Chapter Sixteen
Simon had Ruth cover him while he went back to check on his mother. He thought he’d seen someone go by. And since no one had grabbed the bathroom key, that someone had to be near the kitchen or storage area.
He heard his mother talking to someone and slowed to a stop, unseen in the hallway.
“What can I do for you, Linda?”
Linda Madison answered, “Not too much. I’m here to pass some news about your rent. And to congratulate you.”
“For what?”
“For becoming part of the hottest new couple in town.”
Simon winced. Even he could hear that Linda sounded bitter.
His mom sighed. “I had hoped this wouldn’t be a big deal.”
“Seriously? You caught the most eligible bachelor in Central Oregon. How could it not?” Linda gave a light laugh. “I don’t know how you did it, but I want your secret.”
Simon could imagine his mom squirming, uncomfortable with the attention. He started forward when someone pulled him back.
He turned to see Jenna holding his arm, a finger over her lips. So he waited with his coconspirator to listen.
“There’s no secret. Mitch and I just hit it off. Who knows how long it will last?”
Forever, if Simon had his way.
“Well, good for you two.”Insincere much, Linda?he thought, pitying poor Davey as she continued.“Believe it or not, I really did come by to pass some information from Harris.” Her ex-husband and the tea shop’s landlord. Linda and Harris maintained a cordial relationship, and Linda ran a few of his business concerns while Harris lived in Portland. Simon didn’t mind the guy, though he thought Davey had gotten the short end of the stick when it came to parents—a rich, mostly absent dad and a witchy mom who liked men too much.
“What’s the news?” Simon’s mom asked.
A pause, then Linda said, “The rent is going up.”
“By how much?”
He heard paper rustling, then Linda said, “One-fifty a month.”
“That’s crazy.”
To her credit, Linda sounded apologetic. “I only know what Harris tells me. He’s been trying to figure out how to make ends meet, what with the housing prices going down everywhere in town. He’s taking a hit, so he’s raising rents on Main Street. And in case you think this is motivated by me possibly having an axe to grind, which I don’t, it’s not. I have nothing to do with his financial choices.”
“While I understand a rate hike, one-fifty a month?”
He and Jenna exchanged glances. Simon didn’t know how his mom calculated their budget, but they lived strictly by it. He had a feeling this would have a major impact on things.
“I’m sorry, but that’s what he told me. Harris wanted me to let everyone know in person. He’s also going to send emails out along with a new contract detailing the increase. There’s no penalty should you need to break your lease. He feels bad about the rate hike, but without it, he’ll have to sell some property. And let’s face it, there are enough businesses in town that he won’t have trouble filling your storefront with another company.” Linda paused. “But about Flash… I’m not sure how you snagged that fine man, but be warned—I’m here waiting. If you don’t satisfy him, I will.”
“Ew,” Jenna whispered.
He glanced at her, crossed his eyes, and grimaced.
She stifled a laugh.
They heard high heels on the tile and scattered. After Linda left, Simon found his mom staring at a mound of cookie dough. “Mom?”
She looked up and forced a smile, he could tell. “Hey, Simon. Jenna. How are you?”
Jenna had wormed her way to his side. “Hi, Mrs. Bragg. I’m good. How are you? Oh, are those your ginger-molasses cookies? Yum.”
