Page 47 of His North Star
As I finished the last tweaks, tires slowed to a stop. Phillip had pulled into the field first, followed by two fifteen-passenger vans. Ty and I met the vehicles. We held our arms out, guiding everyone over to the telescopes. Gloria, Mrs. Sheffield, and Loretta fawned over Ty.
“Oh, who is this dashing young man?”
“What a polite, handsome gentleman!”
“You’re a dear to help a little old woman like me. Are you single? I know just the granddaughter that could make you happy.”
Ty’s cheeks turned a dark shade of pink. He politely smiled in return. “My pleasure.”
I bit back a smile. Ty, of course, became the center of attention, whether he wanted it or not. But they could have Sir Too-Good-to-Lean-on-His-Best Friend’s attention.
As soon as everyone gathered, sweat pricked the back of my neck.
Phillip gave me a side hug. “We’re ready, dear. Are you going to be all right?”
I nodded. “You know me and talking. I don’t like it, but I’ll manage.”
“You were fine a few weeks ago. I’m sure tonight will be too.”
He was too kind. “Thanks.”
Phillip called out, “Listen up, folks, let’s give Maren our attention for a minute.”
Every eye turned on me. “Go ahead and split into three groups. While you’re waiting, you can ask me any questions you have. I’ll also spend some time pointing out a few constellations so you don’t get bored waiting your turn. Remember not to touch the telescopes. If you can’t see, let me know. And last, I hope you have fun!”
Ty stood next to the telescope pointed at the moon and to no one’s surprise—except Ty’s—every woman lined up by him.
The gentlemen divided themselves between the Saturn and Jupiter lines. I milled around, waiting for questions. As I passed the moon group, Mrs. Sheffield curled her fingers around my upper arm.
In a loud voice, she asked, “Who is that with you tonight?”
I looked toward Ty, who was helping Gladys down from the stool I’d brought.
“He’s a friend.” I shrugged. One I wasn’t talking to at the moment. I wouldn’t air our dirty laundry to the queen of gossip though.
She leaned closer to whisper-yell. “Then why does he keep looking at you likethat?”
Sure enough, when I peeked at Ty, our eyes locked. From this distance, I had no idea what “way” Mrs. Sheffield referred to. Was he shooting me a glare?
“Maybe he’s jealous that I’m talking to you,” I teased.
She swatted my arm. “I might be old, but I’m not blind.”
That was questionable. Especially if she thought Ty looked at me in a certain way. We were a good twenty yards from one another. Night had officially fallen. If I couldn’t read his expression, how on earth could she?
“Is he single?” she asked.
“It’s kind of complicated right now.”
“I know just how to fix it—“
I cut her off. She knew nothing about Ty. “Hey, did you know that the brightest star in the Big Dipper is actually part of a larger constellation called the Great Bear? The Latin meaning is Greater She-Bear. Do you want me to point it out?”
I took out my red laser and outlined the bear.
She shook her frizzy hair. “I don’t really see how those stars connect to make a bear, but if you say it’s there, I believe you.”
“Here,” I pulled out my phone, opening up the stargazing app. Holding it up to the sky, I showed her how the stars connected, forming a bear.
