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“Yes, I am aware of that, but just keep it in mind.”
“I’m fine, Lee,” she said with a smile my way.
“Hey,” Wes cut in, “they do say that laughter is the best medicine.”
“Yeah, but not when the medicine is for a broken nose.”
Wes grinned with a shrug and looked past me. I glanced over my shoulder as my mother hung up the phone, frowning.
“Problem, Mom?” Wes asked her.
She put her hands on the counter. “Yes, you remember Marie Colsen, right?”
“Yeah, she’s like the town’s organizer for everything, isn’t she?” I replied.
“Yes, that’s her. She just found out that she has stage three ovarian cancer, and she has to undergo surgery immediately and start chemo.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” I said.
“That’s terrible,” Bradley remarked. “She’s a nice lady, a little controlling, but nice.”
My mom compressed her lips as she stared at my brother. “I’m glad you added that she was nice.” She sighed wearily. “She is rather controlling, and that’s how she gets things done so well.”
“I’m sorry to hear that, Mom. Her grandson is in my class. I think he takes after her,” Riley commented with a chuckle.
“Wasn’t she planning the big Valentine’s party at the rec center?” Huntley asked.
She nodded. “Yes, she is the committee chair for that. Now I have to do it, and I have no clue what to do with it. I’m so used to her giving out tasks and just completing what I’m asked to do. I’m not sure how good I will be at filling her shoes.”
“I’m sure you will be fine,” Huntley commented.
She continued to fret for a moment, tapping her fingernails in a rapid cadence on the counter.
“Maybe Roxy can help you,” Riley tossed out, and everyone looked toward Roxanne, who now had the look of a deer in the headlights.
“I’m a wedding planner,” Roxy stated as she scanned all the faces directed her way.
“Yes, but isn’t a wedding just a super fancy expensive party?” Riley asked slyly.
“Kind of,” she squeaked.
“So, you could help plan the party,” Riley continued.
“But I don’t know anything about Valentine’s parties,” Roxy replied.
Charlotte jumped into the conversation. “Valentine’s is all about love, so are weddings.”
I studied Roxy for a minute, then stepped around the corner. “Roxy, can I talk to you for a moment?”
Her eyes locked on mine quickly, and she practically jumped out of her chair to stand. “Yes, of course.”
I led her out of the room, glancing back at the gang who watched us carefully. In the living room, we took a seat, and her gaze skittered around the room as she noticed all the family pictures.
“Sorry about my family,” I said as I took a seat.
She put her hand on mine. “Don’t be. I love them. They’re great.”
“Yes, but they are a force to be reckoned with,” I told her.
