“Of course you do, you charmer, you. It still doesn’t mean you don’t have some explaining to do, keeping Rina out all night.”
“How do you know we didn’t just go for
breakfast?” Rina asked.
“Because you’re dressed like a hot number in wrinkled clothing, which leads me to believe you’ve been out all night. You can’t pull the wool over my eyes. I’m too old and I’ve been around. Now, young man, what do you have to say for yourself?”
Colin laughed. “Only that I adore you.”
Rina walked closer to the chair. “Not that you aren’t welcome anytime, but what are you doing here now?”
“That’s a good question.” Colin rose to his feet and thrust his hands into his back pockets waiting for an answer.
“Honestly?”
Rina threw her hands in the air in pure frustration. “Of course!” she said on an exasperated breath.
“I came to snoop.”
That took Rina off guard. “What?” Last time Emma nosed around, she’d found Stan’s card. This time Rina had nothing to hide.
“I came to have tea, make small talk, excuse myself to go to the ladies’ room and see what evidence you’d left around. Then I realized that you’re my dear friend and such behavior is inexcusable. Not that you’ve been looking out for my feelings, but I certainly look out for yours.”
Rina’s head was swimming. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Turning to Colin, she asked, “What is she talking about?”
He merely shrugged, one eyebrow raised as he, too, waited for an explanation.
“Did you know she’s two-timing you, Colin?”
“What!” Rina and Colin both asked at the same time.
Emma nodded. “She’s giving me competition for my dear Stan.”
Rina blinked. “You said the man’s a lecher. Now he’s your dear Stan? Come on, Emma. What gives?”
“First he sends you flowers.” She sniffed, pulling a handkerchief out of the cuff of her sleeve. “Then he asks you out.”
“He did no such thing,” Rina said, outraged.
Colin coughed, lifting his hand to cover his obvious laughter. The traitor. Rina would deal with him later, but first there was the matter of an outlandish eighty-year-old storyteller to deal with. “Prove it, Emma.”
“Stan showed me a copy of the letter he penned asking you out. Flowery language and written in his own hand.”
Rina rubbed her temples. “He’s playing you. He never sent any letter. But he wants you jealous and you are. You’re interested in the man. Just admit it and go out with him, for heaven’s sake.” She shot an imploring glance at Colin.
“Emma?” Colin prodded.
Old, wise eyes met Rina’s. “I’m afraid.”
“Logan won’t allow the Judge to put you in an old-age home, Emma.”
Colin spoke the words Rina had tried to convince Emma of already. But hearing him say it, Rina believed. She trusted Colin’s instincts. His judgment. And that meant her feelings for this man went deeper than she’d ever imagined.
She shivered, forcing herself to focus on Emma. “Isn’t that the same thing I told you the other day?”
The older woman nodded.
“Life is short,” Rina said, speaking from experience. “Please trust me on this and live every day to its fullest. If Stan wants to be your companion, then get to know him. Trust your own instincts.”