She needed time alone with her daughter. Besides, she didn’t want Rosie to feel like every spare second had to be spent with her and Olive
“I need to work in the garden,” her mother said. “With all the rain we’ve had, I’m afraid I’ve been neglecting it. The weeds are taking over again.”
For the past two days, they’d had beautiful sunshine. The tourists were out in force and through the kitchen window she could see kites already in the air, even though the bigger winds wouldn’t come up until late afternoon.
“Do you need some help? We don’t have to go on a hike today. We could stay here and help you instead.”
Rosie shook her head. “Don’t be silly. Today is a lovely day to hike down to Hidden Beach. You’ve been working far too hard. You need to stop and breathe and enjoy our beautiful surroundings.”
“We could help you for a few hours this morning and then all go to the beach this afternoon,” she said.
“Oh, that would be lovely. I can’t today, though. I really do need to catch up on the garden and also some work. Oh, and Pam is coming by later to drop off a book she wanted me to read.”
Emma froze. It had taken all she had to be civil to her a few days earlier. She wasn’t sure how much longer she could keep up the pretense.
“What time will she be here?” she asked carefully. She would make sure she and her daughter were far away by then.
Sylvia, she saw, had sent her a quick look. Her grandmother was the only person Emma had ever confided in. Even her grandmother didn’t know all the details, but she knew enough.
“This morning, I believe. She’s heading out of town to meet up with some friends. Pam has a very active social life. We’re not at all alike in that respect.”
“You could have an active social life, too.” Sylvia gave her a chiding look. “How long have I been telling you to try the dating apps? They’ve done wonders for me.”
“Grandma!” Emma exclaimed. “You’re not really on dating apps, are you?”
Sylvia gave a sly look. “Sure I am. That’s the best way to meet people these days, isn’t it? You can’t tell me you don’t have a profile on one of those sites.”
Emma could feel her face flush. “I absolutelycantell you exactly that. I’m not interested in dating right now. Maybe someday, but right now I have other priorities.”
She sent a meaningful look toward Olive, who continued eating her food while occasionally slipping a bit of her plant-based sausage to Dottie, who had learned to sit patiently beside her chair for just these chances.
“You’re a mother, but you’re still a woman,” Sylvia reminded her. “There’s no reason you can’t get out there more.”
“When would you suggest I date? I’m working long hours at the bookstore and then I come home to my child. There’s not a lot of room in there for a love life. Maybe someday.”
Maybe she would find time for that after she managed to persuade her mother that she should be working at Lucas Construction instead of the bookstore.
She wasn’t making much progress in that arena. Or any at all.
First things first, she told herself. She needed to earn her mother’s trust by making the bookstore a success, then slowly ease her way into working at Lucas Construction instead.
They had nearly finished breakfast when the doorbell rang.
“Oh! That must be Pam,” her mother said. “She’s early.”
Emma froze. She did not want to talk to Pam today. She thought she would be able to avoid her, but now that seemed impossible.
“I’ll get it!” Olive scraped her chair back and raced for the front door.
One of her daughter’s favorite things was answering the door. Emma remembered she had been the same way. She always loved seeing what new adventure might be waiting on the other side.
Rosie followed close behind her granddaughter. With any luck, Pam might drop off the book and leave.
Unfortunately, that wish wasn’t granted. From the kitchen, she heard Pam greeting Olive and Rosie.
“Sorry I’m early. My plans changed and my friends decided they wanted to leave earlier than we had arranged.”
“It’s no problem. We’re having breakfast. Come through and you can say hello to Mom and Emma.”