Ever After at Sweetheart Ranch by Emma Cane Page A

in and handed Lyndsay a bottle of wine. “Red. You’ll like it.”
    â€œYou always know what I’ll like.”
    They grinned at each other.
    â€œI’ll just put these in water,” Kate called, making herself at home in the kitchen.
    Lyndsay couldn’t keep the smile from her face. It was so good to have her best friend back after all these years, and to know that at last her brother was truly happy again. “Where’s Dad?”
    â€œHe went to get Mrs. Thalberg. They should be here any minute.”
    She sighed. “When he asked if she could come, I couldn’t say no.”
    His eyebrows rose. “You didn’t want to invite Dad’s lady friend?”
    She chuckled at the old-­fashioned term. “Oh, it’s not that. I just have something important to tell you guys, and I didn’t want it spread all over town.”
    â€œShe can keep a secret.”
    â€œI hope so.” She’d certainly kept the Purple Poodles secret. But Lyndsay wasn’t about to ask for more details on that secret, not tonight.
    Kate ducked her head into the room. “Is that why you didn’t want Ethan to come? I told my parents it was just adults relaxing tonight, and they agreed to pick him up after lacrosse.”
    â€œYeah, I especially don’t want this spread around the middle school. So thank you. I hope I didn’t offend you.”
    â€œNope, you just made us real curious,” Tony said, taking the wine bottle back and following his fiancée into the kitchen.
    Lyndsay finished the salad while Tony decanted the wine. By the time Mario and his date arrived, they were all happily dissecting the many flavors in the wine.
    Lyndsay took Mrs. Thalberg’s sweater and kissed her on the cheek. “I’m so glad you could join us.”
    â€œI was delighted by the invitation, my dear.”
    â€œI hope the other widows weren’t offended.”
    â€œNot at all. They don’t expect to go on all my dates with your father.”
    The two older ­people shared a smile of deep understanding. Lyndsay let them have their moment and turned to pour more wine. Soon they all sat for dinner. Her ranch didn’t have a dining room, but the table in the kitchen had plenty of room for the five of them.
    While everyone was eating their salads, Lyndsay turned to Mrs. Thalberg. “So, about the historical society presidency . . .”
    Several forks dropped to plates. Lyndsay eyed the rest of her family in surprise. Why not get it out in the open?
    â€œI saw that you put posters up around town,” Lyndsay continued.
    â€œWell, I had to, dear, in anticipation of what Eileen might do. And then last night she started handing out lapel pins at the softball game. Quite clever, actually. They’re shaped like a little elegant hat, the kind she’s never seen without—­I barely remember what her hairstyle looks like—­and on the hat band is spelled out ‘Sweet.’ So happy to see that none of you are sporting them.”
    â€œThey are adorable,” Kate admitted.
    â€œWill dropped some off at the tavern today,” Tony said, after chewing a cucumber slice. “They’re cute, but not many ­people picked them up.”
    Mrs. Thalberg’s eyes brightened. “How good to hear. Thank you. And you plan to keep them?”
    Tony stopped eating as everyone regarded him expectantly. “I don’t take sides, Mrs. Thalberg—­not until I vote, anyway, and my vote is private. I have a poster of yours up in the window, don’t I?”
    Mario nodded. “You’re a good boy. Thank you.”
    â€œWhat made you decide to run?” Lyndsay asked Mrs. Thalberg.
    â€œJust like I said at the softball game. My concerns weren’t being met. I know you all heard about the display we wanted to do for Eileen’s mother, the silent film star. Eileen refused to cooperate and stole the idea for the