She couldn’t back out now, though. They were here and she had to stay so she could drive her grandmother back home.
“That sounds good. I’m starving,” Sylvia said. She hobbled over to a table that had been set up in the open-plan kitchen, which had two large islands that were covered with food platters.
The people of Wood Briar certainly never wanted anyone to go hungry.
The book group was a large, eclectic mix. Some of the women were her grandmother’s age, but she was happy to see a few that were her own.
Her mother was engrossed in conversation with several other woman and Emma was struck by how put-together her mom looked. Rosie wore soft-gray trousers and a silk blouse that brought out the green in her eyes. She looked every inch the successful businesswoman she’d become.
She was lovely, Emma thought, not for the first time. At forty-five, Rosie had decades of life ahead of her. She could easily find another relationship, start a new chapter in her life. So why hadn’t she?
The question nagged at Emma. In all the years since her father died, Emma wasn’t sure Rosie had dated anyone. Sylvia had never mentioned it to her, anyway.
Had Rosie put her own life on hold all this time? Thethought made Emma’s chest tighten with a mix of guilt and concern.
Her mother must have sensed her scrutiny. She looked up and smiled, maneuvering through the crowd to hug Emma.
“I’m so happy you made it! Was Olive all right with the babysitter?”
“She and Maya were having a lovely time when I left. Olive was thrilled because Maya brought a bunch of craft supplies. I think she will be very entertained.”
“Oh good. You need to grab something to eat. There are a few vegetarian options. I was worried about that, but it looks like somebody brought a veggie plate, and there are some croissants that don’t have the chicken salad on them.”
“Mom, I’m fine. You don’t have to fuss over me.”
Rosie looked slightly put out, and Emma regretted her tone. When would they relax around each other? Would they ever, or were the scars between them too deep for them to ever completely heal their relationship?
“This is a big crowd. How’s Andrew doing?”
To her surprise, she saw a faint hint of color climb her mother’s cheeks.
“He’s fine. I believe he’s over there being cornered by Susie and Betty Phillips.”
She followed the direction of her mother’s inclined head and found Andrew surrounded by several women—including Pam Clarke, she saw with annoyance.
As if he somehow sensed them talking about him, Andrew looked up. His gaze seemed to unerringly find Emma’s mother and his polite smile widened into something that looked much more genuine. Rosie smiled back, then looked away, the flush on her cheeks climbing higher.
Well. Wasn’t that interesting?
Was something going on between her mother and Andrew Morgan?
The man really was good-looking, for an older guy. He had brown hair with only a trace of gray and a long, lean frame.
And he seemed to be looking at her mother with a definite light in his eyes.
Emma was not sure how she felt about that.
Andrew seemed like a very nice guy. They had lots in common, too, especially their love of books.
She wanted to ask her grandmother if she had noticed anything between the two of them, but Sylvia was talking to a couple of other women she didn’t recognize.
Her stomach rumbled, so Emma hurried to the kitchen. An assortment of appetizers and sweet treats presented a tempting display. She filled up her plate with vegetables and relented enough to grab one of the small croissants.
Pam might have brought them but she obviously hadn’t made them herself. She likely had purchased them from the bakery in town. That somehow made it okay for Emma to eat one, though she had to wonder if she was rationalizing.
Emma nibbled on a cucumber slice as she walked across the room to chat with Candace Early, the town librarian. She had always been kind.
“Emma! I’d heard you were back in town and running your mom’s bookstore. I’m sorry I haven’t had a chance to come in yet. It’s so great to see you. You look fantastic.”