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Chapter 29
Mandy spent time researching business plans. She had people she could ask, but wanted to try and get things started herself. Having never done anything like this before, it was tough to work out a starting point, but the internet had plenty of information.
It took her a few days, but eventually she had what she thought was a comprehensive picture of where she saw the business going. Prospective earnings, plus outgoings. She’d also worked out extensive costings for the renovations and equipment she would need to purchase.
This morning, she’d rung Joe Trainer and asked if she could talk to him about what she’d written. He’d said yes, so she was heading there soon.
“Joe’s a good man,” Aunt Marla said. She still limped a bit. “Between him and Ted, you’ve got all the business knowledge you need.”
She didn’t say that she hadn’t spoken to Ted, and that she didn’t plan to.
“You are going to speak to Ted, aren’t you, dear?” Aunt Sarah asked.
Her aunts were dusting shelves in Tea Total. The prize collection of tea pots actually, that they’d got from their travels.
“Of course,” she said. “I’ll talk to Joe first though. But before I do, I need to make sure you’re both happy about this. I don’t want to force you into anything.”
“Mandy, we’ve been waiting for years to see this change in you. We love it and will back you in anything you choose to do,” Aunt Marla said.
“Thank you.”
“I love that dress too, by the way.”
Looking down at the skirt, Mandy thought she liked it too. Rory had picked it. The color was the palest rose, and it was a wrap dress with a ruffle hem that sat a few inches above her knees. She wore flat white slides with it.
“You look lovely, dear,” Aunt Sarah said. “Is there anything you want to tell us?”
“About what?” Mandy was loading all her papers into the folder she was taking to see Joe.
“About Ted.”
She dropped it, and the papers went everywhere.
“I—ah, pardon?” Dropping to her knees, she started gathering them up.
“By that reaction, I’d say there is definitely something between you and Ted Hosking,” Aunt Marla said.
“No.” She kept her head down.
“He’s a lovely man.”
“We’re different.”
“And therefore?” Aunt Sarah asked.
“And therefore, we’re different,” Mandy said, getting back to her feet. “He lives in a different world from me.”
“In Ryker Falls, five minutes from where you live,” Aunt Marla added. “Don’t put up barriers where none are needed, Mandy. Ted is a good man and he likes you.”
“You don’t know that.” Mandy knew he liked her, they wouldn’t have done what they had if he didn’t. But like was vastly different from the other emotion people shared.
“Yes, we do. I can see it every time he looks at you,” Aunt Marla said.
“I have to go.”
“Very well but think about what we’ve said. Ted Hosking is a good man,” Aunt Sarah said.
Mandy didn’t reply to that; she left… quickly.
