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I loved her so much.
“What can I do?”
“Get those cheese scones in the oven.People will be wanting their midmorning coffee and treat before you know it!”
I lost myself in the rhythm of baking for a few wonderful hours.To her credit, Aunt Laurie waited a whole thirty minutes before asking if I’d seen Rick on my outing yesterday evening.
I gave her the quick version.“And then he said goodnight.”
I couldn’t breathe, standing there so close to him, wondering if he’d kiss me.But I can’t get into anything.Not that I want to.
I wasn’t sure who I was trying to convince anymore.My aunt?Myself?
She just nodded, and wordlessly went back to basting scones.
Around one o’clock, the doorbell tinkled and Jenny walked in, Toby toddling ahead of her, wearing a little dinosaur backpack with reins that attached to a handle in Jenny’s left hand.
“Hi!”I enthused, delighted to see my new friend.
“Hey there.”She scooped Toby up.“Say hi to Aunt Maddie, baby boy!”
Toby gurgled, “Add!”and held out his chubby little arms.He really was gorgeous.
“Got any of the rainbow sprinkle sugar cookies left?”Jenny wanted to know.
I slid one out of the tray with tongs.“Kept this one back special, just for you.”
He grinned, showing half a mouth of shiny white baby teeth.
“And a coffee, please,” Jenny added.“And maybe a chat?About adult things?Literally any adult things.If you’re allowed on break, that is.”
I slid my gaze towards my aunt.
“Go on with you,” she huffed, but I knew she was only pretending to be annoyed.
I snagged myself a bottle of water and a granola bar stuffed with cherries and almonds, and followed Jenny out into the sunshine.A few little tables were set up on the pavement for customers and we seated ourselves at one.On his mother’s lap, Toby attacked the colourful cookie, sending a rainbow of sprinkles flying everywhere except into his mouth.
“I had fun with you yesterday,” Jenny began.“I needed it.”
Aunt Laurie arrived with Jenny’s coffee, and she smiled up at my aunt.
“You’re an angel.”
“Oh, honey, I know I am,” Aunt Laurie sassed, before disappearing back inside.
Jenny lifted the cup to her lips.“Thank God for caffeine.”
“Same.”
“Well, it’s good to know that you Brits are as addicted as we are.”She dug in her huge bag, stuffed into the basket of the stroller, and plucked out a little plastic puzzle thing, handing it to Toby, who squealed in delight.“Anyway, thanks for last night.Most of my pre-mom friends have moved away from Redwing Falls, and as we’re still a small Southern town at heart, there were a few, shall we say,ruffled featherswhen I returned as a single parent.”
“In this day and age?”I asked.
“Prejudice is alive and well, my friend.”Jenny took another sip of coffee.“Don’t get me wrong, most folk were lovely, and, it’s gotten much better recently.The gossips always move on to something else, eventually.”
“We have that in common with the US, too.Although in London I’m kinda immune to that, thankfully.Big city and all that.”
“Amen to anonymity,” Jenny enthused.“But Jess and I are tight, and I’m so glad you came, too.I’m glad that we hit it off.I wish I could keep you.”
