Page 25 of Shelter from the Storm

Instead, she was focused on her neck.

Gretchen tugged on her hair, pulling it forward…and Theo got a sense Edith had noticed something he hadn’t.

“After Lucy left town,” Theo continued, “Scottie set his sights on Kasi.”

“Levi’s Kasi?” Gretchen clarified.

“Yes,” Edith replied. “Apparently, he made her think the town government was going to foreclose on her family’s farm due to late tax payments. In truth, he was trying to trick her into marrying him, so that he could get his hands on the land.”

Gretchen’s eyes widened. “He sounds horrible! How did he win the election the first time?”

Manny snorted. “He ran uncontested. I heard from Remi that Scottie nearly shit his pants when Sam threw his hat in the ring.”

“Language,” Edith said, though she was grinning at the image.

“I was there, and he definitely wasn’t happy,” Theo added. “I think he knows his chances of winning again are slim to none. Sam’s pretty popular around town. And he’s not an asshole.”

“I hope your brother wins,” Gretchen said.

After that, the conversation drifted to the unseasonably warm weather they’d been having, then Manny, Edith, and Theo started telling Gretchen all about the upcoming Fall Harvest Festival that was held every second weekend in October.

When the timer on the stove buzzed, the four of them worked together to carry the lasagna, big bowl of salad, and basket of garlic bread into the dining room. Edith had set the table before his arrival, his roses now serving as the centerpiece.

Gretchen smiled when Edith cut a large slice of the lasagna for her.

“This looks and smells incredible, Edith,” Gretchen said. “I can’t remember the last time I had lasagna.”

“What?” Edith asked. “I thought you said this was your favorite meal?”

“It is. It’s just…I mean…” Gretchen stammered slightly. “What I should have said is, I can’t remember the last time I had homemade lasagna. My cooking skills are limited, so the best I could ever manage was heating up the Stouffer’s kind.”

Theo wasn’t sure how he knew she was lying, but his gut told him she was. Which left him to wonder why Gretchen would deprive herself of what was clearly her favorite meal, as she took a huge bite.

They continued their conversation from the kitchen, each of them regaling Gretchen with stories of past Fall Harvest Festivals.

“Before I forget,” Theo said to Gretchen. “We’re on for dinner next Friday. Mom was excited when I mentioned having you over, so we can all get to know you better. Since the weather’s been nice, we thought we’d take advantage of it by cooking out.”

“Oh,” Gretchen said. “You don’t have to do that.”

“We want to. And I’m looking forward to showing off my mad skills.”

“Mad skills?” she asked.

“I am king of the grill, master of the coals.” Theo had already invited Edith, so he turned to Manny. “You’re welcome to join us as well.”

“Aw thanks, Theo, but I’ve got plans Friday night,” Manny replied.

“What plans?” Edith asked.

Manny rolled his eyes. “I told you, I’m doing dinner in D.C. with some friends. She never listens to me,” he added, shaking his head.

“I listen fine. The trick these days is remembering.” Edith tapped the side of her head. “You wait until you’re eighty-two years old, young man,” she admonished Manny, who grinned at being called a young man, considering he was pushing sixty.

“The menu is going to be your basic cookout fare,” Theo said. “Hamburgers, hot dogs, deviled eggs, corn on the cob.”

“I’ll bring my macaroni salad,” Edith chimed in.

“I was hoping you’d offer.” Theo took a sip of his wine. “I’ll never say no to your macaroni salad.”

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