Page 70 of Something Old

“So, I’ve got some of the dirt on Gwen now—thanks, Grant—but there’s something I’ve been long curious about that I bet Gwen knows the answer to.”

Gwen looked alert; Grant looked comically wary.

“Monika’s friend Kelsey seems to think the sun rises and the moon sets on our man here. Can you explain why, Gwen, my girl?”

Gwen giggled—actually giggled.

“I’m taking that as a yes, you can explain.”

“I’d like to know too,” Grant said. “Sincerely.”

Gwen looked surprised. “You seriously don’t know?”

“I have no clue.”

Gwen laughed. “Well, about a hundred years ago, she was dating the guy she eventually married—stupid her—and he was being an incredible jerk to her at a party. Grant went all knight-in-shining-armor on him, told him he shouldn’t treat her like that, that she was lovely and delicate . . . It was epic.”

Epic. Madeline grinned at Gwen’s slip into the 80s hyperbole of their younger days.

Grant rolled his eyes. “That’s why she likes me?”

“‘Likes’ is an understatement,” Gwen said.

“You have a lifelong fan. Should I be worried—or jealous?”

Grant glowered a bit. “Of course not. Don’t be—”

Madeline laughed. “Relax. I was joking. Unlike you two, I’m far removed from your teen glory days.” She looked between the two of them. “I do feel a bit left out, though.”

“Don’t,” Grant said vehemently—and Gwen added just as earnestly, “Feel lucky.”

“Well, as long as I’m in the loop now.”

Grant put his arm around her, and Gwen smiled. “You’re totally in, you poor thing—but just remember the old saying, be careful what you wish for and all that. I hope you don’t regret it too much down the road.”

“So,” Madeline said after a moment’s pause. “About what I said to Monika . . .”

“Right! Sorry. I meant to thank you for getting her off my back. That was pretty smooth.”

Madeline shook her head. “No thanks necessary, and also . . . it was actually self-serving because I was serious. Not that you work here now, obviously—but that I’d like you to. Part-time—flexible hours. You could choose them.”

Gwen stared, and Madeline flinched. “I know you’re really busy with your grandkids, and I totally respect that. I was hoping we could work around them? Maybe you could even bring them with you sometimes—”

“I could bring them with me?”

“Um, yeah.” Madeline fiddled with a rhinestone-encrusted brooch that she’d taken out to show a customer and hadn’t returned to the glass case yet. This wasn’t going the way she’d planned it at all. “I meant what I said about you being in charge of the yard. That’s what I’m hoping for most.” She went on to lightly describe her vision for a lawn and garden that was an extension of the store with garden decorations, furniture, and lighting that would bring shoppers in just as a lovely place to visit and have a cup of tea and a chat—but that would also all be for sale.

“I just thought, maybe it would be . . . something new for you. Something . . . fun. And it would bring in some money. I mean, I don’t know if you need it, but . . .” Madeline trailed off, struck mute by the expression on Gwen’s face. She couldn’t read it.

“I . . . I don’t know what to say. Thank you—but I . . . I need to think about it. Can I get back to you—like by Monday?”

Before Madeline could say yay or nay, Gwen unlocked the door and bolted out into the evening air.

“Well,” Madeline said to Grant a second or two later. “That’s not exactly the answer I was hoping for.”

“She’ll take it, and she’ll be great. You’ll see.”

“I admire your confidence,” she said, and she did . . . but she didn’t necessarily share it.