by LuAnn McLane
“Gotcha,” Addison said, and grinned. “This is nice! See you in a few minutes.”
“Let’s lock up,” Gabby said to Joy. “A glass of wine is calling my name.”
Joy cupped her hand to her ear. “I hear it too!” she said with a tinkle of laughter.
“Then let’s go.” Gabby brought the Mason jar filled with wildflowers up to her apartment. She felt a nice little bubble of excitement at the prospect of entertaining friends.
“Your apartment is lovely,” Joy commented. “Kind of an eclectic mix of style and furniture.”
Gabby laughed. “It’s called thrift store chic,” she admitted. “My mother and I learned to repaint and repurpose before it was the in thing to do. There aren’t many things in here used for their original intention.”
Joy grinned. “Ah, like the wooden ladder over there used as a bookcase? And the wicker trunk for a coffee table?”
“Yes, and it doubles as storage space.” Gabby pointed to a stack of antique hatboxes stacked in the corner. “Those are filled with random things that I just can’t part with.”
“Secret junk drawers?”
“Exactly!” Gabby pointed at Joy and laughed. “I just love exploring the dusty corners of cluttered antiques shops, and there are a few in Cricket Creek that I frequent. It might sound weird but I find more pleasure in something worn and used than shiny and new.”
Joy shook her head. “Not weird at all. There’s a certain comfort in antiques, I suppose. Maybe it’s the history, I don’t know, but I understand completely. Have you been to the Purple Frog Café up on Main Street yet?”
Gabby shook her head. “Where is it? With a name like the Purple Frog, it has to be fun.”
“Oh, you’d adore it.” Joy nodded. “My good friend Barbara Smith opened it just last week. It’s a coffee shop, but it’s also a wonderful mix of antiques, trinkets, and handmade knickknacks.”
“I’m sure I’d love it.” Gabby waved her hand in a circle. “After all, nothing in here matches, not even my silverware or dishes.”
“I like it. Full of vibrant color and personality, just like you!”
“Thank you, Joy! I always did like a bold mix of colors. I suppose it comes from working with flowers. Is Chardonnay okay? I have a bottle of red too.”
“Oh, Chardonnay sounds refreshing for a warm summer night. Thank you for the invitation, Gabby.”
Gabby smiled as she poured the wine and then handed Joy a glass. “I have a nice deck out back. Someday I hope to have a house with a big yard so I can plant a garden, but for now this is perfect for me.” She dumped some pretzels in a bowl, then sliced up some cubes of cheddar cheese.
“May I do anything?” Joy asked.
“Just grab those napkins and get the door and we’re set!”
“Oh, this is so pretty!” Joy pointed to the white bistro table and matching chairs. “I just knew there would be flowers everywhere. Oh, and tomato plants! You certainly have a green thumb.”
Gabby laughed with delight. “It started with seeds in a milk carton when I was a kid and grew from there. I still like to garden from seeds.”
Joy nodded. “There’s a certain satisfaction in seeing a plant sprout from a seed, isn’t there?”
A few minutes later Addison arrived. She had Maggie with her, along with a woman Gabby didn’t recognize. “I’d like you to meet Trish Daniels,” Addison said. “She and Maggie were friends when they lived in Cincinnati and she recently moved to Cricket Creek.”
“Welcome, Trish. I’m Gabby and this is my friend Joy.”
“Nice to meet you and thanks for having me,” Trish said with a wide smile.
“Oh, you work for the newspaper, don’t you?” Joy asked.
Trish nodded and it suddenly hit Gabby that this was the woman who had written the rather stinging review of River Row Pizza and Pasta. Gabby knew she was doing her job, but it was a little hard not to hold it against her. Still, she seemed like such a genuine person that she wanted to give her the benefit of the doubt.
“I live in Whisper’s Edge near the Camden twins,” Joy explained. “So I’ve heard about you.”
Trish nodded. “Those two are quite a pair. I danced with Clyde at the prom the other night.”
“I saw you,” Joy said hesitantly.
