Drive Me Wild (Bellamy Creek #1)(25)

“Yes. But only because he felt sorry for me. You see, I’m sort of between living situations right now, and I need to save every penny I have—which isn’t very many, to be honest—in order to get on my feet somewhere new. Griffin caught me trying to sleep in my car and offered his couch. But he was a complete gentleman, I assure you.”

“Of course he was.” She nodded with satisfaction. “He was raised right. Of course, there was a lot of nonsense when he was growing up. My stars, that boy could find trouble with his eyes closed! His father and I were beside ourselves for years wondering if he was ever going to straighten himself out.”

The screen door creaked open and slammed shut again, startling us both.

“Anyway,” Darlene said, waving a hand in front of her face. “I’m just so pleased to see him out and about with a nice young lady such as yourself.”

“Oh, well, I wouldn’t say we’re out and about together, exactly. He’s just helping me out while I’m here. I’ll be gone soon.”

“And where is it you’re headed, dear?”

“That’s a bit up in the air at the moment, but when I left Tennessee yesterday morning, I was heading for a place called Cloverleigh Farms. I was there once for a wedding years ago and fell in love with it.”

“Oh yes, I know it. That’s a beautiful place.” She hesitated. “Of course, the nearby town is much less charming than Bellamy Creek.”

“Is it?”

She nodded. “Yes. And quite small. They only have one harbor, and we have two.”

I laughed. “Seeing as I don’t have a boat at the moment, it’s probably okay. What I’d like to do is open up a bakery once I’m on my feet.”

“Ready to go, Blair?” Griffin appeared at the doorway.

“So soon?” Darlene sounded dismayed. “We’re just getting to know each other. Did you know Blair wants to open a bakery?”

“Yes.”

“I was just thinking she could open one up here in town. Or a pastry shop! We haven’t had good pie in this town since Betty Frankel passed, God rest her soul.” She crossed herself.

“She’s not staying here.”

“You don’t know that for sure,” Darlene said irritably.

“Actually, Griffin’s right,” I said. “I’m only here for a few weeks.”

“A few weeks?” His mother looked hopeful again.

“Yes. It’s going to take Griffin some time to get the parts he needs to fix my car, and in the meantime I’m going to work at the desk and help out with a new marketing strategy at the garage.”

“Was there an old marketing strategy?” joked Cheyenne, coming into the room and dropping onto a leather recliner.

I smiled. “It’s centered around an event we’re going to plan for Labor Day weekend. Sort of an open house to reintroduce the business to the town. But first, we’re going to renovate the lobby a bit.”

Cheyenne’s jaw fell open. “You convinced him to renovate the lobby? Wow, he really did fall under your spell.”

“It was Blair that fell,” Darlene said. “Did you know that? Fainted dead away at the mere sight of him, and he caught her.”

“Really?” Cheyenne looked back and forth from me to Griffin, whose mouth was set in a grim line.

“No,” he said, annoyed. “She was dehydrated.”

“I heard she was wearing a wedding dress.” Darlene looked smug as she pointed a finger at her son. “Now you tell me that isn’t divine intervention.”

“Jesus Christ, Ma. It wasn’t divine intervention, it was a flat tire.”

Darlene quirked a brow. “You say tomato, I say tomahto.”

“Anyway,” I went on, rising from the couch, “I’m really grateful for the short-term work at the garage. I feel very lucky.”

“Well, I’m tickled pink that Griffin has someone to help out while I’m laid up.” Darlene fell back on the couch and made a big show of lifting both legs onto the cushions, even though she’d seemed fine a moment before. “You never know how long I’ll be out.”

“Mom, you just said earlier the doctor said you could go back to work sometime next week,” Cheyenne said.

“You hush, Cheyenne Dempsey. That’s not at all what the doctor said.”

“I was in the room, Mom.”

“You must have misheard, darling.” Darlene shot her daughter an evil look. “So thank the Lord for sending sweet, lovely Blair to fill in for me as long as we need her.”

Griffin cleared his throat. “So, Mom. Blair needs somewhere to stay while she’s in town. Know anyone who’s renting a room?”

“I thought she was staying at your place.”

“That was an emergency situation.”

“Well, you can’t just kick her out, Griffin. What’s the matter with you?”

Griffin breathed heavily through his nose. “No one’s kicking anyone anywhere, Mom. Now do you know someone renting a room or not?”

“Well, I’m not sure. I need to think about it.” She smiled indulgently at him. “You’re always such a bear when you’re hungry. How about some nice chicken salad?”