“I didn’t need to. She fed me a line about love, and asked if I loved her.”
“Let me guess. You said you like her but don’t love her.”
“Of course. Who falls in love after six weeks?” Except Grandpop and Caroline. Blake made a face.
“So she broke up with you.”
“Saved me from doing it. She quit the job, too.”
“I’d be so relieved.”
“I am. Anyway, this morning I found a dozen or so applications she hadn’t done anything with—another reason I don’t mind that she quit.”
“Wow. There are times when it’s good to be a serial monogamist.”
“Is that what I am? I don’t stay with anyone long enough to fit that description.”
“What do you call it?”
“Playing the field and enjoying myself.” Safer that way. “You’re not exactly a long-term relationship guy yourself.”
“Not now, but I’m thinking about it. I’ll be thirty in two years and want to get married and have a family.”
“Where’s that coming from?”
Ross shrugged. “I met this girl, Britt, at Bain’s when I needed a new tent for a hiking and camping trip this summer. We’ve been going out a lot. I really like her. You’re already thirty. Don’t you want to settle down?”
“Depends.”
“On what?”
Blake hadn’t figured that out yet and didn’t want to discuss it. He handed over a folder of the job applications. “Take a look at these and see what you think. Some might work out, others not. You’ll want to contact each applicant and set up meetings. Are you comfortable with interviewing people?”
“I can do that. When do you want the interviews to happen?”
“If possible, Monday morning. It’ll be noisy here, with the construction crew working, but you can meet at Hastings for coffee. There’s one a few miles south. If anyone seems interested and wants to see this place, feel free to bring them by. I’ll be here.”
“Sounds good.” They talked about money and Ross agreed to show up the following Monday at nine. They shook on it. “I appreciate this,” Ross said and left.
That done, Blake texted Vi.Can you meet me here at the new store midmorning tomorrow to brainstorm?He gave her the address. The contractor didn’t work weekends, and he wanted to show her around.
She replied right away.I’d like to see your new store. Around 10? Funny, a few minutes ago an idea popped into my head about the marriage situation. It’ll take me about 20 minutes to get there.
So far, he’d drawn a blank and was eager to hear what she’d come up with. Whatever it was, it’d be a good place to start. Surely between the two of them, they’d come up with something to keep the grandparents from doing what they might regret.
CHAPTER 6
Saturday night, Vi was supposed to meet her bestie, Carmie, at the Majestic, a dine-in movie theater, to see a new film. But there was so much to talk about, they changed their get-together to The Come on In, a blue-collar diner Blake had mentioned the other night, some five miles south of the 709.
The cafe was crowded, but Carmie had arrived a few minutes earlier and put their name on the wait list. Meanwhile, they huddled on a bench outside, bundled up because in early April nights tended to be chilly.
“I didn’t have time for lunch today, and I’m really hungry,” Carmie said. “You wouldn’t believe how busy we were.” She worked for Port Simms Apartment Rentals. “It’s like this every spring. What’s so important that you traded a movie and dinner night to talk?”
Vi was about to tell her everything when the hostess paged them that their table was ready. “Let’s order first, then talk,” she said when they were seated. “I know what I want—a burger with cheese, onion rings, and a glass of shiraz. It goes well with burgers.”
“A great pairing,” Carmie agreed. Then laughed. “We sound so sophisticated.”
Vi grinned. “Well, of course.”
