Hightail It to Kinsey Falls Page 3

  “Nothing doing. We’ll take him. I’ll drive. You hold Perry.”

  “Deal.” He grinned. “Tell you what—meet me here when I get off work at five this afternoon. We’ll check on Perry, grab a bite to eat, and decide then who gets to keep him for the night. Unless the rehab people call and want us to get him there right away.”

  “All right.”

  * * *

  Jade was tidying up the knitting room when Millie breezed in. She could hear her grandmother talking with Terri.

  “Be right there, Grandma,” Jade called.

  “…cutest little thing!” Millie was gushing when Jade entered the room. “And Caleb has fixed Perry the nicest temporary home. One of the local veterinarians stopped by Hightail It! and loaned—”

  “I take it the Knight in Shining Denim has struck again?” Jade asked wryly.

  “Indeed, he has,” said Millie. “And be as sarcastic as you want, but Caleb is a gem. I think the world of him.”

  Jade shrugged one shoulder. “He didn’t seem that great to me.”

  Millie frowned. “When did you meet him?”

  “I went over there to see that possum.” And to try to convince that guy you aren’t out of your mind, Jade added silently.

  “And did you see it? Isn’t it adorable?”

  “I didn’t see it. I had all I could take of Caleb before we got to the back of the store, so I told him I needed to leave,” she said. “He didn’t tell you I’d been there?”

  “Nope. We just talked about Perry and made plans for dinner this evening.”

  Jade’s jaw dropped. “You what?”

  “We’re going to have dinner later and decide what to do with Perry over the weekend. The shop is closed tomorrow.”

  Jade blinked.

  “Are you kidding me?” Terri asked. “You got a date with this guy? I’ve got to see him now.”

  “I wouldn’t call it a date,” Millie said, trying but failing to keep her lips from curving into a smile. “We’re simply meeting to discuss what to do with the baby possum until we can take Perry to the wildlife rehab center.”

  “Wait—until we take Perry? Who’s we?”

  “Caleb and I. Keep up, Jade.”

  “I have so got to see this guy. Hold down the fort, Jade. I’m going to buy Mocha a toy.”

  “Terri—”

  Jade’s attempt to keep Terri in Nothin’ But Knit fell on deaf ears. She turned back to her grandmother. “You don’t even know this guy.”

  “Sure, I do. We’re bonding over a possum.”

  Greta came by to collect Terri just before Nothin’ But Knit closed.

  “I’ve reserved us a spot in the library because I thought we might need a computer.”

  Terri merely nodded, not mentioning that anything they could look up on the computer Terri could check on her phone. “I’m sure we can work quickly. Do you have any plans for later this evening?”

  “Millie and I had talked about getting some food and watching a movie, but she had something come up.”

  Terri tried unsuccessfully to hide a grin as Jade slammed the cash register drawer closed.

  “I guess I could go over to the party in the atrium tonight,” Greta said. “Are you planning to go?”

  “Yes, but it’s a young professionals’ gathering, Greta. It isn’t a…a joint affair like the grand opening celebration.”

  “I know. But I was invited.”

  Behind Greta’s back, Terri rolled her eyes at Jade. Jade simply shook her head. Why wouldn’t Greta be invited to the mixer? After all, her grandmother was dining out with the gorgeous pet shop guy right now. Maybe they were living in some sort of parallel universe, and Terri and Jade simply weren’t aware of it yet. Maybe handsome old guys would be stopping by Nothin’ But Knit any minute to sweep them off their feet.

  Terri and Greta headed for the library, and Jade closed up the shop.

  Later that evening, Jade was home on the sofa watching Downton Abbey while Mocha snoozed on the ottoman. Jade was knitting white bookmarks to be given away at the upcoming grand opening celebration. Once the knitting was complete, she threaded thin ribbon in a contrasting color—purple, pink, blue, red, yellow, or green—throughout the bookmarks to attach a Nothin’ But Knit business card to each one.

