Reggie arrived home frozen to the bone. She let herself in the front door and was immediately greeted by Belle, who demanded a full face rub and lots of reassurance.

“Hey, where’s the wild dog who took on Burt?” she asked, unwinding her scarf.

“She seems to have forgotten her lone moment of bravery.”

Reggie jumped and turned to see her mother walking in from the family room.

“You scared me,” Reggie said, pressing a hand to her chest. “You waited up.”

“It’s nine thirty. I haven’t gone to bed yet.”

Reggie got her breathing under control and took off a couple more layers, then handed her mother a bag.

“Hand pies,” she said. “We stopped by the store and had a snack. Toby sent these home with me for dessert. I’m still hungry, so I could go for one. Want to split them with me?”

Her mother smiled. “Trying to distract me from asking about your date?”

Reggie laughed. “Mom, it wasn’t a date. I met Toby and Harrison for mini golf. That’s hardly romantic.” Which was the truth. The fact that instead Harrison had gone off with his friends while she and Toby had gotten a drink wasn’t something she was going to discuss.

“I was hoping for more,” her mother said, pouring them each a glass of milk and sitting at the kitchen table. Belle took her usual seat, beside Reggie’s chair—just in case something fell.

Reggie pulled out the two pies she’d brought home and handed her mother one. She grabbed a couple of napkins from the dispenser.

“You’re going to need this,” she said. “They’re extra crumbly tonight.”

“I love the hand pies, but they can be messy. And when you get them at the store, all they give is one of those little bakery tissues and a napkin. You really should talk to one of your inventor friends about making some kind of sleeve.”

“I’ll get right on that, Mom.”

“You’re dismissing me, but it’s a good idea. So, no kissing?”

The unexpected change in subject gave Reggie mental whiplash.

“No kissing.” Toby had been friendly, nothing else. Alas.

“Too bad. I was hoping you two would discover there was still chemistry. Not to pressure you, but I really need one of my daughters to get married. You’re nearly thirty, Reggie. It’s time. I had high hopes for Dena, but she’s chosen another path.”

Reggie thought about her sister’s mad crush on Micah Ruiz, but knew better than to mention it to her mother. Leigh would demand details and start planning an engagement party before the end of the week, and Dena had enough going on.

“I want to fall in love and get married, too,” Reggie said instead. “But it’s not happening.”