“Shelby honey, quite a few people in town were wondering about the service.Did you need help planning things?”Mrs.Hart asked.
She set down her fork.“No, Pops had it all arranged and Declan, our attorney, said it was all handled.”
“The thing is I think we’d all like to attend, if that’s okay, but the details weren’t included in the obituary.”
“He must have written that because I didn’t know one went out yet.”
Mrs.Hart pulled up an image on her phone and passed it to Shelby.Her eyes watered again, and she decided she would read it later.
“The service will be at the lighthouse, followed by the burial by my grandmother.Tomorrow at eleven a.m.,” Shelby said.
Mrs.Hart’s hand covered hers.“Alright we’ll be there, and I wanted to see if you’d like to come for a visit out to Hart House during your stay?I happen to have an artist studio that I think you’d enjoy.Maybe you could get some more inspiration and have dinner with me?”
“I’m not sure how long I’ll be staying in town, I mean now that Pops is gone.I may head back to Atlanta after the service.”
All the women nodded like that made sense, but then the room was filled with chatter as they started to rattle off a list of things she needed to do, if she was leaving the house empty for an extended period of time.
“You’ll want to make sure you have the fridge cleared out.”
“And turn off the water just in case.”
“Find a groundskeeper.”
“I didn’t think of all that.I guess I’ll need another day or two to get the house in order.”
“There’s no rush, dear,” Mrs.Hart said with a sweet smile.
Then as if they were part of an orchestrated dance, the women started to tidy up the food and store everything in the fridge for her.Once the kitchen was spotless, they made their way to the door like a school of fish, just as there was another knock.
When she opened it, she was surprised to find Wes standing there in uniform.He had a scowl, but it was directed at his grandmother not Shelby.
“Oh my favorite grandson—look, ladies, it’s Wesley.”
The women all greeted him with big smiles and admiration, as if he were visiting them at their own homes.
“Gran, I asked you not to impose on Shelby.She’s got a lot going on,” Wes said and she couldn’t help but enjoy the protective tone he used.
“Oh well if you mean bringing her pies and cakes—and feeding her the first good meal of the day—was imposing then I am guilty as charged.You better arrest me,” Mrs.Hart said.
The women all laughed, and Shelby couldn’t help but be envious of the friendship and bond they all had.She’d never had a group of women to back her up so effortlessly.They each gave her arm a squeeze or offered a pat on the back as they filed out of the house.
“We’ll see you tomorrow, Shelby, and if you need anything you just call me.I left my number on the kitchen counter,” Mrs.Hart said.“You’re one of us now, dear, so don’t you hesitate to reach out.”
“Thank you, Mrs.Hart.”Shelby accepted another warm hug from her and enjoyed her scent of powder and cinnamon.Then they were gone.
“I hope they weren’t being too meddlesome.Those women are like an old lady biker game, but with fancy cars, pies, and southern accents for weapons,” Wes said.
“Actually, it was really nice to have them surprise me.I sorta forgot to get dressed or eat today.I’ve just been writing since you left.”
His eyes roamed over her body and warmth trailed a path where his gaze moved, as if her body could imagine him touching her everywhere he looked.
“Do you want more company or do you need to get back to your book?”
She held the door wide open.“I also forgot to shower—maybe you could help me with that.”
Wes took a big step inside and gripped her waist, his face diving into her neck where he inhaled her scent and kissed her throat.“Maybe we should get a little dirtier.I’d hate to waste all that water.”
“Great idea.”