“You know he was trying to make you jealous, right?” Trish asked.
Joy waved a dismissive hand through the air. “Right. . . .”
Trish raised her eyebrows. “I’m serious. He told me so. Seems like there’s never a dull moment with the residents.”
“You got that right.” Joy laughed her agreement. She seemed to really perk up with the news that Clyde was trying to make her jealous. “We might be a retirement community, but there’s nothing boring about Whisper’s Edge—that’s for sure.”
“So, are you going to give Clyde the chance he wants?” Trish persisted, and they all waited for Joy to answer.
“He’s such a player, that one. I think I’m going to make him work for it,” Joy answered. “Make sure he’s, as the kids, say . . . legit.”
“He sure seemed to be,” Trish said. “And the man can dance.”
Joy laughed. “Oh, he can do everything to hear him tell it.”
“I’ll get more glasses and bring a corkscrew,” Gabby said. She also turned on some music and brought out an ice bucket. Pretty soon wine was flowing and they were all laughing and chatting away.
“So, does anybody have any other juicy gossip?” Joy wanted to know. “I sure didn’t think I’d be the center of attention.”
Addison shook her head. “Not that I know of, anyway. I’m just glad there’s nothing out there about me this summer.” She grinned at Maggie. “I’m sure you feel the same way. You know the story, right, Trish?”
Trish took a sip of wine and nodded. “You mean the gossip that you were having an affair with rock star Rick Ruleman while engaged to his son?”
“Yeah . . . that one,” Addison said with a roll of her eyes.
“You should have seen my face when I saw the famous kiss picture in People magazine,” Maggie said. “And now I’m married to the man.”
Trish leaned back in her chair. “Did you ever think in a million years that you’d be married to a famous rock star?”
“No!” Maggie laughed, and then gave her friend a nudge with her elbow. “You just wait. The right guy will come along when you least expect it.”
Addison nodded in agreement. “After two very public broken engagements, I opened a bridal shop that led me to butting heads with Reid and now I’m married to him. Go figure. Life can be crazy.”
“So, any advice for us single ladies?” Joy wanted to know.
Gabby was also listening closely, figuring she could use all the advice she could get from this eclectic group of ladies.
Addison nodded. “I know this sounds totally cliché but you’ve got to follow your heart.” She tapped her chest. “I mean, seriously.”
“What if your heart’s been shattered, stomped on. Put in a blender?” Trish asked.
Gabby’s eyes widened. She didn’t know Trish yet, but she seemed like such a sweet person. Who could want to hurt her so badly?
“Pick up the pieces,” Addison suggested. “I had to and I know it’s not easy by any means.”
“How do you get past the fear?” Trish asked. “I really want to get my groove back.”
Maggie raised her hand. “I’ve got this one. I had to get over the fear of falling for a rock legend who dated women half my age.”
“How did you do it?” Gabby wanted to know.
Maggie raised her eyebrows. “You have to let love take the wheel. Steer you in the right direction.”
Trish shook her head. “But, Maggie, I’m terrified. I feel as if I’ll steer right off another cliff. Crashing and burning isn’t fun.
”
Maggie put her hand on Trish’s arm. “You were married to a jerk. Don’t give him the power to keep you from finding happiness.” She wiggled her eyebrows. “Your neighbor Tony Marino sure is a hottie. Has he forgiven you for the review yet?”
Gabby watched for Trish’s reaction.
Trish sighed. “I don’t think so, but he should soon. I’ve written a follow-up review that’s glowing. I explain that I was in the restaurant at a bad time and that the food is really quite wonderful. It was actually an interesting article to write because it involves giving the restaurant a second chance. I didn’t apologize because I didn’t want to discredit myself as a food critic, so I wrote it from the angle of giving a well-deserved second chance.”
“That was a good way to go about it.” Gabby felt instant relief. She was starting to like Trish and didn’t want to hold her review against her even though she realized she was only doing her job.
“So you think he will?” Maggie persisted.
