Page 35 of Hearts of Fairlake

"Yes, as early as seven in the morning," I told her brightly.

She was not the first pissed-off person to come into the shop and realize they weren't going to get what they wanted. Adam had started the shop as a solo handyman service that expanded to include others working under him. And then he'd taken the risk of expanding to build custom furniture and the occasional outdoor decoration. Against all odds, both businesses boomed despite Fovel's handyman service being used until he showed up.

People had gotten used to having Adam's services available and were frustrated to be cut off despite the warning they were given ahead of time. If it was a matter of life or death or something that could quickly cost the homeowner a lot of money, we could take a breakto repair the damage. Otherwise, people would have to be put on a waitlist or go elsewhere.

"There is still service out in Fovel," I reminded her, hoping she’d be one of those people who would 'take her money elsewhere' as if one lost customer would hurt the business. "I don't believe they charge a great deal extra to come out to Fairlake. It was the go-to service before this place came along."

"I'm aware of that," she said, but with a moment of hesitation. I wondered if she knew that or was saving face. "But I wish to usethisservice. Aren't we all supposed to pull together and help those in the community? Isn't that what I keep seeing in those community posts and mailing lists?"

So that was how she was going to play. “Yes, ma'am, and sometimes that coming together requires understanding when, say, a business has a prior engagement because of an agreement made to help make this upcoming celebration the best. I can call the other service in Fovel if you'd like."

"I would rather you didn't. I can't believe you won't consider this an emergency. I'm an old woman who would like to use her porch."

Because clearly, a side or back exit would be too much for her. “Of course. We can have someone come out and look if you'd like. However, if the person we send out sees that you have exaggerated the state of your porch, then there will be a service fee."

Her eyes widened. “That...is outrageous."

The bell over the front door jingled merrily, and I repressed the urge to sigh until I heard a female voice, annoyed and exasperated. "Grandma Beatrice, what are you doing?"

"Oh,nowI'm getting my proper title?" the woman asked, holding her hand to her chest and scowling at the girl behind her.

"Oh, hi there, Ayla," I said, recognizing the teen. Only to realize what she’d just called my new favorite customer. “I didn't realize this was your grandmother."

"No, you wouldn't," Beatrice said icily. "No one in my family seems to care to make any claim of me whatsoever."

"Dad already told you he and Kyle would take a look at the porch and fix the railing when they had a free day together...which is tomorrow," Ayla said with a shake of her head. "Everyone knows Adam can't handle anything other than emergencies. It was in the newsletter."

"I don't see what this has to do with you," Beatrice said with a sniff. "Not that it matters. I'm clearly not going to find any help here despite all these apparent believers in community."

"Grandma, your version of participating in the community is yelling at the mail carrier for his truck being too loud at ten in the morning, berating the cashier for not bagging your stuff in the way you demand without actually telling him, and a whole list of things I could say that would cover how you only want community when it benefits you," Ayla said. I raised a brow, glad the attention was off me, as my surprise became obvious. Ayla had always been chipper and friendly whenever I saw her. Yeah, she had a quick wit and a decently sharp tongue, but I’d never seen her go after someone like that before.

"Again, I can see I am getting no help whatsoever," Beatrice repeated. "And you have been spending too much time around Kyle."

"That's what happens when you have a parent you love and want to spend a lot of time around," Ayla said, arching her brow. "Do you want me to walk you back home?"

"You meanhelpme home," Beatrice said with a huff. "I can manage. As this one said, I'm quite active."

I thought about trying to help her out the door, but sheswung around, cane in hand, with enough force and vigor that I stayed right where I was. I watched her march out, hobbling a little but still steady as she opened the door and let herself out. Not without shooting us a dirty look, of course, but that was still better than continuing to contend with her.

I let out a low breath. “Jesus. I know that's your grandma, but?—"

"Don't be sorry. Say whatever comes to mind. I can promise you I've said far worse, and Kyle definitely has."

"I'd heard through the grapevine that Ian's mother was...difficult, but I didn't realize she was...that."

Ayla snorted, tucking her hair behind one ear. "She'salwaysbeen like that. I don't know how my dad ended up being so...well, great. Not when he had a mom like that constantly nipping at his heels."

"He doesn't have a lot of luck with the women in his life, does he?" I wondered, remembering how, once upon a time, his ex had shown up to assault poor Annie and kidnap Ayla. I hadn't been around then, but after working at Adam's, I got to see a lot of the crew that had been involved in getting her back. "Oh, that's...your mom."

Ayla's expression darkened. “I don't want to talk abouther. I can't believe they let her out."

"She's out?" I asked in surprise.

"Yeah, let her out for 'good behavior' or some shit," she huffed. "Anyone who’s known her for five minutes should know that's just a facade. Grandma B might be a royal bitch, but she's an honest one. My 'mother' is about as honest as a two-headed coin."

"It's not about honesty," I said with a shrug. "Even just the illusion of behaving yourself is a good way to get yourself out if what you did wasn't that bad. Prisons are overcrowded, and if they can find a reason to get rid of people who aren'tactively a problem, then that's when the old 'good behavior' excuse gets rolled out."

"Yeah, well, that's great for her," Ayla said, glaring past me. "I just hope she doesn't think anything has changed since I last saw her."

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