by C. W. Gray
He passed Daphne, then paused, looking back at her. “Daphne Bethel? Is that you? My goodness, you’re looking younger every day.”
Daphne looked up and narrowed her eyes on him. “Mr. Gregor.”
David smiled beautifully. “I’ve been meaning to ask you about your recipe for those cookies you made at the last book club meeting. They were so good.”
“I bought them at the store,” Daphne said, shrugging. “I don’t bake anything anymore.”
David’s smile faltered. “Oh, well, I thought maybe you had gotten them at Zoe’s bakery. She and Gib make such a lovely couple. I swear I’ve never seen your son look so happy as he is when they’re together.”
Daphne rolled her eyes and turned her back on him. “I know you’re their friend, David. You’re full of nonsense, even if it’s charming nonsense.”
David winced. “I don’t know what you mean. They are a good couple.”
“Gib would be happier with a nice omega,” Daphne said. “I know several that would make him a better match than that Wilson girl.”
David’s eyes narrowed on Daphne and Zoe groaned, burying her face in her hands.
“That’s the real nonsense right there, Daphne.” David stomped his foot. “My beta son is in love with an omega. Are you telling me they shouldn’t be together because of some antiquated bullshit tradition?”
Daphne straightened to her full height and looked down her nose. “I’m speaking about my son, Mr. Gregor. I don’t pry into other people’s business, unlike you.”
Sheriff McKenzie whistled as he turned into the aisle, strolling slowly toward Daphne and David.
Zoe groaned and typed out a message.
Zoe: Abort mission, Butternut Squash. Abort mission.
The sheriff ignored his buzzing phone and continued onward. “Well hello there, Mrs. Bethel. What a coincidence. I was just talking to Gib at the diner about how much he’s looking forward to the wedding next spring.”
Daphne snorted and grabbed a box of oatmeal. “Do I look like an idiot to you two? I know what you’re trying to do and you are both wrong. Zoe Lawson doesn’t deserve my Gib.”
She marched toward the display Zoe hid behind and Zoe startled, jumping. The display of boxes tumbled around her. Zoe met Daphne’s gaze.
“You’re a Wilson menace.” Daphne shook her head and left.
Zoe glared at her until she turned a corner and disappeared.
“Sorry, Zoe,” Sheriff McKenzie said, wincing. “I just saw your message.”
“She is a bitter woman,” David said, shaking his head. “I can’t believe she admitted to buying those cookies. It’s like she doesn’t even care anymore.” He looked at Zoe. “I don’t envy you, sugar lips. Are you sure Gib really misses her?”
“Yes,” Zoe said, hissing the word. “Damn it, on to Plan C.”
Chapter 3
Zoe patted the warm weight of the puppy in her zipped-up coat and triple checked the small basket of gifts hanging from her elbow. “This had better do the trick. This shit was expensive.”
“My husband assures me that a puppy is always a good gift.” Elijah, her best friend and cousin, gave her a nervous look and clutched the snow shovel to his chest. “I don’t think you should have spent all your wedding money on Mrs. Bethel. She’s not going to appreciate it, Zo Zo.”
“She didn’t like our normal gifts,” Zoe said, shrugging. “I don’t know what else to do, Elijah. Plan D is kidnapping her and forcing her to live in the spare room so Gib can see her anytime he wants.”
Elijah snorted. “Why don’t you keep her in my barn? That way there’s no one to hear her scream.”
Zoe scrunched up her nose. “That’s creepy.”
“Really? And kidnapping her and keeping her in your guest room isn’t?”
Zoe pushed him toward his car. “Go wait in the car. I need to shovel her drive when I’m done, so if you want to go to the bookstore, you can.”
“I can shovel it while you talk to her,” Elijah said.
“No,” Zoe grabbed the shovel. “You’re pregnant, remember?”
Elijah rolled his eyes. “It’s just shoveling snow, Zoe.”
“Go to the car.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he said, saluting her. “You’re so bossy.”
“You better remember it.” Zoe licked her lips nervously and looked at the white door.
“Text me when you want me to pick you up,” Elijah said, giving her a hug before leaving.
She waved goodbye and frowned at the house. She hadn’t noticed earlier in the day, but it was bare of any Christmas decorations. She normally goes all out for the holidays. Zoe shrugged and leaned the shovel against the rails of the front stairs.
She knocked on the door and waited nervously. Remember, Gib loves the bitch and you love Gib.
The door opened and Daphne groaned. “You again? How many times a day do you really need to torment me?”
Zoe ignored her and handed her the basket. “Merry Christmas! I had David help me pick out some jewelry for you, so I know it’s tasteful. I thought maybe you could wear some of it to our Christmas dinner in a few weeks.”
Daphne wrinkled her nose, but opened the first box, eyes widening at the necklace and earring set. “Dear god, are those real?”
“Yes,” Zoe said, shaking her head furiously. “There’s more where that came from.” I didn’t need to spend that much on a wedding anyway and jewelry is an investment. Right?
Daphne pushed the basket back toward her. “That’s too much. You Wilsons may have money, but I’m not a spendthrift. You’re starting a family, Zoe. Make better choices.”
Zoe’s smile faded. “Oh. Okay. I kept the receipts.” She shook herself and unzipped her coat. “Here’s your final gift and I know you can’t say no to her.” She held up the tiny pug puppy. “Gib said you love pugs.”
Daphne blinked a few times, then looked away. “I’m allergic. Go away.”
