Page 20 of Love in Mission City: The Shorts

True.Convincing him of that was a whole new ballgame.

The wall clock showed it was noon.I could afford to close up shop for a half hour.I’d see if Dickens wanted to let me buy him lunch.Maybe we could eat it together.

Yeah, right.Dream on.

Well, I had to try something.Sitting here stewing wasn’t going to get me very far.I stalked to the sink and scrubbed my hands until they were almost raw.Took a few minutes, but eventually I was able to scour off most of the grease.I was pretty sure Dickens rarely lifted the hood of his pretty Prius.Probably had a mechanic on standby for all the grubby work.

I removed the leather thong holding my hair and put it on the edge of the sink.Then I combed my hair until it looked decent.I didn’t have Noel’s preppy look, but I cleaned up decently.Hopefully he’ll notice the effort.Locking the front door behind me after having secured the gate, I headed next door.The sunlight glared on the front window so I couldn’t see inside.

Just do it already.

I cleared my throat and opened the door with as much confidence as I could put into the action, given I felt absolutely none internally.

The door gave way and a light tinkle of bells rang out.

I cringed.

On the right was an arrangement of overstuffed chairs, one of them holding an older woman with gray hair.She glanced my way with kind eyes.She held up her finger, and I waited.

After a moment, she removed one earphone and beckoned me closer.

Hmm.I advanced, bent over…and jumped.

A cat had poked its head up from the woman’s lap.It regarded me for a moment, clearly decided I was no threat to the old lady or himself…herself…and resumed its nap.

“I’m Miss Edna.You can call me Miss Edna.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

She glared.

“Sorry, yes, Miss Edna.”

“Now, I’m happy to see you’ve come calling.”

How did she know?Was I wearing a sign?I’d debated bringing flowers but figured Dickens wouldn’t be impressed.Was I wrong about that?Before I could respond, she continued.

“Now, she’s a fragile one these days.Comes across as fine, but I know he broke her heart.”

At my questioning glance, she clarified, “Her ex-husband.He’s a good man, but he’s too broody for her.She needs someone upbeat and fun.”She gave me the once-over.“Can you be fun?”

“Well, I can be funny.”Whether by telling witty jokes or self-deprecating humor was a toss up.I offered a smile.“But, Miss Edna, Sunshine isn’t my type.At least I assume you’re talking about Sunshine.”

Her elegantly plucked eyebrow quirked.

Wait for it…

She grinned.Actually grinned.

Almost disconcerting after the dour expression when discussing Sunshine’s ex-husband.

“Well, I’ll be damned.”

I didn’t know her well enough to know if a swear word was out of character for her or just her everyday speak.“I hope not, Miss Edna.I’d like to see you ascend when you die.”

Her look of dubiousness told stories.Either she didn’t believe, or she believed she was already damned and it was therefore too late.Toss up at this point.

“Miss Edna, I’m glad to see you’ve met our newest resident in town.”

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