“Forgive me?” Trish shrugged. “The man might be gorgeous but he’s got a hard head. I guess I’ll see. I have a couple more things up my sleeve that may sway him too. But he refuses to stay off his sprained ankle.”
“So, have you been playing nurse?” Joy asked.
Trish rolled her eyes. “I’ve tried but he’s been so grumpy.”
“You could get a naughty little nurse’s outfit and sashay over there.” Joy stood up, put a hand on her hip, and demonstrated, bringing all to laughter. “I just bet that would cheer him up.”
“He’s a tough nut to crack,” Trish admitted. “But hey, I don’t blame him. After divorce the romantic rug gets pulled out from beneath you so to speak. I sure am struggling.”
“Oh . . . wait. So this is the uncle that Reese lived with in Brooklyn?” Joy looked over to Gabby for confirmation.
Gabby nodded. “Reese and I grew up together until he left for New York.”
Trish’s eyes widened. “Oh my gosh. I thought you looked familiar. You were at the restaurant helping out, weren’t you?”
“Yes, I walked over to get lunch and entered chaos. I knew I had to try to pitch in,” Gabby replied.
“Thanks for being so understanding about the review and not tossing me over the side of the deck.”
Gabby poured more wine in her glass and offered the bottle to Trish. “I grew up being judged and so I try to keep an open mind. Like you explained, you were just writing an honest piece.”
Trish sighed. “I love to write but I’m not so sure I’m cut out to be a critic. I was horrified when I realized Anthony and Reese owned River Row Pizza and Pasta.”
Maggie shook her head. “I know it had to be horrible, but I would like to have been a fly on the wall when Tony found out.”
“Oh, I defended my position to him, but in truth I wanted the ground to swallow me up. Plus, he found out I’d been unlocking his door and letting his dog out on a daily basis. He was steaming,” Trish said, but grinned.
“You fancy him, don’t you?” Joy asked.
Trish stabbed a cube of cheese with a toothpick. “That arrogant, mule-headed Italian?” she scoffed.
“A very sexy Italian,” Maggie pointed out. “And so is his nephew.” She arched an eyebrow at Gabby, who tried to hide her blush by taking a sip of her wine.
“So that’s a yes,” Addison said to Trish, and they all laughed. “What about you, Gabby? I know you had fun at the dance with the younger arrogant, mule-headed, sexy Italian. Any news there? Now that I’m married I have to live vicariously through you single ladies.”
“Ha!” Joy slapped her knee. “We all feel so sorry for you being married to Reid Greenfield,” she said in a singsong voice.
“Thank you. I’ll admit it’s tough,” Addison answered with a laugh. “But speaking of mule-headed, I had to take that whole situation into my own two hands or we wouldn’t be married. The days are done when women have to wait for the man to make the move.” She gave Gabby a pointed look. “So, Gabby? Have you been seeing Reese since the dance?”
“He’s always working,” Gabby answered with a shrug. “Especially since Tony sprained his ankle.” She left out getting the flirty text messages that made her smile throughout the day and dream of Reese at night.
“So, in other words, not nearly enough,” Addison pointed out.
Gabby bit her bottom lip but nodded her admission. He always seemed to be on her mind.
“Well, now,” Joy said. “Addison has the right idea. Sounds like these men need a nudge in the right direction. Sometimes you do have to take the situation into your own hands, if you know what I mean.”
Maggie nodded and raised her glass. “I’ll drink to that. Cheers!”
They tapped their glasses together and laughed.
“I suddenly feel like pizza. Anyone want to join me at River Row Pizza and Pasta?” Joy asked with a grin.
“Sounds like a good plan,” Maggie said with a firm nod. “Let’s go, girls!”
“I’m in!” Gabby joined in the laughter, feeling more carefree than she’d felt in a long time.
14
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs
“UNCLE TONY, YOU SHOULD GET OFF THAT FOOT AND ICE IT down,” Reese suggested when he noticed the grimace of pain on his uncle’s face.
“I’ve got to mix the veal into the ground beef.”
