“Should I turn around and go home?” he asked with a hint of sarcasm.

“Don’t be ridiculous.” Chi-Chi knew he had driven fifteen hours. “I cannot change the plans, so you will have to be on your own for the evening.”

“I think I can manage that. What are your plans for the evening?”

“I am having dinner with a friend.”

Abeo’s voice brightened. “And what kind of friend?”

“A friend. Must you be so nosy?”

“Oh, do not disrespect me.” Abeo was half serious.

“You are being ridiculous again. I am not disrespecting you. But I am a grown woman and capable of making plans with friends without your permission.” Chi-Chi knew she was being curt, but she couldn’t help it. She wasn’t prepared for this kind of monkey wrench being thrown into her evening.

“Oh my. Are you in a mood today?”

“Sorry. No. I am trying to get the shop ready, and now you surprised me with an early arrival. That’s all.”

“I see. So let me come to the shop and help you today,” Abeo offered.

Chi-Chi wasn’t sure that was a good idea either, but she knew she had no choice. “That would be very nice. See you soon.” Chi-Chi thought she might throw up in the back of her mouth.

A little over an hour later, Abeo arrived at Silver & Stone. “I am very impressed.” He scanned her shop from one end to the other.

“Thank you.” Chi-Chi smiled demurely, hiding her anxiety. She didn’t know what to say if Cullen came into her shop. Of course, she would introduce him to her brother. He was a friend after all. But she knew her brother was a bit nosy and might press her for details about her dinner arrangements. Why did her brother have to come to town so soon? It was just like him to disturb her plans. Ever since they were teens, Abeo enjoyed getting under his little sister’s skin. She loved him dearly, but there were times she wanted to smack him with a stick.

“Lebici, what have you done with your hair?” He peered closely at the pin-straight ponytail that ran the length of her back. “I don’t remember your wearing it like this?”

“I thought I would try something new,” Chi-Chi replied. The night before, after she had braided Luna’s hair, Luna returned the favor by flat-ironing Chi-Chi’s.

“Do you not like it?” She really didn’t care if he did or not, but she had to be polite.

“It looks lovely.” Abeo hugged her. “Tell me about your plans for the weekend.”