“It like we’re in an upscale boutique hotel,” Gemma muttered.
“If you think this room is spectacular, wait until you see the rest of the house. It’s done up beautifully. One of the hobbies she picked up after she retired is interior design. It’s fascinating going to antique markets and furniture shops with her. She knows so much, like how to tell a real piece of Sevres porcelain from a . . .”
When was this? Is this what you do on your dates with her?Frankie wondered.
“Rich, good timing! I was about to give you a call to see when you might be arriving.” A woman with short silver hair greeted her dad with a kiss on each cheek. She was elegantly dressed in a flowing floral top and black trousers cuffed at the ankle. “You look exceedingly dapper in that suit. You didn’t have to get all dressed up for me, but I do appreciate it.” She adjusted his tie.
Her dad’s chest swelled. His cheeks turned a rosy red. “These are for you.”
She splayed a hand on her chest. “Stunning.” She sniffed the flowers and accepted the gift bag containing the bottle of wine. Her eyelids fluttered. “You spoil me so. Thank you.” Placing the items on the coffee table, she glanced behind him. The corners of her mouth folded up. “You must be Frankie; lovely to meet you. Your father has spoken highly about you.”
Frankie stepped forward to offer the woman a handshake, but instead, she received a hug.
“I’m a hugger. It comes with the territory of being a mother and a grandmother,” she laughed.
“Suzy-kins, this is Gemma.”
“Of course, you’re welcome too! You’re with Dreams on Ice, if I remember correctly, and Frankie’s closest friend?” She glanced at Frankie’s father, who nodded.
“Yes, ma’am, that’s right.” Gemma’s eyes widened as she, too, received a hug.
“Do I detect a hint of a Glaswegian accent?”
“Er . . . yes, you do.”
Suzy’s lips curved up. “My late husband was from Scotland. Fort Williams in the Highlands, to be exact. We lived in Glencoe, Glasgow, and Aberdeen before moving to the States in the seventies.”
“Did you now?”
Frankie and her dad exchanged glances. Gemma’s accent had suddenly become much more pronounced. She appreciated the way her father’s friend—no, girlfriend—went out of her way to make everyone feel at ease. She was a consummate host.
“You have a lovely home, Suzy. Thank you so much for inviting us to dinner tonight,” Frankie said.
Suzy led them to the formal dining room. Floor-to-ceiling windows on three sides of the room looked out over the shimmering blue water of Lake Wakahanra and the surrounding forest of pine trees. A speedboat zipped through the water in the distance.
“I’m thrilled you could all come tonight. I’d hoped our families might be able to meet, but both my sons had to work this evening, and my daughter doesn’t live in the area. So, it’ll just be my eldest grandson and possibly granddaughter dropping in on us today.”
“We don’t mind at all. I’ve been eager to meet your grandchildren.” Frankie’s dad rubbed his hands together.
“Would you like any help in the kitchen, Suzy? Gemma and I would be happy to be put to work,” Frankie offered.
“Oh heavens, no. You’re my guests this evening, and in any case, we have a housekeeper who runs the kitchen.”
Suzy picked up the wine and read the label. “Good choice! I haven’t heard of this winery, but the label is stunning. I love the watercolor detailing.”
“Mr. Tomlinson mentioned you collect wine labels. We thought this one might be unique. It’s a local special reserve. The liquor shop owner also mentioned that all their labels were created by hand,” Gemma said.
Her eyes danced. “That makes it all the more special.”
They chatted a little more about the home and learned it had been a passion project of her late husband. It had seven suites and a separate annex where her older son resided. Suzy promised that her grandson would give them a full tour of the cottage after dinner.
They sat down at the oak dining table and were served crackers, cheese, meats, tomatoes, carrots, and a few other select appetizers to nibble on as the housekeeper prepared a roast for the main meal. Plates were passed around and everyone began to serve themselves.
“Suzy, I’d love to hear a little bit more about what made you decide to ask Dad out on a date through the Golden Years app,” Frankie said.
A smile tugged at the corner of her lips. She glanced at him. “After the holidays were over this past winter, I was hit with a case of seasonal depression. It happens every so often, but time it was worse than normal.” She swallowed hard. “One might think that after being widowed for twelve years, a person might become accustomed to the quiet and the solitude, but in truth, you never do. Normally, I try to keep busy to keep my mind off things, but that wasn’t working.”
Frankie didn’t miss how her father’s hand disappeared under the table in Suzy’s direction.
