Chapter Six
The following morning, Jillian placed a coffee cup in the dishwasher. It was her usual Tuesday breakfast at her mother’s house. She wasn’t sure how the tradition had started, but they’d been doing it for years now. They were both so busy that this weekly breakfast was the one time they could catch up over coffee, eggs, and bagels. Jillian’s diet always took a hit, but she knew how much her mother looked forward to the time together.
“Did you get it yet?”
Jillian straightened and turned to her mother. She had absolutely no idea what her mother was talking about. She could only assume she’d forgotten something for the shop’s grand opening week. She just hoped whatever it was that it wasn’t too late to rectify. “Did I get what?”
“Your dress.”
“Dress?” She wasn’t wearing a dress to work, not even for the grand opening of Tangled Charms.
Her mother nodded. “You know, for the wedding.” When Jillian continued to send her mother a puzzled look, her mother added, “Surely you didn’t forget your cousin’s wedding? It’s this weekend.”
“Oh.” Truthfully, she had forgotten about it. She told herself it was all of the last-minute details for the grand opening that had her distracted, but if she was honest with herself, she didn’t want to think about the wedding.
Everyone she knew seemed to be getting married or having babies. And then there was her. The one big disappointment to her mother. She had no man in her life. And no chance of giving her mother a grandbaby. She didn’t even have so much as a dog, cat, or goldfish. There was just her. And her mother routinely fussed over her bare ring finger.
Her mother ran the dishcloth over the table. “I take it by your response that you forgot about the wedding.”
“Something like that.”
“I figured that would happen so I RSVP’d for you. And I included a plus one for you.”
“But I don’t have anyone to go with me.”
“You could always ask Glenn.”
“We broke up.”
Her mother frowned. “I know you did. But why? He seemed so nice.”
“I don’t want to talk about it.” It didn’t matter what she said, it wouldn’t erase her mother’s disappointment. “I can just go by myself—”
“No. That won’t work. We don’t want you going all by yourself when all of your friends will be with their significant others. I’ll check and see if one of my friends’ single sons will escort you—”
“No. Don’t.”
Her mother arched a perfectly plucked brow. “Does that mean you have someone special in mind?”
Panic jumbled her thoughts. She just couldn’t have her mother planning out her love life. Once her mother started, she wouldn’t stop. So far, Jillian had managed on her own. “Yes, I do.”
The worry lines etching her mother’s face smoothed. “That’s wonderful. Who is it?”
“I’m not telling you because I haven’t asked him yet.” She didn’t even know who the ‘him’ would be.
Her mother’s whole demeanor became more amenable. “You check with your friend and see if he’s available. I’ll need to know as soon as possible. If your idea doesn’t work, I’ll call my friends.” Her mother glanced at the clock. “Well, I better get moving. I don’t want to be late for work.”
Jillian hustled out the door. She was in serious trouble. If she didn’t come up with her own date, her mother would take it upon herself to make sure she had an escort. It was her mother’s mission to make sure Jillian had a happy, fulfilled life like she’d had with Jillian’s father until a massive heart attack stole him away.
Jillian didn’t have a clue where she’d find a date for the wedding, but there had to be some guy around Marietta who wouldn’t mind some free food and dancing. Right?
It had warmed up since yesterday, melting the snow. Jillian decided it was a good day to walk to work. She was surprised to find how many Marietta residents were out and about. She smiled and waved hello to everyone she passed. She inquired about the health of some and thanked others for their kind words about Tangled Charms.
She also passed some of Marietta’s good-looking men. There was Cormac Sheehan. Definitely a fine-looking man, but taken. And then she passed by Jasper Flint, another Marietta man who was off the market. Where were all of the single guys this morning?
Probably hiding because they’d heard that her mother was out to set her up on a date. Jillian couldn’t blame them. In her experience, being set up on a date was the worst. There had to be one man who was gallant enough to ride to her rescue. But who?
