“Willow Marie! Would you come here a second and settle something between Alice and me?” Mabel yells across the room.
This spells trouble. And with the already suspicious activity happening today, I’m keeping close tabs on these two.
“What’s up, Miss Mabel?” I ask, plopping down into the free chair at their table.
“Well, Alice here seems to think that Oakley buys all his pastries frozen while I think he makes them all. Perhaps you could settle that for us.”
Jesus, these two are ridiculous. It’s obviously a ploy to distract me. Keep me occupied. Who knows, but I do know it’s absurd.
“Well, everything set out today was in the fridge, but I know he makes almost everything. He makes the sandwiches fresh too, including the bread.”
Mabel and Alice look at each other with a knowing look, and I realize I just gave away more than just the freshness of his product. Within half an hour, the whole town will now know that Oakley and I are together in some form.
Crafty gossips. You can’t ever let your guard down around them.
“Well, that’s wonderful to know. And how about you, dear? Is this just a one-time thing? Or…” Alice trails off.
“I like to help out where I can. If you recall, I have also been known to help out Ledger at the nursery.” I smirk.
“Right, of course,” Mabel says, giving Alice the evil eye. I’d laugh if it wouldn’t offend them.
“What are you two lovely ladies up to today?” I ask, showing them no mercy if they want to play this oblivious game.
“We were just going to relax in here for a while, if that’s okay. But if you’re closing up, just let us know.”
“Perfectly fine.” I smile as I get up and start heading back to the counter. I feel everyone’s eyes as I walk. Freaking Arlo. It’s the only thing I can think of because he knows what’s happening with Tennison. He probably started some rumor he knew would lead everyone here.
The door rings overhead and in walk Ledger and Rina.
Lovely, just want I need—overprotective siblings.
“Change professions without telling us?” Rina smirks.
“How can I help you, dear lovely customer.” I bat my eyelashes at her.
“We haven’t heard from you in a while. Thought we’d stop by and see how things are going,” Ledger fills in.
Yeah, might have been hung up with Oakley too hard to send my usual “I’m alive and finished writing” text.
“Interesting, and your first instinct was to come here?” I ask, deflecting.
Ledger’s cheeks turn a little rosy, and I roll my lips to stop the laugh.
“Ainsley’s dad texted her,” he says.
Jim Mathews, that sly little tattle.
“Well, I finished the book yesterday, and I’ve been taking some time to decompress.”
“Decompress, is that what the kids are calling it?” Rina throws out.
“You sound like a dad making his money off of terrible dad jokes,” I retort. Not my finest comeback, but my head isn’t completely focused today.
“Okay, well, that’s fun. Invite him to family dinner this week!” Rina claps.
“So, you finished your book?” Ledger adds, ignoring Rina’s shenanigans.
“I did, thank God. I’m so glad it’s done. It’s officially off to the editor, so now it’s a waiting game.”
