Free Have Bouquet, Need Boyfriend by Rita Herron Page B

chin on her hand. “I don’t understand this rift between
    Dad and Uncle Bert. Brothers should be close, like we are.”
     
    Hannah squeezed Mimi’s hand. “I know, it’s a shame.”
     
    “It sure is.” Suzanne sighed. “I’ll do my best to convince Dad he has to
    come.” Suzanne turned to Rebecca. “You should call him, too, sis.”
     
    “He listens to you more than me.”
     
    Suzanne’s eyes narrowed into a frown, her gaze meeting Rebecca’s. She
    knew their father favored her, didn’t she? Or was she oblivious to the
    tension between Rebecca and their dad?
     
    “I’m sure he wants to see you, Bee.” Suzanne’s voice sounded so sincere.
    “I just hope he and Uncle Wiley can be in the same room without slitting
    each other’s throats.”
     
    “Maybe we should tell each of them that the other one won’t be there,”
    Mimi suggested.
     
    Hannah made a skeptical face. “That might backfire and fireworks could
    explode.”
     
    Rebecca imagined the scene. “I agree. I think we should prepare them.”
     
    “But let’s issue strict orders that they can’t fight,” Hannah said.
    “They definitely have to behave,” Mimi said. “We don’t want anyone to
    ruin Grammy’s party.”
     
    “I’ll see if we can’t find Aunt Shelby, too,” Hannah said. “No one in
    the family has heard from her in ages, but I’m sure Grammy wants her there.”
     
    “It’ll be like a big family reunion!” Mimi squealed. “And Maggie Rose is
    starting a new generation of Hartwell girls. Maybe Hannah and Alison
    will add to the crew by next year.”
     
    The girls laughed, but Rebecca remained silent, her own desire for a
    baby mounting.
     
    She was thankful when the food arrived, and the girls dug into salads,
    quiches and soup. “This is divine,” Suzanne said. “It reminds me of a
    neat little cafe in a hotel near Little Five Points.”
     
    “Speaking of hotels,” Mimi said, clapping the table. “There’s a small
    place adjoining the Tiara Room called the Honeysuckle Inn for anyone who
    wants to stay over and not drive back that night.” Mimi winked. “Seth
    and I are looking forward to spending a romantic night there.”
     
    “Jake and I plan to stay over, too,” Hannah said with a grin. “I can’t
    wait to have him all to myself, no phone calls, no emergencies for
    either one of us.”
     
    “You two can bring a date,” Mimi offered.
     
    Thomas’s face materialized in Rebecca’s mind, but she quickly banished
    it. Not only would he not want to attend a family birthday party with
    her, but Alison and Brady would be there, fresh from their honeymoon. If
    he still harbored feelings for her cousin, seeing the newlyweds would
    only rub salt into his wounds.
     
     
     
    “I might bring someone,” Suzanne said. “I have been dating this hot guy
    named Nick.”
     
    Rebecca winced. Of course Suzanne would have a great guy to escort her.
     
    And like high school, she would be the wallflower.
     
    As soon as the girls went their separate ways, Mimi pulled Hannah to the
    side. “Did you see Rebecca’s face when you mentioned a date?”
     
    Hannah nodded. “Yeah, she looked kind of dreamy, then sad.”
     
    “I bet she was thinking about Thomas.”
     
    “We don’t know for sure. Maybe there’s someone else….”
     
    “You didn’t see her tortured expression when she asked me if I thought
    he was still in love with Alison.”
     
    “That bad, huh?” Hannah asked.
     
    Mimi nodded. “Downright pathetic. We have to give them a nudge.”
     
    “But what if he isn’t interested?”
     
    Mimi thumped her fingernail on her chin. “Feel him out this afternoon,
    okay?”
     
    Hannah rolled her eyes. “All right, but I just hope he doesn’t catch on.
    I don’t want him to think I’m interfering in his personal life.”
     
    Mimi laughed. “Honey, men need a little interference or else they’d all
    stay single forever.”
     
    Hannah chuckled, and Mimi grabbed her arm and