By the time Jillian entered the shop, she was frowning. She hadn’t thought of any candidates. All she’d succeeded in doing was giving herself a headache.
“Good morning.” Suzanna’s face lit up with a smile.
“Morning.” Jillian rubbed her forehead.
“Whoa. What’s wrong with you?”
“My mother.”
“What has she done now?”
Jillian held up a finger to get Suzanna to wait. She headed straight for the coffee pot and poured herself a cup. Then she rummaged around in her purse until she found a bottle of painkillers. She popped a couple aspirin in her mouth and swallowed them down with coffee. She choked, realizing that she’d forgotten the milk and sweetener.
Her mind was scattered. As the years passed by, her mother was getting more assertive about finding Jillian a husband. She didn’t actually say husband, but Jillian knew it was her mother’s ultimate goal.
“Are you okay?” Suzanna sent her a concerned look.
“Just forgot the sweetener.” Jillian checked to make sure they were alone. “My mother is trying to set me up, again.”
Suzanna got a big grin on her face.
“This isn’t funny,” Jillian ground out.
Suzanna struggled to maintain a straight face, but the amusement reflected in her green eyes. “And who’s the lucky guy?”
“I don’t think she cares as long as I have a date in time for my cousin’s wedding.”
“Oh. I see.” Suzanna turned the closed sign in the window to open.
“Why are you so amused by all of this? If your mother were to do this to you, I don’t think you’d be amused at all.”
“True. But thankfully my mother is remarried and living in Seattle. I think I’m pretty safe from her meddling.” Suzanna moved behind the jewelry counter and started to switch on all of the display lights. “What are you going to do?”
“I don’t know. Would you believe my mother has me so worried over what she might do that I evaluated every man I passed on the way to work for their dating qualifications.”
“And did you find any potential dates?”
“No. They were either too old or too young or too married.”
“What about Avery—”
“No!” Jillian glowered at her best friend.
“But—”
“Suzanna, you of all people know that he’s completely off limits to me.”
“Listen, I know he hurt you, but I thought you said you were past it.”
“I am. That’s why I don’t want to ask him on a date.”
“Who said it has to be a real date? Couldn’t it just be two friends hanging out together?”
“Really?” Jillian sent her a disbelieving look. “At a wedding, with my mother and the rest of my family? How’s that going to work?”
Suzanna shrugged. “Well, I’m out of ideas. Let me know who you come up with.”
This was just great. Not even her best friend could think of a respectable date for her. Because she was never ever going to walk up to Avery and ask him to be her plus one to this wedding. There had to be a better solution. She just had to give it some more thought.
*
He was bored.
How was that possible?
Not so long ago, there weren’t enough hours in the day for everything he needed to accomplish. Now the house was empty, but his knee refused to cooperate so that he could work at the Crooked S. Other than physical therapy a few mornings a week, he had absolutely no pressing matters. For the first time in forever, he could do as he pleased.
Avery stared at the kitchen wall where he’d just finished removing the ivory tile backsplash that had been there all of his life. It was in desperate need of updating. In fact, the whole kitchen needed updating, including the floor.
He wasn’t supposed to be standing on his leg for long stretches, but he at least wanted to get the backsplash installed. When he’d been home previously, he’d painted the walls from a sunny yellow to a muted mossy green with white trim. The new stainless steel appliances were ordered. It’d taken him nearly a year now, but soon the whole house would be remodeled.
The thought of selling the house had crossed his mind, but just as quickly, he dismissed it. The house was the last tangible connection to his parents. And as he’d already played a part in his parents’ death, he wouldn’t take anything else from his siblings. After fixing the house up, he could wash his hands of it and hand it over to his sister.
“Murr…” Marshmallow strolled into the kitchen. She sat down next to the kitchen table and let out a big yawn.
Avery smiled and shook his head. “It looks like you had a rough day.”
She walked over to him and rubbed against his legs. He bent over and scratched behind her ear. “Is this your way of letting me know it’s dinnertime?”
She glanced up at him and murred.
