“He looks like his brothers. I have this red hair.”
“Well, sweetie, I’d describe your hair more as auburn with some dark undercurrents. Not to mention, what does hair color really prove?”
“It’s also my pale skin. No one has pale skin like me.”
“All of these silly things could be solved with hair dye and a fake tan. I was there when you were born, Juno. You’re a Bailey.”
I sulk in the chair. “I didn’t really believe Hank Billings. I didn’t think I was bought at a pawn shop or flea market.” I shrug. “I just feel like I’ve put all my rocks into being a matchmaker and what if Mom lied to me?”
“Did you know your mother to be a liar?”
“No, but I only knew her for thirteen years.”
Knock, knock.
“Perfect timing. Get the door.”
I stand and open the door to find Savannah there with a stroller.
“Brinley,” I say, bending to stare into the stroller at my beautiful niece.
“You wake her and you’re dead.” Savannah pushes the stroller into the apartment. “You’re getting your hair done, Grandma? I’m not sure Brinley should be exposed to those fumes.”
“It’s not a perm, they’re just rollers,” Grandma Dori scolds. We all seem to be on our last nerve today. “Do you think I didn’t raise a child of my own?”
“What are you doing here?” Savannah asks me.
“I could ask you the same thing,” I say.
“Because I have to talk to Grandma about business.” She moves the stroller back and forth to keep Brinley asleep. “How’s things with Colton, you little vixen?”
I feel heat fill my cheeks. “Fine.”
“Juno’s back to her whole ‘she’s not a real Bailey’ thing again,” Grandma Dori says.
Savannah scoffs. “Juno, you’re a Bailey.”
“I know I’m a Bailey, but I’m not sure if I’m a matchmaker. Did Mom ever lie to you?”
Savannah laughs. “And I thought I was hormonal. I went from mean to nice and now I’m in some weird galaxy where I cry about her getting older and yell at Liam for putting the lotion in the wrong place.”
“That’s motherhood,” Grandma Dori says, cool and calm.
“Juno, you need to relax. You’re good at what you do. This person at my work still refers you out because you got her brother with someone. They’re married and have, like, a trillion kids. Which after one, I’m not sure why people have more.” She looks at Brinley and smiles. “Although when she’s sleeping, she’s beautiful.”
I laugh. “Have you always loved working at Bailey Timber?”
She balks. “You’re joking, right? No. Remember a few years ago when Holly’s dad’s business was threatening ours and I thought we were going down? That was bad…” Her eyes laser in on mine as if she can see what’s really wrong. She glances at Grandma and back at me. “Call me later,” Savannah whispers.
“I better go anyway. If I can’t hold my niece, then I’m outta here.” I give Grandma a kiss on the cheek. “FYI, Colton wants his key back and Ethel is creeping him out.”
Grandma Dori laughs.
“What am I missing?” Savannah asks.
“Grandma used a key to get into Colton’s house the morning after the wedding.”
“Ew, why would you do that? You want to see them going at it?” Savannah’s face is one of pure disgust.
“And Ethel looks at him like he’s her next social security check,” I say.
“She does not and so what? You should feel complimented that she’s admiring his body so much,” Grandma says.
Savannah and I share the same look. Like one more word and we’re going to run to the toilet.
“Tell Colton to get used to the key thing,” Savannah says. “The other day I thought Brinley was missing when I went to her crib to get her only to find Grandma Dori with her in the family room.”
Grandma laughs.
“It’s not funny. I thought someone had kidnapped my child!”
“And then Liam came running out in his boxers. Ethel had no idea he had that many tattoos.” Grandma Dori’s eyes light up and now I’m thoroughly grossed out.
“Why is Ethel always with you anyway?” Savannah asks.
“Because the sheriff said if he found me driving, he’d put me in jail. I think he’s blowing smoke, but with Ethel’s family in Sunset Bay it’s like she’s part of ours.”
I kiss Savannah on the cheek. “Bye.”
“Wait up,” Savannah says before she points at Grandma. “Do not wake her up. I have to talk to you, and I’m not doing it while you’re cooing at Brinley.”
The two of us step out into the hallway.
“Is SparkFinder not doing too well financially?” Sav asks.
“Why would you ask that?”
“Because that’s usually when the love for something dies. When you’re doing things like blind speed dating in a bar to make money instead of why you got into matchmaking in the first place, it tells me something is going on.”
“How do…” It doesn’t matter how she heard about the work I’m doing in Anchorage. Silly me, I thought all my siblings who just had babies were in lala land. I guess not. “I’m fine.”
“You’d tell me, right?”
“Of course.” I nod.
“No, you wouldn’t, but I have to go in there to rescue my baby because I just know Grandma’s not going to listen to me. Come over one day and we can go over your books. Figure something out.”
I turn and leave, only to hear Savannah open the door and yell, “I told you not to wake her!” And then Brinley screams.
I smile to myself. I left at the perfect time.
Driving back to my office, I think about Savannah’s words of advice. She runs a huge company. Maybe she could’ve helped me, but it’s Friday and Mr. Richards wants his money for last month and this month’s rent and I don’t have it, so I’m going to have to get my things out.
I park down the block, and I’m surprised to find Colton waiting at my office door.
He holds up a bag from the sandwich place in Sunset Bay. “Lunch for my girl.”
“Sunset Bay?”
“Had to go to deliver puppies.”
“Did you bring one back with you?” I open the door to my office, and he follows me inside.
“Is that something you’d want?” He places the bag on my desk and pulls out the sandwiches.
“I’m actually surprised you don’t already have one.”
He nods. “I never felt settled enough for one, but now…” He wraps his arms around me and kisses my lips. “If my girlfriend wants one, I want to make her happy.”
“Oh, would you? Well, maybe it’s something we should talk about.”
“First you need to move in.” He squares his eyes on me.
I blow out a breath and wiggle out of his hold. “I’m starving. Tell me you got me the bacon turkey ranch?”
He stands in the middle of the room, apparently unwilling to answer me or move.