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“Call me Mrs. L. Everyone else does.”
“Thanks.”
“Could you change this bulb for me? I asked Mandy, but she was busy moving. Not sure what’s got into that girl. First Jack, and now her.” Mrs. L. look annoyed.
She blinked rapidly, and Ted noted she had diamantés on her long fake lashes.
“Are they hard to wear?”
“Sometimes I get stuff caught in them, and they wake up looking a bit wild, especially after a few sherries. But after a brush—”
“You brush them?” Ted leaned closer for a look.
“Yup, it makes them spread out.” She blinked several times.
“Hell of a draft you’re creating.”
She punched him in the arm.
“So what have Jack and Mandy done to annoy you?” Ted entered the shop that was crammed full of knickknacks. He’d never been asked to change a lightbulb in here before, like Jack often was. He felt like it was a defining moment in being accepted in Ryker Falls.
“Mandy always helped anytime I needed her, as did Jack. But he has Rory, and she’s… well, she’s changing.”
“In what way?” He took the bulb and climbed the ladder.
“She’s just different. I saw her walking the other day, wearing exercise clothes.”
She said it as if Mandy had streaked down Main Street naked. Not that Ted would mind, as long as only he was watching.
“I heard she was even dancing at A.S. And singing with her aunt too.”
“Actually, what she’s doing is becoming independent, Mrs. L. It’s a good thing. Mandy has been shy and living in the shadows her entire life. Now she’s trying to step into the light. You should cut her a break. In fact, you should try helping her with this change, because it can’t be easy on her,” he said in a gentle tone.
“Oh, well—” Mrs. L. sighed loudly. “I’m selfish, aren’t I?”
“A bit.” He followed the words with a smile. “But change is never easy on anyone, and I’ll change your bulbs if you need it.”
She returned his smile. “You’re a good man, Ted Hosking, no matter what anyone says different.”
“What do they say?” He was curious. It didn’t bother him too much what people thought of him. Okay, maybe a bit. But after what Jack and Mandy had said, he knew there was room for improvement.
“Oh well… maybe I mean—”
“Come on, I can take it.” He waved her on.
“You’re a hardass and not terribly easy to converse with. Plus, you have more money than anyone needs. There’s also that arrogant streak… so they say,” Mrs. L. added.
“Don’t you hold back now, Mrs. L. On account of my feelings getting hurt, I mean.”
She barked out a laugh, then sucked in her lips. The lines around her face flattened out, making her look younger.
“What else you got?”
“I’m helping make you a better man, Ted. This is my way of showing support.” Her smile was sly.
This time it was him who laughed.
“I’ll let you in on secret, Mrs. L. Most of what you said about me is true.”
