Page 17 of A Touch of Spring Magic

“I knew it,” Jessica verbally pounced. “I knew it. You found the book and returned it.” Relief whooshed through her.

“My dear, I’m not sure what you are so shook up about. Chloe mentioned some interesting recipes and you do like to cook and bake, far more than Chloe although Rustin has been a steadying influence on her, and she provides the light and warmth and unyielding love and adoration he so desperately needs.”

“Don’t give me that look. Chloe’s loved up. Good for her. You’ll get a great-grandbaby in a few years, and Meghan and Sarah and I are off the hook.”

“A hook. That’s so dramatic, and I fail to see how a book of recipes has anything to do with…loved up I believe you said.”

“Ha.” Jessica bit into her scone. “It’s calledSouthern Love Spells, and I wouldn’t put it past you to have snuck it into your mini outdoor library to trip Chloe up.”

“The thought of trying to trip up Chloe, when she’s forever falling over something.” Grandma Millie shook her head. “Since when did I become so sneaky?” Grandma Millie asked drily and regarded Jessica, making Jessica squirm a little like she was seven again and had misbehaved in church.

“The book is not magic,” she stated. It couldn’t be. Grandma Millie wouldn’t condone such a thing in her house. Would she?

“If the book is not magic, why were you so eager to discard it at the thrift shop before dawn?”

“You brought it back,” she accused. “I knew Trina was messing with me.”

What did you think had happened—it flew back and through your kitchen window?

She leaned back in her chair, picking up the tea that rattled a bit in the saucer. Her hands shook—the excitement of being able to stay in the farmhouse, build a business. Perhaps one or more of her sisters would like to move up there with her. It wouldn’t be lonely then, and she would stop thinking about getting a dog for company and protection.

Grandma Millie didn’t confirm or deny, but regarded her steadily.

“If the book isn’t magic, why are you afraid to use it?”

“I use recipes from the internet when I cook,” Jessica said, although since she lived alone, she didn’t do as much cooking unless she was hosting her sisters or friends for a dinner party. “I don’t want to use recipes from some random family.”

She side-eyed Grandma Millie, hoping to catch a clue as to the book’s origins. Even last night, the four of them had speculated with no drawn conclusions.

“Meghan is convinced the book is a family heirloom,” Grandma Millie said as she sipped her tea.

“Meghan’s an attorney—she’s always looking for dirt.”

“And an accountant’s not?”

Grandma Millie always knew how to land a barb with a smile. She also excelled at deflecting conversation yet steering it where she wanted it to go.

“An accountant is looking for clarity,” Jessica said, “and I’m not an accountant anymore.”

“You have done some pro bono work for several organizations in town, and I believe you still do Chloe’s taxes and I’m sure Chloe guilted you into helping Rebekah over at the Wild Side set up their accounting and inventory systems. You’ll still keep a hand in, I’m sure. And of course extra income is always welcome, especially if your outlay is greater than anticipated due to rushing to prepare for a special event for a beloved sister.”

A laugh burbled up. No secrets from Grandma Millie. “You know me too well, GM.”

“Can we ever know anyone too well?” Grandma Millie mused. “Is there ever really too much time?”

*

Jessica was stillunsettled by Grandma Millie’s parting comment later that afternoon when Brent Stevens showed up. She wasn’t surprised, but she wished that she wasn’t wearing waders and standing in what had once been an ‘ornamental pond’ that now was black and reeked. She dug out fistfuls of rotting vegetation.

“That’s a stinky, messy job.”

Fabulous. Of course he arrives now.

She wondered if he’d still be smiling that beautiful golden boy smile if she flung a fistful of duckweed at him.

“It’smymessy job.”

“Twelve years, nothing’s changed.”

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