Page 46 of Pinch of Love
“Fresh coffee has arrived.” Abby pointed behind her.
I chuckled and shook my head. “That’s not all that arrived.”
“I couldn’t help myself. When Millie told me what happened and then I spotted this stuffed animal at the hardware store, I just had to get it.”
I grinned and shook my head. “Of course you did.”
Abby pulled a chair closer as Millie sat next to Grace. “It’s yours. You can take it home.”
“Thanks,” I said wryly.
“In all seriousness, did you actually get stuck in a wall, and Cash had to pull you out?”
“Yup.” I nodded. “Gracefulness does not run in our family in spite of Grace’s name.”
Abby chuckled, clutching her book on her lap. “Hey, Grace. Did you ever tell your sister about Jackson having to dig that thing out of your butt?”
My eyes widened as I turned and gaped at my sister. “Pardon me?”
Grace rolled her eyes. “Don’t try to deflect your purchase of a chipmunk,” she told Abby.
“You can’t leave me hanging,” I protested.
“It was a splinter. Completely innocent.” Grace held up her hands.
Grandma Millie chimed in with a tsk-tsk and a wiggle of her finger. “Not when you hear Jackson Jr. tell it.”
“Seriously?” Grace huffed. “When have you heard him tell it, Grandma?”
“Many times.” My grandma didn’t look a day over sixty-five even though she was over eighty. But her perfectly styled white hair, hoop earrings, sparkle in her eyes, and matching hot-pink outfit told a different narrative. She always declared that a person was only as old as they felt and so far, she still felt young.
“Okay, everyone.” A woman stood from the circle of chairs. “We should start by introducing Grace’s sister to everyone.”
Not expecting the introduction, I froze and stared at the group of women all staring back at me. I raised my hand and did a quick wave. As if a wave of dominos took hold, each woman smiled before the next.
“Welcome back to Buttercup Lake,” the woman continued. “I’m Bonnie. I kind of head up this whole reading club.”
I nodded, seeing the kindness rest behind her gaze.
“Thanks for having me.” I slid my hands over my book and prayed that was all the intro I’d need to do.
Bonnie smiled and ducked her head. “Okay, let’s chat about our heroine who seems to have one bad luck event after another.”
Grandma Millie popped up. “I don’t think it’s bad luck. I think this woman got tricked by this man, fell in love while hoping to escape her past, and now she’s stuck.”
Bonnie nodded and looked surprised as several of the women agreed with quick nods.
“And it’s going to take something big to smack her on the side of the head and make her wake up.”
I suddenly wasn’t sure whether my grandma was talking about the heroine or me.
“And if this scumbag thinks he can take advantage of Anastasia...” she continued.
Phew, that was the character’s name.
“I’d like to see him try. In fact, I welcome him to the lake.”
Bonnie cleared her throat and glanced at Grace and me while Grandma Millie looked revved up and ready for a brawl.