Page 33 of Once Upon a Holidate
“Good,” Wynn said. “I’ll give her your contact info. I’ll be getting the paper in first thing tomorrow and I can drop it off.”
“Why will you get the paper?”
“I have a graphics and printing business in town. Natalie is ordering the supplies through me.”
Joylyn stared at her. “You own your own business?”
“I have for about ten years. Ever since Hunter and I moved here.”
“But you’re a single mom.”
“That’s true. I was never married.”
Hunter looked at his mom. “She does great, but if she wanted to get married, that would be good, too.” He grinned. “Maybe you’d like to date someone who lives by the golf course.” He turned to Joylyn. “Most of those houses have big swimming pools.”
She laughed. “So you don’t care about your mom’s happiness—just getting a pool?”
“Why not have both?”
“You are weird.” She stood. “Come on. Let’s clear the table, then we can go play video games. I bet I can beat you again.”
“You didn’t beat me. I let you win because you’re new. Tonight there’s no mercy.”
Garrick was more caught up in the fact that Joylyn was being pleasant and voluntarily helping.
It took them only a few minutes to get the leftovers into the refrigerator and disappear down the hall. He watched them go before returning his attention to Wynn.
“You worked a miracle.”
“I’d love to take credit, but I didn’t do anything.”
“She was almost nice.”
Rather than smile, Wynn shifted in her seat. “I’m going to say something that may get me in trouble.”
“I doubt that.”
“You haven’t heard what it is yet.” She moved her wineglass around the table. “Garrick, you need to have expectations when it comes to your daughter. Joylyn is pregnant, but she’s not sick. She can do something around here. Tell her she has to cook two meals a week and, I don’t know, manage the grocery shopping. Whatever. You can come up with the list, but don’t let her just sit on her butt and brood all day. It’s not good for her.”
“You’re right,” he said, wishing he’d thought of that himself. “She should do more. I don’t look forward to the fight, but it’s the right thing to do.”
She stared at him, as if waiting for more. “That’s it?”
“What else do you want me to say?”
“I don’t know. I thought you’d be mad.”
“Why? You’re helping. You gave her a job. You have good advice.” He held up the wineglass. “I have dishes because of you. Even more important, you’re raising a great kid. Of course I’m going to listen to you.”
“Thank you. I just think she’ll be happier when she has more to do.”
“I’d like that. Not just for me but for her. She’s really different these days. She’s constantly in tears. I know she misses Chandler, but I worry she’s too emotional. She was always so easygoing as a kid.”
“I think the word you’re looking for is indulged.”
“So harsh,” he teased, then glanced at her empty glass. “More wine?”
“Thanks, but I need to get Hunter home. It’s a school night.”
