Page 61 of Threads of Kindness
“The thing I’d most like to do is spend time with Julia. Can you bring her to Rosemont after we’re done here?” Maggie’s eyes sparkled. “Since you’re finally feeling good again, why don’t we keep her overnight? You and Aaron can take our reservation at Stuart’s, and I’ll make something at home.”
“Oh, Mom, that’s so nice. But I don’t want to interfere with John’s plans for your Valentine’s Day.”
Maggie rolled her eyes. “You know as well as I do that there is no person on the face of this earth he would rather spend an evening with than his granddaughter. We can go to Stuart’s anytime.” She took her daughter’s hand. “I know how miserably sick you’ve been, honey. I’d love to give you and Aaron a chance to enjoy yourselves without worrying about Julia.”
Susan pressed back into her seat, a smile spreading across her face like kindling catching flame. “Honestly, Mom, I can’t think of anything we’d like better.”
“It’s a plan, then,” Maggie said. “Now let’s get inside. I don’t want to miss Anita’s remarks. I hope this cold weather doesn’t keep the turnout down. She’s put in a lot of effort.”
“I had the same thought,” Susan said. “So I called our book club members the day before yesterday. All of them are going to attend.”
Maggie grinned at her daughter. “I adore the way the women of Westbury support each other.”
CHAPTER 31
Anita stopped at the information desk inside the main entrance to the Highpointe College library.
The young woman behind the desk greeted her with a warm smile. “You’re Miss Archer, aren’t you?”
“Yes,” Anita said, surprised. “How did you know?”
“I recognize you from your photo in the exhibit hall.”
“Oh,” Anita replied. “I didn’t think anyone would pay attention to that.”
“Lots of people have gone through the exhibit. I went on the first day. It was absolutely fascinating! I told my mom about it, and she brought my grandmother and my aunt. We all loved it.”
Anita placed a hand on her chest. “That’s nice to hear,” she said.
“Everyone who works here has seen it. And lots of other people, too. You must be here for the grand opening.”
“I am,” Anita said, unzipping her heavy coat and pulling the scarf from around her neck.
“If I didn’t have to work at the desk, I’d attend your talk.”
“Will your family be here, do you think?”
“Mom and Grandma had planned to come,” the young woman said, “but it’s too cold for Grandma to go outside. She lives with us, and Mom can’t leave her alone for that long.”
Anita cast a worried glance over her shoulder at Gordon.
“I’m sure plenty of people will come out to hear you speak, sweetheart,” he said.
“The library set up chairs and a podium,” the young woman added. “Someone delivered snacks this morning, too. Normally those aren’t allowed in the library, but Sunday okayed it. She said they’re a surprise for you.”
Gordon placed his hand on the small of Anita’s back. “Let’s go see that surprise,” he said, steering her toward the exhibition space.
A red velvet rope cordoned off the entrance. Five rows of ten chairs faced a wooden podium. The only person inside the exhibit was Sunday. She leaned over a rectangular table covered with a black tablecloth. A crystal vase filled with red roses sat at the center of the table. Sunday was removing decorated sugar cookies from bakery boxes stamped with theLaura’s Bakerylogo and placing them onto silver trays.
Gordon unhooked the rope, and Anita preceded him into the exhibit.
Sunday turned to them. “Good morning! Are you excited about today?” She walked over and held out her hands for their coats and scarves. “I’ll stash these in a closet near the staff break room. My goodness—you look fabulous,” she said to Anita. “That red dress fits you to a T.”
Anita smiled. “Given the business I’m in, my clothes have to be perfectly tailored.”
“I guess that’s true.” Sunday chuckled. “It’s an excellent advertisement for your services.” She turned to Gordon and took in his black suit, white shirt, red tie, and red pocket square.“You’re dapper, too. You both look like you’re straight out of an advertisement for a swanky restaurant on Valentine’s Day.”
“Thank you,” he said. “I’ve got a tough act to keep up with.” He winked at Anita.