The door slammed in Zoe’s face and the puppy yelped, startled by the loud sound.
Zoe scowled and left the porch, cuddling the puppy to her chest. “She’s not allergic, puppy. She’s just being difficult. It wasn’t your fault.” It’s not my fault either.
Zoe put the puppy back in her jacket and zipped it up before grabbing the snow shovel. Daphne’s walk was completely covered with just a narrow path clear through the snow.
As she shoveled snow, Zoe started to move from frustrated to angry. Gib was a good man and he thought the world of his mother. What the hell is her problem? I’m a good person with a steady income and no horrible vices. I love Gib and treat him well. I’ll be a good wife.
The puppy whined from her coat and she sighed. “Do you have to pee?”
“What are you doing?” Daphne asked from the porch, making Zoe jump. Woman needs to stop startling me
“Shoveling your damn snow,” Zoe said shortly. She had reached her limit of patience for the day. “Gib doesn’t want you to fall and break something, so I’m shoveling your fucking walk. Leave me alone.”
Daphne didn’t look phased by Zoe’s harsh words. “The puppy is probably hungry. Have you fed her?”
“There’s puppy food in the basket,” Zoe said, nodding toward the basket of jewelry on the bottom step. “I’ll feed her when I get home.”
She went back to shoveling, aware of Daphne’s eyes following her every move. A half hour later, the walk was clear and salted.
“You had better bring the puppy in,” Daphne said from her seat on the porch. “She’s probably cold and hungry.”
Zoe blew hair from her eyes and glared at the woman. “I’m cold and hungry too.”
“You’re an adult who can take care of yourself,” Daphne said, tsking. “At least I assume you are. You don’t act like it too often.”
Zoe stomped up the steps and handed Daphne the puppy before picking up the basket.
Gib’s mother cuddled the little pug and cooed. “You’re such a pretty girl.”
“Allergies no
t bothering you too much?” Zoe arched a brow.
Daphne sniffed, then went inside, leaving the door open for Zoe.
The inside of the house was just as lacking in holiday spirit as the outside. “Where’s your Christmas tree? Gib said you always got a big one and decorated it with all the family ornaments.”
Daphne shrugged. “What’s the point? You’ve taken my son from me. There’s no one else.”
Zoe blinked back tears. Damn woman. “I didn’t take Gib from you. You pushed him out the door and told him not to come back.”
Daphne grabbed the puppy food and poured some into a bowl before putting it down for the pug. “You don’t understand.”
“Then explain it,” Zoe said, fuming. “How is what you’ve done okay? It was your decision, and no one else’s.”
Daphne looked up, pain covering her face. “He was supposed to dump you and come home. Instead he chose you.”
Zoe sighed and pulled off her coat. “He didn’t choose me. He chose to accept and love himself instead of hiding his sexuality away. He chose happiness. I’m just the very fortunate woman who gets to call him her own.”
Daphne watched the puppy eat. “His father would have been furious.”
“His father isn’t here,” Zoe said bluntly. “You are.”
Daphne glared at her. “He seems to be getting along just fine without me.”
Zoe rubbed her face, frustrated. “You’re his mother and he loves you. He misses you. Why else would I be here? I’ve spent the whole day trying to impress you. Damn it, I spent all my wedding fund on jewelry that you won’t take.”
“That was foolish,” Daphne said, eyeing her. “Think of the future, Zoe.”
Zoe threw her arms in the air. “I didn’t know what else to do. I got my whole family to somewhat behave and that wasn’t enough. I asked some friends to talk to you and help you understand we’re not that bad, but no. That wasn’t good enough.” She sat at the kitchen table. “Clearly, I can’t convince you that I belong with Gib, but I don’t want him to be sad anymore. He misses his mother and nothing can replace you, Daphne. Without your approval, he will always have a wound inside that I can’t heal.”
Daphne turned away, gasping. “I don’t want him to hurt.” Zoe heard the tears in the woman’s voice. “This has been awful. I miss him so much, Zoe.”
“Then let’s fix this,” Zoe said gently. “There’s no reason you and I can’t work together to make him happy. Gib is so special and I love him, Daphne. You don’t have to like me. You just need to love Gib.”
Daphne wiped her eyes. “Has he taught you our family recipe for pecan pie? I know you want it.”
Zoe shook her head. “I won’t let him. I’ll only learn it from you.”
“Wash your hands,” Daphne said. “I’ll get the ingredients and walk you through it.”
Epilogue
Zoe looked around the apartment. It was lot happier here than a few days ago and the scent of pecan pie and other delicious Christmas goodies filled the air. Perfect.
Gib laughed as he added ornaments to the large Christmas tree standing in the corner of the living room. “Do you remember when I made this ornament, Mom?”
Daphne chuckled. “You thought you were the next Monet. You can cook, son, but you’re no artist.”
“You love it.” Gib nudged his mom with his shoulder.
She smiled softly. “Yes, I do. It’s my favorite.”
Zoe picked up Thumper and hugged her. “We did it, Thumper. Your grandma finally made up with your daddy.”
Noel, the little pug puppy, ran across the floor, tripping over her paws as she explored the living room. She sniffed at the ancient-looking trainset circling the Christmas tree.
Gib looked at her over his shoulder, tears in his eyes. Thank you, he silently mouthed, then went back to reminiscing with his mom.
Zoe nodded with a smirk. My job here is done.