From the sound of it, Red’s issues had not only impacted his ability to be a father to his sons and a husband. They had also altered his ability to function within the Yukon Cider empire. Red’s absence from the executive ranks of the company had always puzzled True. Things were starting to make sense now.
“I won’t make you wait long for an answer, True. Time is not on my side these days.” Hattie’s lips trembled, a slight vulnerability in her armor.
“I’m so sorry,” True said. And she deeply meant it. Life without Hattie Stone would be like a carnival without rides. Moose Falls would feel lackluster without Hattie or her shimmering sparkles.
Hattie patted her hand. “Don’t be sad. I’m not afraid to die, just as I’ve never been afraid to live. What bothers me are the lost years between me and my grandsons.” A sigh slipped past her lips. “I’m never going to get that time back, and even though we’re making memories now, I fear they’ll never be enough to satisfy me. I want to see their children come into the world and watch as they find their soul mates.” She let out a chuckle. “I want to dance at their weddings and watch them grow into the best versions of themselves.”
True swallowed past the lump in her throat. Tears misted in her eyes. If she could, True would give Hattie all these moments on a silver platter.
All of a sudden, she heard the clearing of a throat. When she swung her gaze up, Xavier was standing there looking down at them. With a sprinkling of snow dotting his dark hair and jacket, he looked as handsome as ever. Along with him came the smell of sandalwood and a light citrus aroma.
“What brings you here?” Hattie asked, her hand dramatically laid against her chest.
Xavier scrunched up his forehead. “Seriously? What do you mean? You invited me.”
Hattie scowled at him. “Take a seat. You’re not subtle at all,” she muttered.
Clearly True wasn’t in on what was going on between Xavier and Hattie, but she had a hunch that it involved her. Xavier wouldn’t have known Hattie was here unless she’d told him, and he didn’t really look like the type of guy to frequent teahouses.
Delilah quickly came over and placed a teacup and saucer in front of Xavier. “What kind of tea would you like?”
“I’m not really the tea-drinking type,” he explained, looking sheepish.
Delilah laughed. “Are you sure you’re Hattie’s grandson? Tea flows in her veins.”
“Have some tea,” Hattie barked. “It’s good for the soul.”
Xavier regarded his grandmother with a mixture of confusion and awe. “Okay, how about black tea?”
“Coming right up,” Delilah said before walking toward the kitchen. It didn’t escape True’s notice that Delilah had to bite her lip to stop herself from laughing at the Xavier–Hattie show.
“So, what’s the deal, Hattie? Why did you want me to come down here?” He looked over at True. “Other than the lovely company, of course.”
“Likewise,” True murmured, pouring more hot water into her teacup.
Xavier let out a pained sound and looked at Hattie with a horrified expression. “Ouch! Did you just kick me under the table?”
Hattie buried herself in her teacup, then stuffed a pastry in her mouth. She was avoiding all eye contact, which wasn’t like her at all. Delilah walked up and placed Xavier’s teapot in front of him. “Enjoy,” she said in a chirpy voice before walking away.
Clearly, Hattie Stone had put her matchmaker hat on.
“If I’m not mistaken, Hattie is trying to play matchmaker between us. Isn’t that right, Hattie?” True asked, shooting her friend a pointed look.
The older woman sputtered. “That’s ridiculous. I—I was simply trying to let Xavier see some of the hot spots in Moose Falls. I don’t meddle.”
He eyed his grandmother skeptically. “News flash. I don’t have any problems getting women. Matter of fact, I get lots of ladies.”
His tone radiated cockiness. True folded her arms across her chest and stared him down. “Oh, really. Do tell.”
“I didn’t mean it like that,” he said, quirking his mouth.
“So what did you mean?” True asked. He was coming off like a Casanova, and she didn’t like it one bit. That was the last thing she needed in her life.
“I meant that I don’t need any help in the romance department,” he explained. “Not in an arrogant way or anything. Just speaking facts.”
True loudly sucked her teeth. Great! She was falling for a womanizer.
Hattie looked back and forth between them. “My spies were right. There’s something brewing between the two of you.” She held out her arm. “I’ve got goose bumps. And for the record, I don’t have a single objection to the two of you getting together.”