  She’d hoped to have added about ten to her collection tonight, but she was finding it difficult to concentrate on her knitting or the Dowager Countess. All she could think about was Millie. Millie and Caleb.

  Their working together to save the life of a wild animal was one thing…she guessed. But wasn’t talking about the animal over dinner going a little too far? What could they possibly have to talk about? To Jade, it was simple. Either her grandmother or Caleb would keep the possum and hopefully help it stay alive until one of them—one of them—could take it to the wildlife rescue on Monday. That was a five-minute conversation at most.

  Something else Jade didn’t get was why they both needed to transport the possum to Elizabethton. She hadn’t gone with Caleb to look at the thing, but just how big could it be? Was it truly large enough to warrant a two-person transport team? Jade didn’t think so.

  Jade knew nothing about Caleb, and neither did Millie. Sure, Terri came back from the pet shop with a package of foil balls for Mocha and a squealy account of how gorgeous and charming Caleb was. But Jade had plenty of experience with handsome guys—all of it bad.

  She remembered when she was in high school with her braces and glasses, how red she’d turn when one of the football players would speak to her. It was a game to them. Who could flirt with skinny, mousy Jade Burt and be the first to make her blush that day? Then they’d all laugh at her mortification while they gave each other high-fives. And that didn’t even skim the surface of what Blake had done.

  Handsome, charming guys were users. They took what they wanted and didn’t care who they hurt. She wondered what Caleb wanted from her grandmother. Was he a con man? Did he prey on lonely older women and take money from them? The thought of Caleb taking advantage of Millie made Jade furious. That man had better think twice before making her grandma a target.

  She put aside her knitting and grabbed her purse and car keys. She needed to talk with Terri.

  Chapter Four

  ◊

  Millie studied Caleb from across the dimly-lit steakhouse table. He was eating his third buttered roll. Ah, to have the metabolism of a twenty-something again.

  He looked a bit sheepish as he pushed the basket containing the last remaining roll toward her. “You should try these. They’re really good.”

  “I’ll take your word for it,” she said with a smile.

  “I feel like I’m being a pig.”

  “I’m glad you have a healthy appetite.”

  “Thanks for suggesting this place,” he said. “I like it.”

  “You’ve never eaten here before?”

  “Once or twice, but I don’t make it a habit.”

  Of course, Millie thought. Graduate student. “Well, tonight is my treat.”

  “Oh, no, ma’am. I wouldn’t dream of having you pay for my dinner. That’s not why I asked you to eat with me. We’re here to discuss Perry.”

  “And we’re here discussing Perry because of me.”

  “You were kind enough to pick him up and bring him in. Most people would’ve passed right by,” said Caleb.

  “I’m certainly not most people.”

  “Besides, I…” He shrugged. “I don’t know. I hate eating alone.”

  “I know you said there was no Mrs. Caleb. Isn’t there a Mrs. Caleb wannabe?”

  “Not anymore. I was seeing a girl, but she was… Well, she and I didn’t really click. So, we broke up.”

  “Recently?”

  He nodded. “Worst part is she lives at the Community Center.”

  “Ah. You still have to see her?”

  “Not often.”

  “But it hurts when you do?” Millie asked gently.

  “It’s not that as much as it’s just awkward. I should’ve used better judgment when it came to dating someone who lived in the same apartment building.”

  So, would that be a strike against Jade? She didn’t live at the Community Center, but would Caleb distance himself because he didn’t want to date someone who worked in the building? Slow down, Millie. You’re getting ahead of yourself.

  “What about you?” Caleb asked. “Are you seeing anyone?” At her raised brows, he chuckled. “I didn’t mean it that way. I just hope I didn’t interrupt any plans you had.”

  “I was planning to eat dinner in front of the television with a friend. But we can do that anytime. It’s not everyday one rescues a possum.”

  He laughed. “Let’s hope not anyway.”

  She realized she hadn’t answered his question, so she said, “I’m not seeing anyone. Do you have a rich uncle or someone in mind for me?”

