between Adele and her great-aunt. “Mrs. Dunnigan, do you still have any lemons in stock?”
“No!”
He glanced over his shoulder at Adele and back. “Very well, we won’t trouble you further.”
Mrs. Dunnigan picked a ladle off the counter. Great Scott, the fight must have been serious. Everyone in town knew she only pulled her ladle out when she was ready to clobber someone with it.
Mrs. Riley looked ready to bust a gut. “Irene, please.”
“Don’t ‘please’ me! That woman’s no longer allowed in my store! Telling me how to arrange my displays – the very idea!”
Mrs. Riley shut her eyes and took a deep breath. Was she about to count to ten, or let Mrs. Dunnigan have it with both barrels?
“Auntie!” Adele objected, leaning around Liam. “Have you insulted our guests?”
Irene blinked at her a few times. “Well, I … she … that woman was trying to rearrange everything in here!”
Mrs. Riley smiled. “Like you did in Betsy’s store when you visited, remember?”
Adele’s jaw dropped. “Auntie, you didn’t!”
Mrs. Dunnigan’s face scrunched up so tight, her eyes looked like they’d closed. “Never mind what I did!”
Mrs. Riley laughed. “They told me you could get like this. And to think I didn’t believe them.”
“Who told you what?” Mrs. Dunnigan barked.
Mrs. Riley calmly waved her hand. “Unreasonable. Cranky. Screaming like a banshee.”
Mrs. Dunnigan took a breath, opened her mouth …
… and Grandma Waller walked in. “What’s all the ruckus? Land sakes, Irene, I can hear you yelling from across the street!”
Mrs. Dunnigan glared at Grandma. “None of your business, Sarah!”
“When I can hear ya clean across the street, it’s my business. I’m a doctor’s wife, and you sound like you’re about to give yourself an apoplexy.”
“I’m doing no such thing!” Mrs. Dunnigan barked back.
Wilfred entered next. “Jumpin’ Jehoshaphat, Irene, what’s the trouble now?”
“That woman!” She pointed at Mrs. Riley.
“Me? What did I do? I just wanted to admire the store now that I have a little extra time, and you’re going to chew me out?”
Wilfred pinched the bridge of his nose. “Aw, shucks.”
Liam saw the scene and turned to Adele. “Maybe we should come back another time. She doesn’t have lemons anyway.”
Adele nodded and turned to Wilfred. “Uncle, I think Auntie’s having one of those days.”
“Yeah, I figured.” He went behind the counter and took his wife’s arm. “C’mon, Irene. I think you need a nice cup of tea.”
“Unhand me, Wilfred!”
“Good idea – I’ll join you.” Grandma went behind the counter and took Mrs. Dunnigan’s other arm.
“What are you talking about?” she groused. “I don’t want any tea.”
“Yes, you do,” Grandma and Wilfred said in unison.
Liam tried not to laugh. The scene was comical, but also serious. Was Mrs. Dunnigan’s health failing like his father’s was? Or was she just having a bad day?
“Adele,” Wilfred said. “Could you look after the store for a spell?”
“Sure, I don’t mind.” She looked at Liam. “Do you?”
“No, whatever I can do to help.”
Adele smiled gratefully and went behind the counter. Mrs. Riley stood on the other side looking like she couldn’t decide if she should run back to the hotel or up the stairs after the others.
Liam decided he should go hang some banners. After he made sure Adele was okay.
Chapter Eight
Adele saw the concern in Liam’s eyes. One would think he’d just saved her from some dastardly outlaw instead one of Great-Aunt Irene’s tantrums. But Grandma having to go upstairs with Great-Uncle Wilfred to calm her down was worrisome. The old woman had mellowed over the years, but occasionally she still got like this and no one knew what to do with her when she did. Except Wilfred.
“Will she be all right?” Liam asked.
“Yes, she always recovers well. It’s the rest of us that are slower.”
He leaned against the counter. “Did she upset you?”
She shook her head. She liked how his eyes were roaming her face.
“And what about you, Mrs. Riley? Are you okay?” He still hadn’t taken his eyes off her.
“I’m fine, dear. But I am worried about Irene. I’ve heard how she can act up. She chewed poor Betsy out like nobody’s business earlier. I’m sure Irene hurt her feelings. Why else would she leave?”
“What did Mrs. Quinn do?” Adele asked.
“She made some suggestions on how to spruce up the displays throughout the store. That was it.”
Adele nodded. “That’ll do it.”
“Good Heavens, you’re serious,” Mrs. Riley stated.
“I’m afraid so, ma’am. She has her pride.”
“Call me Leona, child.” Leona bit her lip and glanced at the door. “I heard Irene is prone to such outbursts, but