Page 25 of Dear Henry, Love Edith
“What?” Henry paused, one hand gripping the doorknob.
She looked at him expectantly. “You did forget, didn’t you?”
Henry looked over to the calendar on the wall, saw the date circled in red, and groaned. “No.”
“Yes.” Peg smiled and he could all too well imagine what she must have looked like as a little girl in pigtails, taking joy in a brother’s misery. “So you’re going to need to pick up that monkey suit of yours from the dry cleaner’s and give yourself plenty of time to get all gussied up. Cocktails start at five o’clock sharp. No being late. Not to this one.” She aimed a pink polished arthritic finger at him. “And don’t forget the checkbook.”
“Can’t we just mail them a check?”
Peg’s glare took the temperature of the room down another twenty degrees. Henry held his hands up. “I’m kidding.” Sort of. He knew part of his dad’s legacy in this town was due to his generous nature, not just his painting and carpentry skills. His brother had carried it on until he retired, and now it was Henry’s turn. He just wished the legacy didn’t require wearing a tuxedo. “Did we donate something for the silent auction?”
“We most certainly did.” Peg’s lips twisted to the side in what he recognized as her attempt not to smile—or gloat.
“What did we donate?”
“The usual.”
Free estimates and 20percent off shouldn’t make her eyes sparkle that much. “Anything else?”
“Only something sure to bring in a generous bid.” Her shoulders shook. “A dance with you.”
He’d ask if she was joking but her rosy cheeks and schoolgirl giggle told him she wasn’t. “I can’t dance.” He was still getting used to walking.
“What were you expecting to do downtown in the historical district?”
“Uh,not dance.”
She swiped her palm through the air. “If you’ve been given the all clear to get out of the office, I’m sure you can handle waddling back and forth for one little song tonight. You know how many women in this town would kill to get wrapped up in your arms? Why, Gladys alone would take out a second mortgage just for the chance.”
“Isn’t Gladys wheelchair-bound?”
“You can sit on her lap.” Peg cackled. “She’ll spin you around.”
Henry rubbed his forehead. He supposed he should be glad only the geriatrics of this town found him attractive. At least he stood a chance of keeping up with one of them on the dance floor.
The phone rang. “Well?” Peg paused in reaching for it. “What are you still doing here? I thought you said you were getting out of my hair.” She threw him a wink and answered the phone.
“Hobbes Painting and Construction,” Henry heard her say as he closed the door behind him, not feeling quite as chipper as when he had entered. The annual community benefit gala was not what he had in mind for his first day out of the office.
Edith walked into the banquet hall of Valley View Country Club and discreetly tugged at her bodice. Maybe she shouldhave chosen the more conservative black dress. This red one showed off her every curve—curves she had practically forgotten she had until the young shop owner saw her in the dress and said,“Yowza!”
Between that exclamation and the extra 30percent off, Edith hadn’t been able to resist.
Now, as Edith cast a shy glance around the room, she hoped she wasn’t overdressed. Although, with a neckline that dipped further than she was accustomed to, she might be underdressed more than anything.
“Edith.” Sharon’s eyes lit up as she strode toward her. “You look amazing.”
“Is it too much?” Edith asked. “I wasn’t sure how formal tonight was.”
“It’s perfect.” Sharon squeezed her hand. “I should make you give the speech tonight. We’d probably get all the donations we need for the next five years.”
Edith yanked her hand out of Sharon’s. “I don’t do speeches. Ever. I’m a nervous sneezer.”
Sharon laughed, but Edith wasn’t joking. “C’mon,” Sharon said, leading her across the room. “Let’s grab a drink. There’s a few people I’d like to introduce you to before the dance starts.”
“Dance?”
“Oh yes. And with a dress like that, you better be wearing your dancing shoes. The boys are going to be lining up to twirl you across the floor, I can guarantee you that much.”
