Madge tucked a strand of platinum-gray hair behind her ear. “My, aren’t we a nosy posey.”
Erma took off her glasses. “When it comes to my friends, yes. I am.” Out of all the BBs, Madge was the least likely member of the group. Myrtle and Bea, along with Gwen, Peg, and Viola, had all lived in Maple Falls for decades, and Myrtle and Bea had gone to school with Erma way back in the day. Even Rosa Castillo, their newest member, had roots in Maple Falls. But Madge was different. She didn’t live in Maple Falls, and she was younger than the rest of them except for Rosa. But Erma still remembered the day she’d showed up at Amazing Grace almost eight years ago, alone and looking lost, although she tried to hide it under a cool veneer. Erma had taken her under her wing ever since, but even she had to admit there were times Madge was a square peg in a round hole when it came to the BBs, and sometimes her frostiness could be off-putting. But they all still cared for her very much.
Madge narrowed her gaze, then sighed. “My daughter isn’t speaking to me.”
Now that was a surprise. She’d never figured Harper would be the disloyal type. “She’s not?”
“I called her last week and then yesterday. Both times, no response.” Madge’s mouth tightened. “The nerve of that child.”
“She isn’t exactly a child, Madge.”
Madge’s chin lifted. “She’s acting like one.”
Erma walked around from the back of the counter. “Let’s get a cup of coffee,” she said. “Anita keeps us well stocked.”
“I really don’t have time—”
“Please,” Erma said, touching her arm. “You can spare a few minutes for a friend.”
Madge paused, then nodded.
A few moments later they sat on the bright-green sofa in the back of Knots and Tangles. Riley was having lunch with Hayden, as she usually did if the store wasn’t busy or she wasn’t in the middle of one of her art projects or dyeing yarn. Erma and Madge had the whole shop to themselves, and Erma was glad they did. “Tell me what’s going on.”
Madge took a sip of her coffee. “Don and I are getting a divorce.”
“Oh.” The news wasn’t that surprising, but the blunt way Madge delivered it sure was. Although Erma had only met Don a handful of times due to him often being out of town for his job, and he was quite friendly and charming each time, she’d sensed not everything was well between the two of them. Since Madge rarely brought him up in conversation, the BBs didn’t either.
Maybe we should have.
“I need to inform Harper,” Madge continued. “But I can’t do that if she doesn’t answer her phone.”
“Why not meet her at her office?”
Madge rolled her eyes. “I shouldn’t have to chase down my own daughter.”
Erma was rarely at a loss for words, but this time was an exception. When Madge didn’t say anything else, she couldn’t remain silent. “Don’t you think you should in this case?”
“A phone call is sufficient.” Madge set her cup on the coffee table. “I appreciate your concern, but like I said, I have a lot of things to do. I’m meeting with a Realtor later today to discuss putting the house on the market.”
“You’re not using Harper?”
“I didn’t think it was appropriate for her to sell the house she grew up in.”
“Right.” Erma winced. “Should have thought about that.”
“I also have an appointment with my lawyer next Tuesday morning to hammer out details of the divorce. Don and his attorney will be there too. We’ll be discussing the assessment and distribution of our assets.”
Bothered by how clinical Madge sounded, Erma said, “Is there anything we can do to help?”
Madge rose from the couch. “No help needed. I’ll be fine. This has been a long time coming. I should have left him years ago.” She headed for the back exit to the small parking lot behind the store. “If you see Harper, tell her to call her mother.”
“Madge—”
But she was already out the door.
Erma dropped back onto the couch. Oh, this wasn’t good. Divorce, even when it was mutual, was never pretty.Fortunately, she’d never experienced it herself. Her parents’ marriage had been good, and her own marriage to Gus was wonderful until his untimely death. She wished Madge wouldn’t try to go through something so traumatic by herself. But the woman could be stubborn, and all Erma could do was pray she would change her mind and lean on her friends.
The bell rang above the front door. By the time Erma got up from the couch, Riley had entered the room. “Hey, Mimi...” She paused. “What’s wrong?”
