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In fact, why stop there? She sat up straight, knowing she’d just hit on the perfect plan to show Cherry Lake once and for all that Ethan Nash was a good guy and, more to the point, his dogs were awesome.
She’d seen all Ethan’s equipment. They could take some of it, set it up at the festival and show everyone exactly how awesome his dogs were. It would be great!
She quickly jotted down some notes, but she knew in her heart this was exactly what Ethan needed.
“Knock, knock,” came a familiar voice at the door.
Aunt Pansy. And Grandfather?
No.
Carrie wasn’t sure if she was relieved or disappointed.
“What did you bring me this time?” she asked, ushering the woman inside.
“Congratulations and felicitations.”
“Oh yes? That sounds promising.” Unlikely, but a good chat with Pansy usually lifted her spirits.
“And a bear claw. Give me tea and I’ll tell all.”
They went upstairs to the bright kitchen. Aunt Pansy gave Belinda a thorough cheek scratch while Carrie put the kettle on.
“So Gibson Kyle is no longer your friend,” said Pansy.
Carrie laughed. “Was he ever?” Then she sobered. “I liked Bethany, though.”
Carrie understood all too well how the girl’s upbringing had shackled her. She realized yet again that her time in San Francisco, difficult as it had been, had taught her a great deal she might never have learned otherwise. Would a girl like Bethany ever have that chance?
“Congratulations again, my dear girl. I’d say that took some serious intestinal fortitude.”
“I guess I was in a mood.”
“I happened to be walking past their house last night and heard quite the ruckus,” continued Pansy. “Seems Bethany wasn’t happy with her daddy. Took exception to his story about you, in fact.”
Carrie poured the tea. “You have a gift for happening onto things, don’t you?”
Pansy preened. “I use what gifts I have. I couldn’t hear the particulars, but fortunately, someone had left a rake on the lawn. So I, being a good neighbor, brought it to the house.”
“You’re shameless.”
“You should try it.” Pansy sipped her tea and nodded with satisfaction. “That’s when I heard her tell her father that she’d never find another photographer as good as you, she wished she hadn’t listened to him and maybe she was going to hire you back anyway. He said not on his dime and that’s when I dropped the rake and, well, they caught me.”
She wrinkled her nose.
“What?”
Pansy chuckled. “I know, right? Has she called?”
Carrie shook her head. Getting that contract back would be a huge boost, but she wasn’t holding her breath. Bethany wasn’t about to jeopardize her fantasy wedding over something like this.
But it was heartening, nevertheless.
“Hey, Aunt Pan,” she said, steeling herself to sound casual. “Do you know anything about Grandpa Nate and the old Lewis farmstead? Ethan heard that it had some sort of sentimental value to him. Is he upset that Nathan tore it down?”
Pansy’s face softened. “Oh, honey. I know how you’re hurting about Nate. Are you okay?”
Carrie nodded, unsure if she could speak.
“He’ll come around. As far as that property goes, everything around here has sentimental value to someone. That house is where his wife, your grandma, grew up. I thought you knew.”
Carrie cleared her throat. “I thought Uncle Robert and Aunt Linda lived on the old farmstead.”
“Sure, now,” said Pansy. “But before that, long before your grandparents were even married, it was two separate properties. Mary Lewis and her family lived on the part that Mr. Nash bought.”
She sighed, as if lost in memories.
“Did you know her?” asked Carrie. “My grandmother?
Pansy nodded. “Briefly. We were in high school together. She was a lovely girl. Very different from me, of course. Though for a little while… oh, never mind.” She clapped her hands. “Enough of ancient history.”
Pansy went on to other bits of local gossip, and Carrie let the words flow over her, taking comfort from one person who seemed to think of her as she always had.
