Page 81 of Falling for Keeps

“You know, if you want, we can set you up with a nice young lady⁠—”

“I’m good for now,” I say quickly. “But thanks for the offer.”

“Okay, I won’t press the issue.” Edna G. puts her hands up in surrender. “But I think our little librarian is the sweetest creature. If you don’t snatch her up, that Seth just might.”

These women are incorrigible. Also…what do they know about Seth? Is there more information than I’ve gleaned? I’m so tempted to ask them, but that’s dangerous ground to be treading. We’re on opposite sides of this war, and I don’t want to give too much away.

But…I need to know. “Seth is her friend,” I say vaguely.

They blink at me like owls, steady and still. They’re smart, and they know what they’re doing.

It’s too much for me. “Fine. Tell me. What do you know?”

“Nothing.” Edna G. gives me an innocent look. “Only that Emma was seen out on another date with him over the weekend.”

“I saw them, too.”

“And getting cozy in the library,” Edna B. adds.

“Also something I got to witness firsthand.”

“And holding her hand in line for the maple farm treats just a second ago.”

Holding her—how do they even know that? How do they know everything? My teeth clench together. That’s not something I saw, and I don’t like it one bit. Before I can reply or dive deep into why I want to squash a tomato in my fist like a barbarian, the door opens and Penny bounds inside.

“Can we go now?” she asks. Mom comes in behind her and greets the Ednas, then introduces them to my daughter. I’m practically buzzing with a need to get to that booth and see this hand-holding rumor firsthand, to find out if Emma is off the market for real.

“Your father is holding the tooth I made for him,” Edna B. says.

Penny shoots a disgusted look my way before clocking the crocheted blob in my hand. She lights up. “I want one!”

A tooth. She wants a stuffed tooth.

“I’ll make you something else, dear,” Edna B. says.

“Actually? I really love tigers.”

The Ednas ask Penny more questions, so I point to the back and Mom gives me a nod. I find Paul hiding in the furthest exam room. “You’re good to go home.”

“Thanks, doc.” He’s sheepish. “Sorry I ran as soon as they showed up.”

“No worries. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

He gathers his things and I log out of my computer, powering off the lights in everything but the waiting room. The safety lights stay on, and it’s already getting dim outside while the sun makes its early fall descent.

“Ready?” I ask, throwing my bag over my shoulder when I make it to the waiting room. The Ednas are asking my mom something about the mayor, and I know they’re only needling her for information for the library vote. If she’s secretly dating Mayor Monroe, she hasn’t told me about it.

She’s a good person, because she goes out of her way to listen and answer what she can, though I notice her being vague about some things. Too vague. “We’d better get going,” Mom says. “I’m sure we’ll see you out there.”

The Ednas cluck and disappear through the door like two hens. I wonder which one is the top of the pecking order. Maybe they both reign supreme in this town.

“The Maple Farm booth sounds good,” I say offhand. “One of my patients said the cream puffs are incredible.”

“I fed Penny at home, but don’t you need to eat first?”

“I ate,” I say. A few beef sticks and a bag of pretzels, but it counts. Time is of the essence.

“Okay, let’s go.”