Page 31 of The Spotted Cottage By the Sea
“I was only joking!” Patty said, both hands on her face in surprise. “Please, come in. I’ll make you something.”
He shook his head. “Sorry, Miss Dennet. You said you wanted me to pull weeds, and that’s what I’m here for.”
Patty stuck her head out the door, peering around the corner. “Should I expect a camera crew to show up? ‘Famous actor helps little old lady who can’t maintain her home’?”
“Not unless you’re the one who called them,” he said with a laugh.
Eliza came flying down the stairs. “Who are you talking to, Granny?”
“Russell Westwood.”
“Ha ha, very funny. I wanted to –” She stopped when she reached the doorway, her mouth hanging open. “You’re Russell Westwood.”
“I am. And you are…Sheila’s daughter?”
“You know my mom?”
“Not well, no. We just met, but I can see the resemblance.”
“This is my granddaughter, Eliza. She’s coming to stay with me, too. You’ve just gainedtwonew neighbors. You’d think they might be moving here for you, but they’re moving here for me!” Patty cackled, unable to contain her joy. “Maybe you should call that TV crew after all. I’m very popular!”
Russell smiled. “I didn’t mean to interrupt your family time. I’m here to work. Is there anywhere in particular you’d like me to start?”
She put her hands on her hips. “I can’t let you do this.”
“I’ll go where I see fit, then.” He smiled and nodded a goodbye before walking off.
“Honestly,” she muttered, closing the front door. “If I’d known he was going to come over, I could’ve put together a garden picnic or something.”
“Granny,” Eliza said slowly, “Why didn’t you tell meRussell Westwoodwas your neighbor?”
“There’s been so much excitement, I forgot! I thought your mom would tell you.”
That wasn’t a good sign. Maybe Sheila wasn’t as charmed with him as she hoped she would be…
Or maybe it was just Sheila being Sheila. Playing hard to get – no, hard to crack.
What would it take for her to entertain the idea of love again?
Patty thought she would never love again after her first husband died. She raised the boys on her own, and when they grew up, she quite happily filled her life with friends and hobbies and travel.
Then she’d met Ray. She was sure it wasn’t possible for her to havetwogreat loves in her life, but there he was, even more wonderful than he even seemed.
When he passed away, she knew she’d been lucky. There was no need to get greedy. Besides, she was too heartbroken to even entertain the idea of romance. And too old! What was she going to do, join a dating website for seniors?
It was too absurd. She was happy to have her cottage and her family.
But then Reggie walked into her life. They’d found such a quiet happiness she didn’t know was possible. It made her believe that anyone, absolutelyanyone, could find love. It only made her more determined to find someone for Sheila.
“Mom definitely did not mention the famous actor living next door!” Eliza said. “I can’t believe this! What else haven’t you told me? Is Oprah coming over for brunch?”
“Wouldn’t that be fun?” Patty stopped. “There’s an idea. Brunch! Your mom should be here soon.” Her mind started turning. She had everything she needed for a nice meal, though a picnic might be iffy with the rain forecast.
Eliza peered out the window. “He’s just…pulling weeds out there. Russell Westwood is pulling weeds in your garden.”
“Why don’t you go get my gardening gloves and keep him company?” Patty suggested, pushing her down the hall.
“Keep Russell Westwood company?There’s no way! I went into shock the second I saw him. It’s embarrassing.”
