only one Dani could lean on, and then there were times when the woman wasn’t anywhere in her life. She was glad that it seemed she got back the first version of Mae again. Dani hoped it would last, and she couldn’t hold back a grin. She had missed her. “Hi, Mae.”
One of the regulars looked up from his drink. “I didn’t know you had a cat, Mae?”
“I don’t. It’s a saying, Barney.” Her hands rested on Dani’s shoulders, shaking her lightly. “Christ’s sake, it’s about fucking time you got your skinny little behind back to these parts. It’s been so long. Too long!” She threw her head back. “This calls for a celebration. What’ll you have? On the house!”
“You don’t have a barn, Mae. How’s you can have a barn cat?” Barney mumbled, dipping over his drink.
She rounded on him. “I got a barn. Why don’t you go look for it?”
“Where’s it at abouts?”
“Right behind here. Go take a look-see. Tell me when you find me that barn cat of mine. I’d like him back someday.”
“Are you joshing me, Mae?”
“Barney,” she sounded tired, “when do I ever josh you? You’d have to be sober for me to do that. Now git and find me that cat of mine.” She scooted around the counter, giving Dani a wink.
“Mmkay, but if your barn cat scratches me, and I have to get me some tetanus shots, you’re paying, Mae. Just laying the law down there.” He almost fell off his stool as he got to his feet.
He was a keen negotiator.
As he stumbled out the back, another guy at the bar lifted up his beer. “Mae, that was cruel even for you. You don’t have a barn, or a cat.” He was hunched over, sitting toward the middle of the counter. Dani couldn’t see him clearly since half the lights were turned off inside the bar, but she could make out a flannel shirt, dark hair lined with grey strands, and a small beard on his face.
“Shut it, Jeffries, and drink your beer while I’m still giving it to you.”
He saluted and drank. “Shutting it.”
“So, what finally brought your ever-pretty mug back to these whereabouts? And don’t think you ain’t getting off that easy. I know you don’t like to say much, never did, but you better start yapping or your Aunt Mae is going to get pissed. Might have to make a phone call to my sister.” She cringed. “Never mind on that. I couldn’t handle Kathryn when you were here. I know I won’t be able to now.” She winked and then sobered, leaning closer. She softened her voice. “Seriously, I’m glad as hell that you’re back. About time, if you ask me. How are you going to break the news to that sister of yours? She’ll have some words for you, especially since you missed your sister’s funeral.”
Your sister’s funeral.
When Mae kept going, not giving her time to answer.
Kelley’s words from the bank echoed alongside. You didn’t come to Erica’s…
There it was.
But I thought…
Mae was still talking. “—She’s going to light into you. You better have a good excuse ready, though I don’t think it’ll work.”
Yeah. A good excuse. Dani cleared her throat. “I didn’t know about Erica’s death when it happened. I couldn’t come for the funeral. I’ll tell Julia that when I see her.”
“That’s not going to fly. She’s going to say you didn’t tell anyone where you were, and it’ll be your fault. They’ll turn everything on you. You know that.” Mae had a keen eye on her. “Well, I’m guessing this isn’t the first you heard about your sister’s death. You’d be shaken and you’re not. How did you find out?”
That was a whole other conversation as well. “Just heard around, you know. What’s done is done.”
“That why you’re here?” Aunt Mae continued to study her niece.
“Just time to come back.” Dani motioned toward the liquor bottles. She was suddenly parched. “I’ll have a rum and diet.”
“Ah hell, don’t go breaking your aunt’s heart. You’ll have a beer on tap, not some diet soda crap.”