Page 90 of Better Off Wed
“Unfortunately,” I blubbered.
“And, what? He’s not in love with you?”
The incredulity in her voice made me pause. I shrugged. “No? He told me to leave.”
“Oh my God.” She rolled her eyes. “He is dumb as a box of rocks.”
“Hey,” I protested weakly.
“Sorry. He’s really great except when he acts like he doesn’t have a brain.”
“If he wanted me to stay, he would’ve told me.”
Caroline clicked her tongue, grabbed me by the arms, and shook me. “Sadie! Get it together! The man ran into a burning building to save three teenagers who thought throwing paint thinner around and then setting it on fire was a good idea! This is the level of people we’re dealing with in thistown! He wouldn’t ask you to stay if he thought you could do better by leaving.”
I reared back. “No. No, he was very clear. He iced me out! He told me that there was no future for me here.”
Caroline gave me a flat look. “Right. Now say that again, but slower.”
There was a long pause as we stared at each other. Finally, I whispered, “Oh.”
My best friend patted me on the head and said, “At least you figured it out in the end.”
“He doesn’t hate me.”
“The man has been obsessed with you since your wedding day. Remember when he chased you into Rock Bottom and threatened to rip Cash’s arms off for touching your hair? Helovesyou, loves you.”
“Well, he could have toldmethat.”
She just laughed.
I started for the door, then stopped. Narrowed my eyes. Turned around to grab my purse, then marched to the exit.
“Where are you going?” Caroline asked. “And do you have protection?”
“Funny,” I said, ushering her out of the shop. “I’m not going to talk to Gideon. I’m going to talk to his grandmother.”
I foundEtta sitting between two giant palms in a sun-drenched corner of her solarium. She greeted me with a smile, then waved at her housekeeper, who brought us coffee and cake on a silvertray.
“You’re here to discuss Life’s a Stitch,” she guessed.
“Yes,” I replied. “I’ll take the lease, but I will decline your generous business offer. Thank you, but I’ve decided to go it alone.”
“I see.” She picked up the delicate china cup and took a sip of coffee. “Have you found another investor?”
“I’m self-funding,” I told her. “I need to leave town for a while to complete a few projects for a client, and then I’ll reopen Life’s a Stitch when I return.”
Her brows jumped. “Ah. Gideon is aware of this plan, I assume.”
“He is,” I hedged. “And that brings me to the other thing I wanted to talk to you about.”
Etta watched me with those piercing blue eyes of hers, shrewd and all-seeing. Her lips curled into a humorless smile. She was a raptor, ready to dive down for the kill. “Go on, dear,” she said in a mild voice. “Tell me what’s on your mind.”
I took a deep breath—and spoke.
Determination wasa strong tailwind that propelled me back into town. I made only one last stop before returning to Life’s a Stitch. It was surprisingly quick but very necessary. Gideon would just have to deal with the consequences.
Once that was done, I continued on my way. I had sewing supplies to pack and a man to confront. Driving down Main Street sent elation floating through me. I loved this town. I loved the shabby vacant shops and the overgrown median. I loved how hard the residents tried to keep things together. I loved theterrible fair and the devil geese. I loved the patches of fresh paint that Lola, Glenn, and Connor had started brushing over their graffiti.
