Page 110 of The Guest Cottage

Their plan right now was for Pixie to be her manager. She was an organizational guru and had already impressed Marlow with how quickly she accomplished tasks.

Marlow had fifteen minutes before she’d start her shift. She knew once she stepped out to the floor of the tavern, there’d be questions galore. It didn’t bother her, but she didn’t want the talk to impede her work. Herman counted on her.

The end of August had brought grueling heat, with the sun beating against the windows. She’d pinned up her usual braid and wore her tavern T-shirt knotted at the side.

Cort already sat at a table. He often stopped by for dinner when she worked, and sometimes he brought Pixie, too. Right now, though, Andy was cutting a tooth, and the poor little guy was miserable, which meant Pixie walked with him a lot. He was still breastfed, but now it was supplemented with bottles, so Marlow and Cort could regularly give her a break.

Suddenly Cort showed up at the break-room door. One look at his face, and Marlow knew something was up. “What is it?”

“Your mother-in-law is here.”

She groaned.

“Want me to tell her to leave?”

“Would you?”

He turned to go. Laughing, Marlow snagged him back. “Okay, okay. You would—but I don’t want that. I have a few minutes before I start, so I’ll just go see why she’s here.”

Cort’s expression said it all: he would have preferred to send her away.

Every day, Marlow had wondered when, if, Sandra would return. She had to be curious about the baby. “How about I introduce you?”

“Yes,” Cort said with satisfaction. “Let’s do that.”

Grinning at him, Marlow took his hand and stepped out of the room. There by the door stood Sandra. Everyone, especially Herman, eyed her critically. Marlow didn’t see Aston, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t close by. It would be a long drive for her mother-in-law to make on her own.

Going first to Herman, Marlow said, “Stop it.”

“Why? She deserves the stink eye.”

Cort agreed. “She does.”

The phrase almost made her laugh. “She might, but this is still a public place, and it appears she might be a customer.”

“Doesn’t have to be. I can refuse her.”

Marlow patted his shoulder. “I’d rather not cause a scene.”

His gaze shot to her. “Does that mean you plan to talk to her?”

“Of course I will.” Not that she particularly looked forward to it. “I still have a few minutes.”

He just stared at her.

Softly, Marlow said, “She wasn’t herself that night. I’ve never seen her so broken. Please, let’s try to be kind.”

He gave one sharp nod. “For you, I will. Just know that if it looks like she’s bothering you, I’m setting off the fire alarm.”

The grin got away from Marlow, but she quickly forced her lips into a more sedate line. “I won’t be bothered, so don’t do anything.” When he frowned at her, she added, “You’re a charmer, Herman. I hope you know how much I care for you.”

He turned his frown to Cort. “You going to introduce yourself to her?”

“Marlow is taking care of that for me. Don’t worry, okay? She knows what she’s doing.”

With that vote of confidence, she sauntered over to her mother-in-law.

With each step, she felt the eyes of customers on her—Sandra’s included. Tension thickened the air, making her wonder if her mother-in-law actually felt nervous. For Marlow, it was like facing a tough client. She’d be professional, polite, but to the point.

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