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“Joe,” Mandy sighed. “Just leave it, please. It’s complicated. Plus, after today, I’m not sure I want to go anywhere near Ted Hosking for a while.”
“What did he do?”
“It doesn’t matter.”
“It does if it put that angry look on your face, so let’s hear it.”
What the hell, why not.
“He said he’d guarantee my loan when I told him I wanted to do this alone.”
Joe whistled slowly.
“He really cares for you, Mandy. No way would he have put himself out like that if he didn’t. He’s better than he was, but still has issues dealing with emotion.”
“I can’t believe you just said that.”
“Bailey told me I needed to express myself more. I’m giving it a shot.”
That forced a laugh out of Mandy.
“He had no right to do it, Joe. I told him I didn’t want his money or his help and that I needed to do this alone. But still he went behind my back to the bank.”
“Ted offered to loan you the money?”
She nodded.
“Okay, so that seals it. Man’s a savvy investor and he wouldn’t—”
“The tea shop is a savvy investment,” Mandy protested.
“It’s an emotional investment, and Ted is never emotional when it comes to money. The point I’m trying to make here, Mandy, is that he cares deeply for you.”
She went for, “It’s complicated, Joe.”
“Most things to do with the heart are.” He leaned in and hugged her. “Okay, I’ll leave it alone… for now. If ever you want to talk, I’m here. In fact, your big brother Trainers are all here.”
That made her want to cry. “Thank you, Joe.”
“So.” He released her. “Your aunts are excited about the extension to Tea Total. I talked to them yesterday.”
“They really are, but happy for me to take the lead in what is going to happen,” Mandy said, relieved they were done discussing her and Ted. All that emotion was exhausting.
“They’re enjoying see you change. As are we all.”
“I’m a slow learner, Joe.”
“No. I’d say you learned to be a certain way through circumstance. Change is always hard to achieve. I know, as it took me a while.”
Joe wandered to the window and looked out.
“Why the hell is there a news van rolling down the main street of Ryker?” he added, looking out the window.
Mandy joined him. Behind the news van were two identical black Cadillacs. She watched a photographer snap pictures from the sidewalk.
“I saw that man the other day. He was taking pictures of Ted and the lodge.”
“Are we expecting anyone important? Or is it a bored politician needing a holiday, complete with entourage?”
