Page 18 of Yours, Always

Annabelle took the shirt and magnet. “Thanks! It’s been so long since you’ve been home that my last shirt has finally worn out.” She held up the L.A. thermometer fridge magnet. “And this? Is it so I’ll always remember how cold Amber Falls is compared to Los Angeles?” She arced her arm through the air toward the front windows, where the fall wind was howling, and leaves were flying through the air. “Like I need a reminder.”

“Hey, that shining sun on the magnet will remind you the next time you get three feet of snow that you actively choose to stay here.” He handed Gabe the bottle of Glenfiddich Select Cask. “And this is for you.”

“This is definitely going into my private collection. Thanks, bro.”

“And I’m staying with you, so really, this gift is for me, too.”

Gabe held the bottle closer to him. “When I said private collection, I meantprivatecollection, Greyson.”

“I see how it is,” Annabelle said, “withholding the good stuff.”

“Never for you, AB, you can always have my good stuff,” Gabe promised her with a wink.

“I can always count on you, Gabe.” Annabelle chuckled and stood. “I gotta go. Greyson, I’m going to go light on you and not fill every day with Fall Festival tasks, but I’m going to email an itinerary just the same.” She shot a questioning glance at Prudence, who gave her a small shake of her head. “Oh, Pru.” Disappointment showed in her eyes, knowing now Prudence still hadn’t told Greyson about Chuck. “Sorry I can’t stay. Good luck.”

Greyson looked back and forth. “Good luck with what?” he asked as Prudence’s eyes took on the wide-eyed stare of a panicked deer.

The door opened before Annabelle could reach it. “Hi, Chuck. Bye, Chuck.” Annabelle threw another sorry glance at Prudence over her shoulder.

Chuck entered the bar, holding the door for Annabelle as she breezed through it. “Hi, Annabelle. Bye, Annabelle,” he said, shaking his head and walking to the table Greyson and Prudence sat at. “She’s a whirling dervish, that one is. Hey! Greyson, nice to see you back in town. How’s it going, Gabe?” He dropped a kiss on Prudence’s head, sitting and throwing his arm across her shoulders.

Greyson’s head bobbled back and forth between Prudence and Chuck. His eyebrows drew together, and his stomach did a somersault that left him nauseous. He swallowed hard as the reality of what he was seeing hit him although he didn’t want to believe it. “You two?”

Chuck’s brow furrowed. “You didn’t know? We’ve been dating for like six months.”

Prudence turned to Chuck, obviously perplexed. “It’s been almost a year, Chuck.”

“Really? Well, what do you know. It’s been almost a year, Greyson.”

Gabe started slowly walking backward, still cradling his bottle of whiskey. “I’m just gonna…go…customers.”

Greyson looked around. “There’s no one else here, Gabe.”

“Um, I think I smell something burning…” Gabe ducked behind the bar.

“Still no one here, Gabe,” Greyson yelled after him, turning back to the table while shaking his head.

Prudence shifted in her seat, shrugging off Chuck’s arm in the process. “I really have been meaning to tell you, Grey.”

They lapsed into silence. The only sound in the bar now was Chip Gaines’ voice on the TV.

“So…” Chuck started, breaking into the awkward silence that ensued. “We’re shooting a commercial at the car lot tomorrow, Greyson. I know my dad would love to see you. Why don’t you come down? This little lady will be there too.” He reached over to tweak Prudence’s nose.

Prudence swatted Chuck’s hand away with a frown. “Yeah, Greyson, that would be fun. I have an early client meeting and can stop by and get you after?”

“As of now there’s nothing on my itinerary. Sure, I’ll come by.”

“That’s great!” Prudence said too brightly as another round of silence filled the room.

“How are your parents doing, Pru?” Greyson asked.

“They’re good. Not much is new since the last time we talked. Mom is going crazy with Dad at home all the time since he retired. You should stop by one day while you’re here, they keep telling me how much they want to see you.”

Greyson nodded, silence surrounding them again.

“Well…I have a full afternoon. I’m gonna head out.”

“I thought your afternoon was free, Pru?” Greyson pointed out.

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