Alex laughed. “First of all, you’re not a spinster. You’re a divorcee, and you have a kid. Second, you’re not old. Third, why do you need to stay here? Maybe this is the push you need to finally move out. Find a place for you and the kidlet.”
“It’s a lot more complicated than that.” I slid from the table and brushed off my butt. “Sam still needs me to help him run the farm and the stand. We’re doing pretty well, but not good enough to support two households yet. To get my own place, I’d need a job. And if I get a job, I can’t help Sam. See what I mean? Complicated.”
“Only if you let it be.” Alex rubbed my shoulder. “Keep an open mind. Maybe something’ll pop up. Someone who’d be willing to rent to you cheap. Are you really going to be comfortable living with Sam and Meghan after they get married and start popping out the bambinos?”
“No. But I’ll burn that bridge when I get there.”
“Hmmm.” Alex studied me, and the gleam I caught in his eye sent a shiver down my spine.
“Hmmm what? I don’t like the look you’re giving me.”
“Who, me?” He hooked a thumb at his chest and widened his eyes, trying to look innocent. “I was just thinking . . . that if you hooked a hottie and found your own HEA, maybe this wouldn’t be so . . . what did you say? Complicated.”
I patted his cheek. “You’re so cute when you’re delusional. Not going to happen, my friend. No hotties in the town of Burton. Well, one right now, standing in front of me, clearly.” I amended my words in a hurry when Alex cocked one eyebrow at me. “But none who’d be interested in me.”
“You have no idea, Ali Baba.” The grin he shot me was so sweet, I didn’t even swat him for using the nickname he’d given me when we were in grade school.
“Ha. How would you know, anyway? You don’t even live here anymore.”
“True, but I still keep my finger on the pulse, slow as it beats here in Hicksville. For instance, I happen to know that Mason Wallace is back in town.”
I shook my head. “Of course you do. We were at his bar last summer, with Meghan.”
“Right, but have you seen him? My mother tells me he’s single again, and I can see the two of you together.”
“Alex, he’s single again because his wife died. And he has a kid. I doubt he’s looking for a good time. Plus, he was in Sam’s class. He’s old.”
My friend rolled his eyes. “May I point out, my dear, that you too have a child? Maybe that’s what makes it a good match. Yours, his . . .” He squinted. “And yours, take two.”
“I’m not looking to be the next Brady bunch, thanks. I’ve got my hands full with Bridge. I don’t need to deal with some guy’s broken heart and his kid, too.”
“Okay, fine. Well . . . there’s got to be some decent talent in town.” He stood, hooked an elbow around my neck and hauled me in for a quick hug. “Tell you what. Go out with me tonight. We’ll get drinks and dance at Mason’s bar, and you can flirt with the good old boys until you find one who lights your fire.”
“Hmmm.” I pursed my lips, considering. “I do happen to have a free night. Bridget’s at her friend’s house for the weekend. Meghan’s on her way to the farm, and she promised to make dinner. I doubt she and Sam’d be unhappy if I gave them the house to themselves.”
“Then it’s a date. I’ll pick you up at eight. Don’t be late.” Alex rubbed a knuckle on my hair. “See how I did that there, with the rhyming?”
“Yeah, real original, buddy.” I pushed away from the table. “Okay, go home and see your mama. I need to get ready to close up. Text me tonight when you’re heading my way.”
“You got it.” He blew me a kiss as he walked backward toward his car. “Dress slutty. Remember, you’re looking for a man. You’re on the prowl. You’re—”
“Oh, get gone already, won’t you?” I yelled. He was still laughing when he climbed into the Porsche and drove away.
I began to pull the covers over produce tables in preparation for closing up. It was still cool enough outside that we didn’t have to move anything into refrigeration. Once the fruit was protected, I closed and locked the non-perishable cases, emptied the cash drawer and turned the key on the register.
Just before I was about to do my final walk-through—not that I needed it, but because I knew my brother would ask if I did—I heard another car pulling up. Since I was out of sight of the parking area, I stomped my foot and growled.
“Shit and boiling bollocks. Can’t these people come when I need them, not when I’m about to go home?”
“I heard that.” Meghan’s red head poked around the corner of the wall. “Lucky I’m not a paying customer.”
I grinned. “Yup, and if you tell Sam what I said, I’ll send Bridget in to have sleepovers with you every weekend.”
Her eyes widened, and she clapped her hand over her heart. “As God is my witness, he’ll never hear it from me.”
“What, you don’t like my kid? She adores her Auntie Megs.”
“And I love her to pieces. But I have limited time with her uncle, and I like to make the best of it.” A smile curled her lips, and I wondered what she might be remembering. Or maybe I didn’t want to know.
