Page 49 of Take This Heart
He rolls his eyes. “Yeah, where I can’t get away withanything.”
“Darn tootin’,” Grandma Nancy says.
I get some work done and while Dad’s napping, I go into town for a little bit. The grandmothers shooed me out the door, telling me I needed to get some fresh air. The reporters gave up and hopefully that’s the last we’ll see of them. I push into Cox Trading Post, and the little bell jingles. I’m still stewing over the Milo-Camden-Tully lunch and instead of baking my feelings, I decided to come see Erin.
“Look who’s here,” Erin calls. “You look like you could use a hug or a wooden moose lamp. Maybe both.”
“I’m not opposed to either, although moose lamps are not typically my aesthetic.”
Erin taps her chin. “We just got a box of hand-painted mugs with raccoons wearing sweaters and sneakers.”
I give her a look.
“I know.” She lifts her hands. “Mom had to have ‘em. I tried to talk her out of the whole thing. But take a look. They’re weirdly cute.”
I go where she’s pointing and nod. “Huh.” I pick one up. “You’re right. Theyarecute.”
Next to the mugs are a line of T-shirts I haven’t seen yet. I pick one that says “Don’t Moose With Me” to be my new sleep shirt. At the counter, I put a bag of Cherry Sours on top.
“You doin’ all right?” Erin asks. “You’re awfully quiet.”
She rings me up but keeps studying me.
“I’m fine. Annoyed with my brothers at the moment, but fine. What’s up with you? You’re looking at me funny.”
“Nothing,” she says, a little too innocently. “You know what’s cute? The Havanese puppies the Alexanders have right now. They’re ready to adopt in a week. Carrie says they’re already potty-trained. I think I’m gonna get one and youshould too. We’d have siblings and they could play with each other when we get together.”
“It doesn’t feel like a good time for a puppy. I’ve been crazy busy.”
“It’s never a good time for a puppy, but it’s always agood time.”
“Is that going on your next T-shirt?”
“Maybe.” She smirks. “It could apply to a few things.” She points at me. “I’m not done with this topic. You need a puppy in your life. Your dad too. It’d bring him lots of joy.”
I tilt my head, eyes narrowing. “You might be onto something there. Dad would love having a dog again. It took him forever to get over Meggie, but this might really cheer him up.”
“I knew it. Yes. Meant to be. Here, this is Carrie’s number.” She jots down a number. “She asked me to help spread the word, so she’ll be excited to hear from you.”
“Thanks. I’ll keep thinking about it. Did you hear about all the reporters outside our house?” I ask.
She frowns. “No. What’s up with that?”
“I don’t know. Seems like some people in Windy Harbor might not be as glad that we’re updating the resort as we thought.”
“I haven’t heard anyone say anything negative,” she says. “And you know I’d hear it if it were being said.”
“It’s so weird. We’ve gotten calls all morning and then there were reporters out there—two stayed for hours.”
“That’s creepy. I don’t like that. I’ll mention it to my brother and I bet he’ll do regular drive-bys. You know Justin loves him some Whitmans.”
I grin and hug her. “Thanks. I already feel better.”
“That’s what I’m here for.” She leans in. “And don’t be too hard on your brothers. They love you.”
“Okay.” I sigh. “I’ll try.”
But then I get a text with a photo of them cheersing with their beer at lunch and am over all of them.