  “‘Fraid not.” He sipped his soda. “And I get the feeling you were trying to fix me up with your granddaughter, but I don’t think she’s interested.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  “She came in earlier today to talk with me about the baby possum. I asked her if she’d like to see Perry, and she said yes.” He flipped his palms. “We were making small talk when she just bolted. I don’t know if it was something I said or what.”

  “Don’t think another thing about it,” said Millie. “Jade has always been a little backward. It takes her a while to warm up to new people.”

  Their food arrived then—salmon for Millie and a thick steak for Caleb. The waitress lingered, asking Caleb to cut into his steak to make sure it was satisfactory. Millie noticed how the woman’s eyes rested on him. Caleb seemed clueless,
but she doubted he was. He had to know how handsome he was.

  He asked for a refill on his soda, and the young woman scurried off to get it.

  They ate in silence until his soda was delivered. Then he asked her if she was retired.

  “I am,” said Millie. “I spent thirty years as the office manager for my husband’s dental practice.”

  “That explains your beautiful smile.” He raised his glass. “To great teeth.”

  She laughed. “You are a charmer. I’ll give you that.” She wondered if he broke off the recent relationship or if the girl did. Either way, she was torn between feeling sad for the end of that romance and hopeful Caleb and Jade would somehow hit it off. “Did you grow up around here?”

  “About three hours from here…a little town called Maynardville, Tennessee.”

  “And how’d you end up in Kinsey Falls?” Millie asked.

  “I went to Old Dominion University and got my bachelor’s degree in public service. And then I kinda ran out of money, and I didn’t want to have student loans hanging over my head half my life.”

  “I can certainly understand that.”

  “My college roommate was from Kinsey Falls, and in fact, his dad owns Hightail It!. So, after I graduated, I came here to work—cheaper cost of living, most everything I need is under one roof—and I take my graduate classes, two at a time, online.”

  “It sounds like you have an excellent head on your shoulders.”

  “Thanks,” he said with a smile.

  “Old Dominion is in Norfolk, isn’t it? Do you miss it?”

  “I miss the beach and Chesapeake Bay, not that I got to spend all that much time there. But Kinsey Falls is beautiful too. I’m really looking forward to seeing this wildlife rescue center in Elizabethton. I bet there’s some great hiking trails nearby.”

  They finished their meal and walked outside to get into Millie’s Mercedes.

  “Ms. Fairchild, how many teeth did you have to put under your pillow for the tooth fairy to bring you that?” he asked.

  “All the baby teeth in Kinsey Falls.” She laughed. “Wanna drive us home?”

  “Yes, ma’am!”

  She tossed him the keys.

  * * *

  When Terri hadn’t answered her phone, Jade guessed her friend had decided to go to the mixer. She arrived at the atrium to the pounding beat of pop music. She looked around nervously at groups of people standing to the side of what had apparently been designated the dance floor. There were some couples—and a few singletons—dancing, but most people were participating in yelled conversations. A refreshment table had been set up near the DJ.

  She didn’t know any of these people. How would she pick Terri out in this crowd? Terri and Jade had their social awkwardness in common—it’s why they’d gravitated to each other during that first horrible year in middle school. Terri might not even be here. She should probably go.

  As she turned to leave, she caught sight of the back of an auburn head with plum-colored highlights.

  Was that really Greta? Had she actually crashed the YP party?

  “Hidey-ho, darlins!”

  She had.

  Jade cringed for Greta. The woman was about to get told—likely in the nastiest of terms—that she wasn’t welcome here.

  But the group Greta addressed was welcoming her. A handsome young man with sandy hair slung his arm around her shoulders. That’s when Jade noticed that Terri was walking behind Greta.

  “…the best, Greta. Thanks!”

  Jade placed her hand on Terri’s arm, causing her friend to start.

  “Jade! You decided to come. I’m so glad.”

  With an incredulous frown, Jade nodded toward Greta, who was addressing the good-looking guy.

