“She was such a good cook, I miss it… and her.” I sigh.
“Clearly the good cook gene ended with her, cause I sure as hell didn’t inherit it!”
“You’re not wrong.” We laugh together as she mixes together the ingredients in a bowl.
“I heard a truck coming down the driveway last night.” A statement, not a question.
“A friend was dropping off some medicine since I wasn’t feeling good.” I hop out of my seat to go grab a glass of water.
“Does that friend's name happen to rhyme with Benry Hellwood?” I can sense the smirk on her face. She thinks she’ssofunny.
I didn’t even think about my mom noticing I had anyone over. I wonder if she knows he was there all day and not just to “drop off some medicine” for me.
“I’m not sure I know what you’re talking about.” I turn on the water to drown out the noise of whatever she’s gonna say.
“I really do like that boy,” I hear her say into the mixing bowl. “The other Bellwood’s have always been good people when they came to town back in the day. I don’t remember Henry much though but I also didn’t often see Miles running around the diner.”
“If you like him so much, he’s single. Maybe you could date him.” I take a sip of water.
“Make him your new daddy?”
I choke on the water in my mouth. “Can you hand me a fork so I can stab my ear drums?”
“Oh, hush,” she points her whisk at me as I stand with my back against the refrigerator, “I just want to see my little girl get married one day.”
“Don’t get carried away now.” I huff out a laugh. “Just because there’s a new boy in town, doesn’t mean he’s the one. Plus he’s leaving once the Dew Drop Inn is renovated.”
“If anyone can make a man stay in Ruby Lake and have him wrapped around her finger, I know it’s my little Maisie.”
“Your little Maisie who’s never been in a relationship is gonna tie down a man here?” I retort. “Highly doubtful, but I love the enthusiasm.”
“I invited him to my birthday party, you know.”
“You’ve both told me already.” I shoot a glare at her.
“He’s new and has no friends here. I figured he might want to meet people.” She eyes me.
“You and Wren are both insufferable!”
“We just want you happy, Maisie.”
“Iamhappy.” I take another sip of water, finding myself getting frustrated. “And wearefriends but I don’t need a man to make me happy. I watched you, the strongest woman I know, raise me all on your own with no man in sight.”
“Okay, okay. You make valid points. Maybe just keep him around even if just friends, there’s something about him that makes me believe he really is a good person.” The smile of her face is soft as her eyes meet mine. “And I want is to see you two finish that little list of yours.”
“I can’t believe she told you!” An embarrassed sigh leaves my mouth and I throw my hands over my face in hiding. “You and Wren need to stop gossiping about me!”
“What else are a fifty-something and a twenty-something going to talk about if not their favorite person?”
“Can we eat lunch or something andpleeeeasetalk about literally anything else?”
After rummaging through the kitchen to find something to eat, we decide on sandwiches.
As I spread mustard across the slice of bread in front of me, I hear a knock at the door. Not many people tend to come down this way…
I have a sneaking suspicion that there’s going to be a dimpled smile greeting me on the other side that I need to hide from my mom.
“I wonder who that could be?” my mom questions at the same time I yell, “I got it!”
