Page 38 of The Handy Men
"We thought we'd welcome them and give them some suggestions on places to visit in the area."
"Ah," Paige said after taking a large gulp. "You're my concierge staff. I've got a folder for each room on all the local attractions."
"We have our own special places that we'd like to share with the guests."
That was fine with her. "What’s on the approved list?”
"Well, there's Caillie's pottery shop, of course."
"Of course."
"Ester's yarn shop, Douglas's nautical museum." Her mother ticked off places on her fingers. "Rick's chocolate shop."
"Good choices. I think we can hand them the cards with the fishing and tour boats as well. Later on in the summer, I heard the Jeffersons will be offering parasailing."
Her mother shuddered. "Not for me."
Paige had to agree with her.
"Everything looks in order," her father grunted, and closed the laptop with a snap. He dug into his cold dinner with enthusiasm, waving her off when she offered to warm it up.
"Don't you get lonely in this big old house by yourself?" her mother asked, taking their plate into the kitchen.
Paige followed her. "No, I love it here. I've got my friends to keep me company, and I've been keeping busy."
"Have you talked to Fred lately?"
"No. He keeps sending me emails, though. Someone…” Paige glared at her mother. “Gave him my new email address. I can't be bothered to respond."
Her mother tsked. "Don't burn any bridges. He's very well connected. You could go far with any recommendations he sends your way."
"I'm not going to be beholden to him." Paige crossed her arms and leaned a hip on her kitchen counter. Her mother washed their dishes by hand instead of stacking them into the dishwasher.
"I think you're taking a lot on yourself. You should hire a cook."
"Maybe next year. I want to settle my debts first."
Her mother gave her an arch look. "You don't have to rush to pay us off."
Yeah, I do. "I want to make sure I'm self-sufficient."
"You will be. As long as you stay away from scandal."
Paige rolled her eyes so hard she nearly knocked herself out. "I was waiting for this conversation. So what's the latest gossip that Caillie has poured in your ears?"
"She says those men you've hired to work on your house have an illegitimate son."
"Not that it's anyone's business, but the paternity tests haven't come back yet. Besides, it's not illegal to have a child out of wedlock. Nor is it illegal to date two men at the same time."
"It is if they're married," her mother hissed.
"No, it's not." Paige drained her wine in three large swallows.
"It's not right. The three of you doing such things. They're married and you're a divorcée."
"I don't care what people think."
"It's one thing if it's done discreetly, but with the entire town talking about it, your guests are bound to feel uncomfortable."
