Page 9 of That One Heartbreak
“Oh, and has anybody come about those birds on the roof? They made such a noise last week I couldn’t hear myself think.”
Couldn’t hear the gossip more like. Kate shrugged. “I put a call in to county, but there’s a backlog on their bird removal service.”
“Damn.” Mary frowned. “I guess we should try a little poisoned seed.”
Over Kate’s dead body. “I’m sure they’ll come eventually. In the meantime, I’ve made sure all the windows are shut.”
“Good plan.” Mary nodded, about to turn away. Then she tipped her head and looked Kate dead in the eye.
“You look different.”
“I do?”
“Hmmm.” Mary’s overgrown brows pulled tightly together. “Have you changed your lipstick?”
“No.” Mostly because she wasn’t wearing any.
“Done your hair then? Is it a different color? You look…” Mary pressed her lips together. “Attractive.”
Oh God, she wasn’t going to laugh. How could somebody make a compliment sound more like an accusation?
“Thank you.”
“It wasn’t a compliment, dear.”
Of course it wasn’t.
“Maybe it’s time you started thinking about dating again,” Mary said to her.
“I’m sorry?” Kate’s brows pinched together.
“We were talking about it while we were knitting last week. There are a lot of eligible men in Hartson’s Creek. And a woman shouldn’t be on her own for too long.”
Kate frowned. “Have you been talking to my mom?”
“No, why? Should I?” Mary pressed her lips together.
Absolutely not. Having her mom trying to set her up was bad enough. Having Mary taking an interest in her lack-of-dating life was something that wasn’t going to happen.
“I’m still deep in grief,” Kate said, leaning forward, putting on her best sad looking face.
“A good man will get you out of that, dear,” Mary said, patting her hand. “I read an article in a magazine the other day. Sex is good for sadness.”
Okay this was going too far. Dating was one thing. Talking about sex with the head honcho of the Stitch and Snitchers? No thanks.
The door opened and Shana walked in, carrying two Styrofoam cups of coffee, followed by a huddle of ladies carrying sewing cases, already talking loudly as they walked in. Luckily, their arrival diverted Mary’s attention, and Kate used the opportunity to walk back to the counter where Shana was standing.
“Quick,” she said, her voice low. “Ask me something about the Dewey Decimal system.”
“Stitch and Snitch getting you down?”
“Something like that.”
“Good thing I bought you a coffee then,” Shana said, grinning. “I got them to put an extra shot in it. Figured you’d need the caffeine.”
“Have I told you lately that I love you?” Kate said, taking the coffee gratefully.
“Stop quoting Van Morrison at me. You know it always makes me weak in the knees.” Shana watched as the Stitchers filed into the recreation room. “So what gives?”