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Before Elizabeth could answer, Gigi’s friend approached.
“Wiladean, the Forsyth looks lovely as always. Though I imagine our grant will help you fix that unsightly water damage.”
As the woman bent in and blew air kisses onto each of Gigi’s cheeks, her gaze was shamelessly pinned on Daniel. Elizabeth slanted a look at her former classmate, who, as much as Elle hated to admit it, was looking particularly good this morning—every tall, lean, darkly handsome inch of him. Who could blame the woman for looking, even if she was old enough to be his grandmother?
Daniel seemed oblivious.
It struck Elizabeth that there was a time when most of polite Savannah society didn’t want anything to do with him. My, how times had changed. This woman was looking at him like she wanted to eat him for breakfast.
“Wiladean, would you like to reschedule?” he asked. “This seems like it’s a bad time.”
“No, Daniel,” Gigi insisted.
“Oh, is this the Daniel Quindlin?” the other woman asked. She sounded a little too coy.
Gigi nodded.
“I’m Angela Stanton.” The woman offered her diamond-laden hand. Daniel shook it. “I’ve heard so much about you, but I haven’t had the pleasure. You are in demand, young man. Perhaps I could schedule a time to talk to you about remodeling my home. I’m right around the corner on Monterey Square. I bought the place after my husband passed away.”
The hungry, grieving widow. Of course.
“Angela, you remodeled six months ago—if that,” Gigi said. “What more could you have to do?”
“It’s a never-ending job, Wiladean,” Angela said. “You of all people should know.” She turned to Elizabeth. “And who is this lovely creature?”
“This is my middle granddaughter, Elizabeth. Elle arrived from Atlanta last night. She surprised us. We’re so happy to have her home. She is going to attend the meeting on my behalf this morning.”
“Aren’t you a pretty thing,” Angela gushed.
“Thank you,” Elle said. She could feel the burn of Daniel’s gaze on her. “It’s nice to meet you, Mrs. Stanton.”
“Are you married?” the woman asked. “If not, the two of you would make a lovely couple. Wouldn’t they make the most beautiful babies, Willa?”
Elle flinched. She hoped her discomfort wasn’t as obvious as it felt. Right about now, she felt beet red at the thought of having beautiful babies with Daniel. She couldn’t even look at him.
“I’m certainly not going to dispute that,” said Gigi. “I’m almost eighty-five years old. At this age, my only goal is for one of my grandgirls to get married and make me a great-Gigi.” She eyed Daniel and Elle. “I have plans for these two.”
For the love of all things mortifying.
Was she kidding?
“Uh-oh, there’s Zelda,” Gigi said. “Daniel, go into the office. Quickly.”
Thank heaven for diversions. Elle nearly crumbled under the awkwardness of her grandmother and Angela talking about mating her and Daniel—the person who was responsible for ruining her marriage—as if they were two show dogs.
For that matter, why was Gigi consorting with the enemy? Even if Angela had said he was in demand as a contractor, it didn’t matter. Builders in this area had to be a dime a dozen. It wasn’t as if they were doing major construction to the inn. She’d talk to Gigi about that later and it would probably be a good idea to have a little talk about boundaries. She had not come home to be fixed up with the guy who had ruined her life.
Gigi stepped in front of Daniel as if her slight frame could hide him. “Go,” she said. “I’ll be along shortly.”
But it was to no avail.
“Daniel?” Zelda said. “What are you doing here this morning?”
Zelda looked pointedly at her mother as if she sensed something was rotten.
“He stopped by to talk about the renovation,” Wiladean said.
“I’ll leave y’all to sort out this matter,” said Angela. “I see Bunny Henry over there and I need to chat with her.” With a flutter of her fingers, gaze scanning the room, Angela disengaged from the conversation.