“I’ll take over,” Reese insisted.
“You’ve got desserts to bake.”
“You know what? I’m thinking about heading up to Grammar’s Bakery in the morning. Cheat a little bit so I can do the prep work for you. They’ll still be homemade desserts.”
“No way.”
Reese raised his hands in the air. “You need to stop being so damned stubborn. At this rate you’ll be hobbling around for the rest of your life. Sit your ass down and I’ll grab you a beer. I’m capable of making meatballs.”
“You are a meatball,” Tony answered with a dark scowl. “You know I can take you even with the bum ankle.”
“In your dreams.”
“You wanna go?” Tony asked, but the fight was gone from his voice as he hobbled over to a metal folding chair and sat down.
Reese brought a bag of ice over and handed him a Bourbon Barrel Ale.
“This is some good stuff.”
“I’m always looking out for ya.” Reese had stocked up on his uncle’s new favorite beer. He scooted another chair over so Tony could prop his foot up. “Chill for a few minutes, okay? I told you we should have had Ryan stay and help out.”
“We need to cut back on costs until we’re in the black. Besides, the kid worked his ass off and it’s Friday night. We’re likely to get some delivery orders soon or I’d get the hell out of here myself.”
“At least the dinner rush is over,” Reese said.
A moment later Tessa hurried through the door. “You’ll never guess who stopped in for a late dinner.”
Reese and Tony looked at her, waiting.
“This is where you guess,” she said, clearly excited.
“Mom, just tell us. I’m not in the mood for guessing.”
“You’re no fun. It’s Gabby, Trish, Addison, Joy, and Maggie! They ordered a large pepperoni with mushrooms and bell peppers and an order of cheese sticks.”
“I’ll get on it.” Reese tried not to appear as though the news made his heart pound. He hated that he’d been so busy all week and hoped that douche bag Drew wasn’t making a move on Gabby, but he was fairly certain that he was.
Tessa chuckled. “You know that both of you can stand there looking all big and bad but you’re both so transparent.”
“I’m sitting,” Tony corrected, and glared down at his ankle.
“You like Trish, Tony. Just admit it.”
“Are you kiddin’ me?” Tony growled. “Are you forgetting Trish tra
shed our food? She might be out there to do ’nother story for all we know.”
“You’re so full of it, Tony, and you know it. She’s out there laughing and cutting it up with her friends. I think they’ve been drinking a little bit,” she added in a stage whisper. “Joy, the older one, just got up and started dancing to Sinatra. She’s a card.”
Reese watched the sudden wistful look pass over his mom’s face. When was the last time she had a girls’ night out? “Mom, why don’t you take a bottle of wine out there, on the house, sit down, and have a drink with them?”
Tessa put a hand on her chest. “We’re too busy. I need to start the prep for tomorrow.”
“Have Cara roll the silverware and fill saltshakers. She’s not busy right now.”
Tessa looked at Reese for a second. She swallowed hard but then nodded. “You know what? I think I will!”
Reese felt emotion fill his throat. His mother was such a good person. She deserved to have some fun once in a while. “Go! I’ll bring the pizza out when it’s done.”
When she walked out into the dining room with the wine, Reese heard the ladies cheer.
“You’re a good kid, Reese.”
Reese shrugged. “I love her so much, ya know?”
“I do know.”
Reese watched the play of emotion on his uncle’s face. “I know you love her too.”
“We all got handed a raw deal in some ways, but we’re luckier than most. We have each other’s back. That’s what families do.”
“Always,” Reese said, and then cleared his throat. “By the way, I’m not a kid, you big oaf.”
Tony laughed and then tipped his beer bottle up to his lips. “Get your ass to work.”
Grumbling under his breath, Reese started making the pizza, but when he heard the sound of his mother’s laughter drift back into the kitchen he smiled. He’d never be happy about Uncle Tony having to shut down Marino Pizza, but he sure was glad to be back in Cricket Creek near his mother.
“Make sure the pizza is perfect for Miss Critic out there,” Tony grumbled.