“That was a success.” Mel waved until Joanna’s car was out of sight. “Nowhere near as awkward as I thought it would be. And Nate was warm and friendly. Can’t have been easy. I’m sure a part of him is still hurt. Joanna ended their relationship very suddenly and then left with Cliff. You’re probably thinking it was a long time ago, but when you’re young these things can have a lasting impact. Why are you staring at me?”

“Er—maybe because that wasn’t what happened?” Eden grabbed Bess to stop her chasing after the car.

“It happened.” Mel tugged up a couple of weeds that had appeared on her front border. “I was here. I lived through it. But we’re all putting it behind us, and that’s good.”

“Oh, for—” Eden shook her head in frustration. “You are always so convinced that your interpretation of everything is right, it doesn’t enter your head that you could be wrong. Well, news flash. You’re not always right, Mom!”

Mel glanced up and saw the fire in Eden’s eyes and the lift of her chin. She wished, not for the first time, that her daughter was less like her. That rip of temper. That stubborn streak.

What had she done to attract Eden’s anger this time? She had no idea.

“I don’t always think I’m right, but I’m right about this.” Mel tugged a weed out of the ground, harder than was necessary. She’d had a pleasant evening chatting with Joanna. It hadn’t been as easy and comfortable as it had been growing up, but she’d enjoyed herself despite that. And now the evening was still warm. The scents from her border were intoxicating. She’d been feeling mellow, but that wasn’t going to last if the conversation with Eden carried on.

“You see? You have to have the last word. You are not right. It wasn’t Joanna who dumped Nate. It was the other way around.”

“You know nothing about it, Eden.” Mel gave up on the weeds. Mellow was giving way to irritable.

“No? Have you actually ever asked Joanna what happened?”

“I don’t need to. I know what happened.”

“You think you know. Ask her, Mom. Ask her what really happened, and then get ready to apologize.”

A few years ago she’d been worried about how she’d handle Eden leaving the nest. Right now she was ready to push her out.

“Eden—”

“Uncle Nate dumped her. That’s what happened. He dumped her.” Her voice rose and Bess gave a little whine, not knowing what was wrong but sure that something was. “And she was so upset about the whole thing she left town with that guy. Cliff.”

“That isn’t true.”