“Okay.”
Shelby hoped the girl didn’t make a mess of it. But at least she’d be doing something productive.
“I sure do like all the changes I’m seeing around here.” Janet had moved on to the locally made necklaces. “Your gram would be so proud of you.”
“I’m not so sure. She wasn’t fond of change.”
“Businesses have to adapt.” She winked. “And that’s exactly what you’re doing. Ooh, this one’s pretty.” Janet held up a layered necklace with silver and rose gold chains, then set it aside. “I do believe it’s going home with me. I admit I had my doubts about Gray at first. I didn’t know him when he lived here before, but I knew of his reputation. Honestly, he’s nothing like I expected him to be.”
“He’s a good guy—and very smart when it comes to running a business.”
“Well, so are you, honey. In fact, I think the two of you make a great team.” A teasing gleam lit the woman’s brown eyes.
Shelby leveled her with a rueful look. “It’s not like that.”
“What? I didn’t say a word.”
“You didn’t have to. I prefer men who live right here in town.” And men who didn’t up and leave her without notice.
Janet threw her hands up, palms out. “I’m just a woman happily married for thirty-four years. What do I know?”
“You’re married to a prince. Charlie would keep you in all the books and stylish clothing you wanted even if you chose not to work.”
“Well, that’s true enough. But I’m too much of a people person to hang around the house all day. And don’t think I didn’t notice what you just did there.”
Shelby blinked. “Whatever do you mean?”
“Change the subject all you want, Shelby Thatcher, but I know chemistry when I see it, and, girl—”
The phone pealed.
Shelby gave her a big grin. “Oh, shoot. I have to get that.”
Gray carried the easel out back for Haley. It was about half the girl’s size, and it seemed as if her twiglike arms might snap under its weight.
“Thanks, Mr. Briggs.”
Mr. Briggs.Man, he was getting old. “Welcome.”
He returned to the office. No one had even called his dad Mr. Briggs. It was justFerris, or more oftenBriggs.He’d emailed his dad yesterday but hadn’t yet gotten a response. Dad usually only wrote once a week. Gray had no idea what life inside was like for him. He didn’t talk much about prison life. He shared what he was reading—he had access to a prison library. He wanted to know all about Gray’s life in Riverbend Gap. Sometimes, not very often, Dad asked for a little money on his account or for a book, which Gray sent through an online retailer.
For the first time in Gray’s memory, he had access, though limited, to a sober father. He liked this version better. Gray was used to visitinghim once a month, but the drive was too far from Grandville unless he made a whole weekend of it. And he hadn’t been able to take that much time away yet.
Dad had been up for parole twice but had been denied both times. Gray had mixed feelings on that. His dad planned to move to Riverbend Gap when he was released. But Gray feared he might go right back to the bottle. If that was the case, he’d be better off staying right where he was. But maybe he’d learned a thing or two while he’d been locked up. It was hard to say.
Gray always visited his dad on Thanksgiving and Christmas. It would be weird being away for the holidays. In recent years one of his bosses or coworkers invited him to their homes. He always accepted—it was the gracious thing to do. But also, who wanted to be alone for the holidays?
A knock sounded on the doorframe and Shelby peeked in, looking pretty in a red scoop-neck shirt and denim trousers. “How’s it going down here?”
“Almost finished scanning in the new inventory. The store seemed pretty busy this afternoon.”
“It has been. Did you find the chalk for Haley?”
“Yeah, she’s out back working on the sign.”
“Good.” She shifted in the doorway. Tucked her hair behind her ear, her gaze drifting around the office.
She had something on her mind. He settled back in the chair and regarded her. “What’s up?”