Avery checked the clock to find out that it was well past dinnertime. He grabbed a tin of cat food from under the counter. In no time, Marshmallow was devouring her meal.
Just then his phone rang. His first thought was that it was Jillian. At last, she’d decided to give him an answer. He knew he’d just asked her the day before, but if she wouldn’t help him, he had to find someone who would mentor him. So far, he hadn’t come up with any possibilities.
He pressed a button on his phone. Before he could get a word out, he heard Beth say, “Did you ask her?”
No hello or any other sort of greeting from his sister. It was typical for him to feel as though he’d just stepped into the middle of a conversation when Beth got excited about something.
Ever since his younger sister went off to college, she made it a point to keep tabs on him. It was as though their roles had been reversed. And then there was his brother who took off for the military and rarely phoned home.
Avery knew what his sister was asking—if he’d talked to Jillian about the Bake-Off. He hesitated, not liking being pushed.
“Avery?” Beth’s tone held a note of impatience. “You did ask Jillian to help you, didn’t you?”
He inhaled a deep breath and counted to five before he answered. “I did.”
“And?”
Marshmallow finished eating and jumped up on the table. She wasn’t allowed up there, but just like Beth, the cat didn’t listen to him all that often. The cat head-butted his hand until he started to pet her. And then a loud purr emanated from her.
He turned his attention back to the other insistent female in his life. “Did anyone ever accuse you of being pushy?”
“Yes. You. Now spill. What did she say?”
“Nothing.” He hadn’t heard a word from Jillian since he’d asked her to help him. He took the silence as her answer. She’d done enough for his family and she didn’t want to do any more.
“What do you mean nothing? She had to say something.”
He raked his fingers through his hair. “Beth, would you quit pushing this? Besides, I’m the big brother; I’m the one who is supposed to be asking the questions. So how are classes going?”
“Don’t change the subject. What did Jillian say?”
He might as well answer her, because he knew Beth wouldn’t let up until he did. “She said she needed to think about it.”
“And when was this?”
“Really? You’re going to keep grilling me?”
“Yes,” Beth said matter-of-factly. “When did you speak to her?”
“Yesterday. Now I’m done answering your questions,” he grouched. At that point, Marshmallow decided to make a quick exit. Perhaps his voice had been a bit harsh. He made a point of speaking in a less hostile tone. “Don’t you have a test to study for or some such thing?”
“Actually, I just finished. I’m walking back to my dorm room from the library.” She paused as though she’d just thought of something.
Avery inwardly groaned. It’d been a long day and he just wasn’t up for more. “I should let you go—”
“I could speak to Jillian for you. You know, put in a good word—”
“No.” When he didn’t hear a response, he said, “Beth, don’t you dare interfere. You do realize that I’m an adult, right?”
“But I also know you’re not so good with the women—”
“Hey! We aren’t talking about my dating life. I only asked Jillian to teach me to bake. That is all. And don’t you dare go and get any ideas. I have too much going on in my life. I don’t want a girlfriend.”
“You always have an excuse not to get serious with anyone. Before it was because you had Jordan and me to raise. But now we’re out on our own. You don’t have any more excuses.”
“Beth…”
“If you don’t ask Jillian again, I will.” There was a slight pause. “Or better yet, I’ll drive home and teach you myself.”
“No. You have school.”
“I can make arrangements.”
“No.” When she didn’t say anything, he worried that she’d totally ignored him and was already hatching some plan that would involve her missing classes. There was only one way to stop her and she probably knew it. Still, the responsible part of him forced him to sacrifice his pride for his sister’s welfare. “You don’t need to come home. I will speak to Jillian again.”
“Good.” There was a muffled sound and then the murmur of voices. “Hey, Avery, I’ve got to go.”
After they disconnected the call, he shook his head. His little sister knew exactly how to manipulate him and he fell for it every time. Still, the thought of speaking to Jillian again wasn’t as bad as he was making it out to be. He enjoyed her company and he found her absence around the house was quite noticeable.