Liddy quirked a brow. “Is that disappointment I hear in your voice?”
“Only because I’m not sure if I can do this alone.”
“You don’t give yourself enough credit.”
“I know where my strengths are—and where they aren’t.”
“You’re smart, Shelby. You could figure this out on your own.”
Why hadn’t she insisted Gram at least train her to do her job? Digging the store out of the hole would be overwhelming enough on its own.
“And we’re here to help however we can.”
“You guys might not be here long, and you have this house to deal with. Caleb’s got a show coming up, and Dad’s busy teaching. As much as I dread the thought of Gray hanging around till the end of the year, it’s my best chance of turning the store around. I just can’t believe Gram let things get this bad.”
“Clearly she made some poor decisions.” They’d talked about the equity loan, but Shelby hadn’t yet mentioned where the money might’ve gone since she didn’t know for sure.
“She probably thought she’d get it all squared away and I’d never find out. I just wish I knew what her plan was, because it all seems pretty daunting right now.” Shelby felt so much pressure to rescue the store. It was Gram’s legacy. What if she lost it?
“You’ve got this—Gray or no Gray.” Liddy winked. “But I’m kinda hoping for Gray.”
“Hey.” Shelby swatted her with a ruffled apron. “You seem to have forgotten that once upon a time he decimated my heart.”
“You were both young and foolish. He seems to have grown up quite nicely, and for all his apparent reputation, he did relinquish his share of the store. That says something.”
“It says he doesn’t want anything to do with Grandville.”
“Yet he offered to stick around long enough to help you.”
“He’s doing it for Gram.”
“Keep telling yourself that.” Liddy smirked.
Shelby shot Liddy a wry look. “Whose side are you on?”
“Hey, speaking of hot ex-boyfriends, Caleb and I saw Brendan Remington at the hardware store. For some reason I thought he’d moved away.”
“He did for about two minutes, but he moved back after his divorce. He’s working at his dad’s investment firm. I heard Barry’s getting ready to retire, so Brendan will be taking over, which is what he’s always wanted.”
Her phone buzzed with an incoming text. She fished it from her pocket. “It’s Gray.”
Talked to my boss. I can stay till the end of the year. See you in the morning.
Shelby’s stomach did some kind of twitchy thing, like a body in the lingering throes of death. It was official. He would be staying for the next two months.
Two. Months.
She’d be working side by side with Gray Briggs for eight weeks, six days a week. Forty-eight days. Her math skills faltered at the calculation of hours—but it was a lot.
“Have some faith, Sweet Girl.”Shelby heard Gram’s voice in her head.“Everything will work out just fine.”
Easy for you to say.
“Well?” Liddy said. “Don’t keep me in suspense.”
Shelby turned her phone toward Liddy, who scanned the text and turned a smile on her. “And there you have it.”
“Why do I suddenly feel like my life is about to spin out of control?”
