Sleigh Bells - Fern Michaels Page 0,24
about that. And, you’re right, Angie, what you do come January is none of my business. I guess I thought…When I told you about leaving, I guess I thought you should have told me about your plans, too. You really should tell your mother. Don’t do what I did with my old man.”
Somewhat mollified, Angie unfolded her arms and stared at the man sitting on the stool. She licked her lips. “I thought about telling you, but there was so much going on. I didn’t want to add to your angst. I know I should have told my mother. If you were listening, then you know I didn’t sign the contract yet. Maybe I’m dragging my feet. Maybe it’s a mistake. Maybe a lot of things. For some reason I haven’t been able to do that. I love the idea of going back to teaching. I love the kids. Working here was great, too, but Mom and I both knew it was temporary.
“You’re leaving in January, so why should you care if I stay or go? For all either one of us knows, this little…plan we have might not work, and your father ends up having to close the store. It’s all one big crapshoot, Josh.”
“I like you!” Josh blurted. Shit, did he just say that? “I was hoping we could get to know each other better.”
Angie’s head bobbed up and down. She couldn’t believe the words that popped out of her mouth. “I like you, too. I don’t want to fight with you, Josh. I’m sick and tired of walking on eggshells. I do enough of that with my mother, and I’m sure you do the same thing with your father. Let’s just get through the next few months and make decisions later on.”
“But you said you had to sign the contract in three weeks.”
Angie smiled and Josh’s world tilted. “There will be other contracts, other jobs. I’m a good teacher. I’ve had other offers. The California one was just to get me on another coast. Truce?” she asked, holding out her hand.
Josh grinned as he grasped her hand. “Truce. How about dinner tonight?”
“Okay. You’re going to come to my house, ring the bell with flowers in hand, a real date. Or is this business?”
“Nope, a real date. Flowers, eh? I think I can handle that. Does seven thirty work for you?”
“Yes, it works for me, but I was joking about the flowers.”
The conversation was over but Josh didn’t want to leave. “You should see what’s going on out there on the main floor. I’m glad my father isn’t here to see this. He hasn’t called me today. That’s not like him.”
Angie started to laugh and couldn’t stop. “My mother just called a little while ago. Seems your father hired a driver and, as we speak, the two of them are in the Amish country, where they are buying up all the quilts and whatever else the people are willing to sell. They rode from shop to shop in a buggy.”
Josh sucked in his breath and for the life of him couldn’t think of anything to say other than, “Uh-huh.”
Eva settled herself in the town car, her legs extended. She flinched at how swollen and red her knee was. There was no doubt about it, she’d overdone it today. She could hardly wait to put the bag of crushed ice on her knee. They’d picked it up at a 7-Eleven store when they left the Amish country.
“How bad is the pain, Eva?” Angus asked, his voice full of concern.
“Probably as bad as yours. We’re two old fools, Angus. At least I am. I didn’t think this little trip through. I didn’t realize we’d have to get in and out of the buggy so many times. I don’t know what I thought. I’m sorry. Do you want some of my Advil?”
Angus held out his hand. He swallowed two of the tablets while Eva took three with the soda pop they’d also bought at the 7-Eleven.
“As soon as the ice and Advil kick in, we’ll feel better. You have five weeks on me, Angus. I’m just eight days from surgery. Did you have trouble getting used to the pronged cane?” Eva asked, in the hopes that talking would take her mind off the pain in her knee.
Angus leaned back and closed his eyes. “Not at all. I had trouble with the walker. I felt like I was ninety years old. Tell me this damn trip was worth it, Eva. Just tell