Page 58 of This Moment

“Of course. Anytime.”

I watched as Hope walked out of the bakery. I felt a strange connection to the woman and couldn’t pinpoint what drew me to her.

“She’s beautiful,” Opal softly said next to me.

Nodding, I said, “She looks like her father. Was it just me or did she look…exhausted?”

“She did, but having a one-year-old and Judith for a mother-in-law can’t be easy.”

Opal drew in a deep breath and exhaled. I turned to face her. “Are you okay?”

She smiled. “I am. I’ll tell you the whole story one of these days.”

Her smile faded as she looked back at the door. A look of worry on her face.

“Is her mother-in-law that bad?”

Opal chuckled. “Judith Turner is a piece of work. Next to Betty Lou, she is the next big gossip in town.”

“I’ll have to remember that. Has she ever been in the bakery before?”

Laughing, Opal replied, “Oh, heavens no. She has people for that.”

Opal used air quotes when she said the word people.

“People?” I asked.

“The Turners are right up there in wealth. As a matter of fact, Judith and my sister, Lacy, were very competitive while growing up.”

“Do you come from a wealthy family as well?” I asked, not sure why I would ask something so rude. “I’m sorry, that was out of line for me to ask that.”

Opal laughed. “I don’t mind at all. My mother and father were middle-class, but someone forgot to inform my sister, Lacy. She acted as if she was a member of the Carter family from birth. The other wealthy families in the Moose Lake area are the Grants and the Banks. The Banks are property rich, for lack of better words. They own property all over the United States. It is mostly in Boston, New York City, San Fransico, and Seattle. The Grants are bankers.”

“Wait. Is Sally a member of the Grant family?”

Smiling, Opal replied, “She is, indeed.”

“But…”

I let my words trail off.

“She works for the Carters. Yes, she has for years. Started as a nanny to Macy. She was a stubborn girl and didn’twant to have anything to do with her parents’ money. She loved kids and taught as the kindergarten teacher at Moose Village Elementary for a few years before Lacy approached her about coming to work for their family. Truth be told, the best thing my sister could have ever done for her children was hire Sally. She is why Macy, Kian, and Mark turned out the way they did.”

“I’ve only had the one encounter with Macy, and I haven’t met Mark yet.”

Opal reached for my hand. “Don’t let that first impression of Macy make you think ill of her. She’s a good cookie, just a bit overprotective of those she loves. And, well, Mark…I’m not sure you will meet him anytime soon, but that’s a story for another day.”

I patted her on the arm in understanding. “Well, I’m going back to the kitchen to clean up.”

“Are you going to the dance this evening?” Opal asked.

“The Spring Fling?” I asked. When Opal nodded, I laughed. “I don’t think so. I plan on finishing up here and heading back to the house.”

“Oh, I hate to see you not enjoying yourself. The Spring Fling dance is a must to attend.”

“I’m sure it is a blast, but I don’t know anyone, and…well…it’s a dance!”

“As pretty as you are, you will not have a problem with someone asking you to dance.”

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