Page 11 of No Rings Attached
I was her boss.
We worked extremely well together and it wouldn’t be wise to upset that balance. No matter how insanely attractive she was. Or how sweet and kind she’d always been to me. And definitely not when I was finally making my mark on the family business. I didn’t have time for a relationship right now.
My phone rang from where I’d thrown it on the console of the truck.
Glamma.
“My grandmother,” I explained as I tapped the speakerphone wishing I’d brought my earbuds. “Hi?—”
“Drew. Thank God. I’ve been calling nonstop since we hung up. Are you okay? What happened to the car in the middle of the road?”
Ellie stiffened beside me. Glamma was loud through the speaker.
“Heads up. You’re on speaker. I’ve got the owner of that car here with me. I’m taking her to the B&B. Ellie, say hi to Glamma.”
“Hi, Glamma? Uh, Mrs. Kingsley,” she stammered.
“Mrs. Kingsley was my mother-in-law. I’m Glamma to everyone in town.” She paused. “I thought you were arriving tomorrow, dear?”
I bet the B&B owner, Martha, Glamma’s BFF, had spilled the beans.
“I was.” Elle groaned. “But I’d wanted to make a good impression by getting here early.” Then she muttered under her breath something like, “So much for that.”
“Well, dear, as the official Welcome Committee Chair, we’re excited to have you in Ruby River! If you need anything, Glamma will take care of it.”
I was pretty sure by tomorrow afternoon Glamma and her crew would have dropped off a large gift basket of everything Elliemightneed.
“Thank you so much. That’s very kind of you.” Ellie turned to me with grateful eyes. She strove for excellence at work, and I felt the pain of her botched first impression in my soul.
I rested my hand on her shoulder encouragingly as Glamma prattled on. “It’s no trouble at all,” she insisted. “I’ll call ahead and let Martha know you’re on your way so she can freshen up your room. Drew, did you get a hold of Adam?”
“I did,” I answered—at the same time Ellie said, “He’s in front of us, driving my car on his flatbed.”
“Well, that’s nice of Drew to drive you in. I bet it’s more comfortable there than in the tow truck.” There was a speculative undertone to Glamma’s voice. We both knew Adam’s truck was nicer than this one.
“It’s perfect.” Ellie was clearly lying. This truck was a beater.
Before Glamma could say anything else, I cut in. “We’re only a few minutes away. You might want to give Martha the heads up now.”
She let out a noncommittal hum. One that implied she’d have questions for me later. Questions I didn’t know how to answer. “I look forward to meeting you tomorrow, Ellie. Martha makes the most amazing meals. You’re in for a real treat.”
“Thank you for the warm welcome, Mrs.—”
My grandmothertsked.
“I mean, Glamma.”
“That’s better. You two be careful and I’ll see you soon.”
“Yes, ma’am. Bye, Glamma.”
I ended the call. Ellie glanced over at me, and when our gazes connected, I offered her a tentative smile. “By tomorrow the news of your arrival will already be spreading.”
Her forehead creased. “Why?”
“I take it you’ve never lived in a small town.”
Ellie shook her head.
