Before she could set the cookie, or rather hockey puck, back down, Miss Georgie picked up a cookie and dunked it in her tea, so Eden figured she'd do the same. Maybe it would soften it up.
Rudy grabbed her arm before she could get her cookie to her cup. He leaned toward her and whispered. "It won't help, trust me. The tea doesn't taste any better than the cookie."
"Well, what am I supposed to do with it?" Her whispered words sounded like a hiss.
Rudy winked and shot her a grin that made him look like his dad but also made her heart stop for a moment. "Miss Georgie, Eden would love to see your doilies."
The older woman's eyes lit up again as she dropped her cookie into her tea and stood. For the next fifteen minutes, Miss Georgie guided her around the room pointing out the pretty lace-like decorations with beautiful, intricate patterns.
As Eden admired and oohed and aahed over each one, she watched Rudy out of the corner of her eye. He used his napkin to scoop up his cookies and tuck them into his pocket. Then he tucked hers into his other pocket.
Note to self: make sure I wear pockets when I visit Miss Georgie.
Not that she'd ever have an occasion to visit Miss Georgie again, but knowledge was power. Or in this case, protection. Eden bit back a grin when Rudy dumped first her tea then his into a nearby potted plant.
When she finally returned to her spot on the loveseat so Miss Georgie could demonstrate how she made the pretty doilies, the older woman's cookie still sat propped in her tea, whole and not at all dissolved.
"How long does it take you to crochet a doily?"
"It's called tatting, sweetie, not crocheting. I can do a small one in a day as long as my arthritis isn't acting up." She picked up a small silver, fish-shaped tool called a shuttle and wound the string around the fingers of both hands. With surprising speed, she shifted the shuttle back and forth between her fingers making a series of knots.
Eden was fascinated by the delicate design that formed. It wasn't until a clap of thunder sounded outside that she realized they'd been there for the better part of an hour.
Rudy stood. "We'd better head home."
Eden rose too and thanked Miss Georgie for sharing her talent with her. She caught sight of the cookie the old woman left in her tea before she stepped to the door. It was still whole. Not one bit dissolved.
She grimaced. She thought everyone had been exaggerating about Miss Georgie's cookies, but she really could have broken a tooth if she'd tried to eat one. Wouldn't her dad love that? It would confirm everything he believed about this hick town.
Rudy sucked in a deep breath as soon as they stepped out onto the front porch. "Doesn't that smell great?"
Eden inhaled deeply. The moisture in the air created a heady and fresh scent. "It does. But I thought you said it wouldn't rain." Light rain drops landed on Eden's head and shoulders as they started their walk home.
"I said it would probably just sprinkle, which is what it's doing."
Another clap of thunder sounded, and either the percussion of the sound ripped the heavy rain clouds open or Mother Nature needed a laugh, because the sprinkle became a downpour. A deluge of cold water.
"Ahh!" Eden shrieked at the same time Rudy said, "What the—"
Without discussion, they both took off running. Rudy's legs were longer than hers, and he could easily out distance her, but he slowed his pace enough to stay by her side, for which she was grateful.
It was full dark now, and even though she was sure she could find her way home, she appreciated that she didn't have to watch for landmarks while keeping her head down against the pelting rain. Instead, she focused on Rudy's tennis shoes beside her.
They were both drenched and shivering by the time they reached the Wheeler's house. The moment they set foot on the porch the downpour stopped. Sudden silence surrounded them.
"Huh?" Rudy turned and looked out across the yard before opening the door. "That's odd."
"I'll say." Eden held out a hand, checking to see if rain still fell.
Nothing. Not even a sprinkle.
"That was somesprinkle." Scowling, she followed him inside and kicked off her shoes.
Rudy snorted as though trying to hold back a laugh but then gave up and busted out laughing.
Rolling her eyes, Eden joined him. It seemed to be one mishap after another with them.
Still laughing, Rudy shook his head, sending more water droplets flying her way.
