Page 11 of Trust

“Is he charming, intelligent, and bowled over by your beauty and charm?”

“Uuhhh, not really,” she replied quietly. “He’s going with a growly thing and probably thinks I’m annoying and pushy.”

“So, not a promising start?” Elaine asked.

“No, but it hasn’t taken the wind out of my sails for some reason.”

The screen door creaked open, and Olivia looked across the store and watched the most glamorous woman in the Southeast sweep in. “Hey, Grams.”

“Helloooo, my beauties. What have I missed?”

“Just the opening chapter of Livy’s love story, Mama. I will make a pot of Oolong tea and want you both to sit at the lunch counter.”

Olivia gave her mom a nod and then inhaled her grandmother’s Ms. Dior perfume before embracing her gently. “My neighbor has me all agog, and I might be about to make some very foolish decisions.”

“I adore foolish decisions, especially when it comes to men.”

“I know, Grams. And I’m expecting you to give me some real pearls of wisdom on how to proceed.”

Margret lifted her elegant hand and wiggled a finger with a ruby the size of a marble. “The man who gave me this inspired some of my most imprudent choices, and at the ripe old age of eighty-two, I can say without a doubt I regret none of them. The memories are delicious, and the consequences long forgotten.”

“I hope to be half as lucky.”

Grams smoothed out her cerulean pantsuit and winked. “Then you’ll have to leave your house and kick up your heels a hell of a lot more. Mischief and mayhem cannot be found out in the sticks.”

“Never say never,” she replied as they walked over to the lunch counter and slid into the bright pink leather chairs.

Elaine set down a sunny yellow teapot and then pulled down three blue polka-dot teacups. “She’s besotted with Nan’s grandson, so those old woods might finally see some action.”

“Mooooom, you can’t say that.”

Pursing her lips, Elaine poured the tea. “Why, because I’m a widow who hasn’t dated much?”

“No! I just don’t want to think about either of you giving thought to my sex life.”

“Nonsense,” Grams said firmly. “Now, tell us about this boy.”

“He’s not a boy; he's a grown, sexy beast of a man,” Olivia replied. “He’s in his thirties and was a Green Beret. He’s built like a bull and has this thing that makes my insides jiggly.”

“Does he have a kind face?” Elaine asked.

“I think he’s handsome, but the scars that litter the right side of his face make him look foreboding, not gentle.”

“A warrior,” Grams said quietly. “Now, that’s something we can work with.”

“I’m not sure about that, Mama. Livy just told me he’s not interested and finds her exuberant personality a bit challenging.”

“In real talk, that means he couldn’t find me less appealing,” she added before pouring two teaspoons of sugar into her cup and stirring slowly. “Though he didn’t seem as repelled when he stopped by earlier with his brother.”

“No man could ever be repelled by you or your sisters. You three are the loveliest, funniest, smartest, most charming women east of the Mississippi.” She squeezed Olivia’s cheek.

“I couldn’t agree more,” Elaine added. “In fact…”

“Stop, you two. We have to face facts and accept that this crush might have unrequited tragedy written all over it.”

“You’ve had a full helping of misfortune already,” Elaine said after setting down her cup. “This is nothing but a bumpy beginning.”

“Here’s to hoping.”

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