“Who else was there this morning?”
My hand paused, floating over the sandwich on my plate. The smile flashing my way might have looked innocent to anyone else, but I’d known this woman for thirty years. The mischievous glint in her dark eyes was as clear as day to me. She was up to something.
Still all innocence, Ruth asked, “Did you run into anyone interesting?”
“Like who?”
“I dunno.” She nibbled her biscuit. “The lovely Dr. Hughes, perhaps?”
“Have you been gossiping with one of yourfriendsfrom the church?”
“Maybe.”
“So… yes.”
She grinned. “I’m sure Yolanda will have an interesting update about what’s been happening in town when she stops by for a coffee tomorrow.”
“It’ll be a quick update. I talked to Lo—Dr. Hughesfor all of one minute.”
“What did you talk about?”
“Jam.”
“Sure.” Ruth scoffed a laugh.“Jam.”
Frustrated by the direction the conversation was heading in, I dragged my palm down my face. “Look, Lola bought one of those tiny bloody jars Rose sells at the markets. Strawberry, if I remember correctly.”
“Uh-huh.”
“She did.”
“Are wereallystill pretending you haven’t been raving about this woman for weeks?”
I grunted. Yeah, we were going to keep pretending that. Hunching over the table, I picked up my sandwich and took a huge bite. The more occupied my mouth was, the less likely I was to admit something stupid.
“Let’s see.” Ruth tapped her chin as she listed all the dumb things I must have gushed without realising. “Lola loves reading. She cooks. Bakes. Oh, butnotcaramel. She’s interested in growing her own herbs. And she must love the colour pink because she wears it so often.”
I swallowed a hunk of sandwich and ground out, “That proves nothing.”
“And when I asked you if she was pretty—”
“I didn’t say one damn word.”
“You didn’t need to. Your face didallthe talking. Your ears were redder than a fire truck!”
I sank lower on the chair as heat boiled up my neck. I had a feeling my face—and my stupid ears—had betrayed me all over again.
“Have you asked her out yet?” Ruth nudged.
“No.”
“When—”
“Never.”
“Aiden—”
“This conversation is over, Ruthie girl. I love you. I do. But please don’t interfere in this. Tell your friends from the church to back off, too. Lola and me…”
