“Bob Hawkins said Nancy’s carrot and spinach muffins should have won due to her creativity in creating an edible vegetable on top of each.”
“Someone actually made muffins out of those two ingredients?” He felt nauseous at the thought.
“Yes, and Joe said he couldn’t swallow his mouthful.”
“Which tells you just how bad they are then, because that man can eat anything. Now tell me what is the big deal about Bob and Nancy? I’m always hearing their names in hushed tones.”
“That’s a knitting club thing.” Mandy’s cheeks were red. She wore a hat pulled low over her ears, and a thick, long wool coat and purple scarf.
“You’re blushing.”
“I always do that. Ted is constantly saying things deliberately to see me blush.”
“I bet.”
“I’ve lived my life with fear and worry gnawing at me, Fin. It’s not good for you.”
Fin sighed. “I’m not living in fear, Mandy, and until my family arrived in Ryker Falls, nothing was gnawing at me.”
“Unless they’re really nasty people, Fin, talk to them. Family is important.”
“It’s complicated, and I’m not sure why it’s up for public discussion. I don’t remember hassling you all the time about your life when you were still in your shell.” He regretted the words as they left his mouth. “Sorry, that was out of line.”
“It wasn’t, really, and you’re right. You guys were so kind to me all the time, but I didn’t have a family wanting to reconnect with me. You do.”
“Does it matter that I don’t want to, or what happened to make me disconnect with them?”
“Of course it does. If your father did something really bad then he gave up his rights to you, and I’ll hate him even in the afterlife. But he just doesn’t seem the type to me.” She patted his arm. “But that is your decision. We just want you happy because we love you.”
“And while that warms my cold heart, it’s not really anyone’s business but mine, Mandy.” He said the words gently.
“Like that’s ever bothered anyone in this town.”
“True that,” Fin sighed.
“I got this now, Mandy. You go on back to Tea Total.”
He hadn’t seen Joe arrive, but suddenly there he was, all ready to annoy him. He kissed Mandy’s cheek, then nudged her in the opposite direction.
“What’s this, a tag team?” Fin scowled at his best friend. He felt raw, off-balance. Like he’d woken the day after making love to Maggs and his skin wasn’t the right fit. He’d told her at the bake-off not to run away as he’d be back. What had she done? Run away.
He’d thought about knocking on her door, but because he was angry he’d gone home instead, to look at the bed he’d made love to her in.
He was in a seriously bad way and it was all her fault.
“Drop it, Joe. I’m not a public service. I can sort my own shit out.”
“You interfere constantly in my life, especially with Bailey.”
“Because you were making a hash of that. I merely pointed that out. See how well that worked for you.”
“Come on, bud, I’m not pushing you to reconcile with your family if you really don’t want to, just open up to me. I’m worried about you.”
“I’m talking to Mallory.”
“That’s good then. Did you know the Robbins sisters cornered him, your dad? They said if he hurt you again they’d personally run him out of town.”
“Get out.” Fin had to smile over that. Some of the people in this town loved him, and it was a good time to be reminded of that.