  “Well, now, Justin, I know you don’t particularly care for the gluten free, low-carb fare—lucky you for not having to watch your weight yet. I made you a chocolate chip cake. Half of it is in this cake pan with the brownies, and the other half is at my place waiting for you to come and get it.”

  “Yes!” He hugged Greta. “Here, I’ll put those on the dessert table, and I’ll be right back.” He took the cake pan and headed toward the refreshments.

  “You look pretty,” a dark-haired girl with bright blue eyes told Greta.

  “Oh, sweetie, thank you. You look gorgeous.”

  “How are you doing on that hibiscus tea?” the girl asked.

  “I’m still good for now. I’ll let you know when I need more.”

  Justin returned as the DJ fired up a slow song. He grabbed Greta’s hand. “Dance with me.”

  “Can you waltz?” Greta asked.

  “Heck, yeah. I was top of my class in cotillion.” Greta laughed as she allowed the young man to lead her onto the dance floor.

  Jade and Terri looked on in astonishment.

  “Parallel universe,” Jade muttered.

  “Isn’t he a dream?” the dark-haired girl said. “He treats Greta like she’s his aunt or something.”

  When Justin and Greta returned from their dance, Greta was saying she didn’t particularly care for that guy’s music.

  “He never sings anything upbeat and happy.” Greta noticed them. “Oh, hi. Terri and Jade, this is Justin and Kelsey. These girls own the knitting shop downstairs.”

  “Knitting shop?” Justin echoed. “Greta, do you knit?”

  “I sure do.”

  “You’re the total package—you bake, you knit. Is there anything you can’t do?”

  Greta grinned all over her happy little face. “Not much, darlin’. I’ll make you a pretty scarf come winter—you too, Kelsey. You’ll just have to let me know what colors you’d like.”

  Terri said, “If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to get a bottle of water.”

  “Me too.” Jade fell into step beside Terri. “Are you having fun?”

  “No.”

  As soon as they were far enough away from Greta and her millennial friends, Jade asked, “Then can we please get out of here?”

  “Not fast enough,” said Terri. “I think we’re in an episode of the freakin’ Twilight Zone.”

  Terri unlocked her door and turned on the lights. Jade was still surprised that all the apartments—despite having the exact same floorplan and much of the same furniture—could look so different. Each apartment was furnished with a brown leather sofa, chair, and ottoman in the living room, a maple four-chair table in the kitchen, and a double bed with drawers underneath it for storage. Millie had decorated hers to be classy and minimalist. Terri’s was modern and shabby chic. And Greta’s place was bold and bright.

  “Want a drink?” Terri asked.

  “I could go for a bottle of water.” She sank onto the sofa.

  Terri brought them each a bottle of water and sat down beside Jade. “I was so uncomfortable and claustrophobic in that crowd. And, yet, Greta breezed in there like she’d known those people all her life.”

  “Grandma has that easy way about her too. I mean, this morning, she found a baby possum, and this evening she’s on a date with her fellow rescuer.”

  “Are you worried it’s an actual date?”

  “No. Not really. I mean—” She sighed. “I don’t want Grandma to fall for some sweet-talking con man.”

  “Millie is smarter than that.”

  “You’d think. But smart, lonely women get taken in by scammers all the time.”

  “Still, Jade, this guy didn’t seek Millie out. He didn’t target her like some random stalker or something.”

  “I know. I’m probably just overreacting.” She sighed. “Did you and Greta make any progress on the party planning?”

  “We did, actually. I asked Greta what types of things the seniors would enjoy. She got a little huffy and said there were a ton of things both groups would enjoy.”

  “Like what? Making brownies for the YPs?” She shook her head. “Sorry. I’m just in a bad mood. So, what did you come up with?”

  “Bingo.”

  “Bingo?” Jade echoed. “Well, that is good for the golden oldies.”

  “Well, that’s what I thought, but when Greta started talking about it, I realized it could be good for everybody.”

  Jade started humming the theme from the Twilight Zone.

  “I’m serious,” Terri said. “Greta suggested getting Community Center vendors to donate prizes.”

  “That does sound like a good idea.”