Page 24 of Christmas at Black Cherry Retreat
‘MrChambers appears to be alittle distracted.’
‘Hmm. That’s one way to put it.’
Fee didn’t press and at that moment Mary-Jo hurried in.
‘I’m starving, Mama. Fix me something quick before I go pick up the monster, please. Pretty please.’ She flung her arms around her mother’s neck and kissed her. ‘Oh, Fee, there you are. Great. We can have a chat. I’ll come and sit with you while my sweet mama getsme a plate of food before I pass out.’
Anyone less likely to faint from a lack of nourishment Fee hadn’t seen recently. Everything about the girl sparkled, from her glossy reddish gold curls to her 50s style yellow and white polka dot dress and shiny yellow kitten heels. Fee longed to take out her camera but restrained herself. She gestured towards the nearest chair and smiled. ‘I coulddo with some company.’
Ina set down a plate in front of Mary-Jo. ‘Chicken salad, grapes and chips, okay?’
‘Yep, perfect. I promised Lulu we’d get ice cream from Suzy-Beth’s today.’ She looked back at Fee. ‘I bet you haven’t been to Sweet Scoops yet, have you?’
She shook her head, deciding not to mention the fact she wasn’t supposed to eat too many sweet, high-fat foods.Finding out more about Tom should be worth a little minor discomfort.
‘I apologise for my daughter’s bad manners.’
‘What’s wrong?’
‘You didn’taskthe poor girl. She might have other plans. She’s on vacation,’ Ina declared, folding her arms across her ample chest.
Vacation?Not exactly. ‘I’d love to join you and thanks for the offer.’
‘See.’ Mary-Jo gavea satisfied grin and dug into her delayed lunch. ‘Excuse me pigging out but I haven’t eaten since breakfast and Lulu will throw a tantrum if I’m late. Typical redhead!’
Her laughter was infectious and Fee couldn’t help joining in until they both received despairing head shakes from Ina.
‘Thanks, Mama. We’re goin’ to get off now.’
‘Have you got something to feed the poorchild later?’
Mary-Jo rolled her eyes. ‘Yeah, we’ve still got half of the beef stew you gave me yesterday plus leftover chicken pot pie from the day before. We won’t starve. I’ll see you in the morning. Come on, Fee. We need to hurry.’
She closed down her laptop and packed it away. ‘Where is the day-care?’
‘One block over. We’ll walk.’
Being dragged along in Mary-Jo’swake was a new experience for Fee. Everyone they passed greeted the young woman with a smile and asked how Lulu was doing. Somehow she managed to smile and answer them all while walking.
‘Do you knoweveryonein town?’ Fee asked.
‘Pretty much. Between Sheriff Hank, Mama, Suzy-Beth, her husband Joe, Tom and his brothers, we’ve got the place covered. Then there’s Lulu’s Daddy’s family– they’re big shots around here. I guess it’s the same where you come from?’
She shrugged, not sure how to answer.
‘Is that a yes or no?’ Mary-Jo persisted.
‘I’m not really from anywhere in particular.’ Mary-Jo stared at Fee as if she’d grown a second head. ‘I was born in London but we moved around a lot when I was growing up and since then I’ve travelled non-stop withmy job.’ She plastered on a bright smile. ‘I’m a free spirit with no desire to be tied down.’
‘Sounds lonely to me, but everyone to their own I guess. I’d like to travel some but can’t imagine not having Pine Ridge to come back to.’
Fee’s throat tightened around the tears she refused to shed. Pierre had dangled the promise of a regular life in front of her before snatching it awayagain. A sudden trickle of panic seeped through her. Was she using her undeniable attraction to Tom to create something which wasn’t there and never would be where she was concerned? Everyone wasn’t suited to a so-called “normal” life. Wasn’t it better she accepted it now rather than screw him up alongside her?
‘Hey, we’re here. Are you okay?’
Fee dragged out a smile. Thank goodnessshe’d seen sense before she made even more of a fool of herself. If Tom wanted to mourn Gina the rest of his life it was nobody’s business but his. She’d stay well clear of him and concentrate on herself and getting better. In a few weeks she’d leave and her Tennessee idyll would be over. ‘I’m fine.’ Impulsively she gave the girl a hug. ‘Thanks.’
‘What for?’ Mary-Jo frowned.
‘Helping.’She didn’t explain and her companion didn’t ask but Fee wasn’t stupid enough to think it’d be the last time she’d hear about this.
