“So, Hunter. Ava says you’re doing some work in here?” Sandy asked, looking around. She leaned forward. “I haven’t been inside this house in twenty years, and it looks exactly as I remember it.”
I snorted. “It looks the same as I remember it from thirty-plus years ago.” I stopped talking, picking up my coffee. I had to admit, the carafe and filter thing were old, but the coffee tasted good. I might spring for a kettle, though.
“Yes, you stayed with your grandparents for a short time,” Sandy mused. “Your, ah, mother…?” She trailed off.
“Dead,” I said shortly.
All the women looked horrified at my terse answer.
“We weren’t close,” I stated.
“I see your truck has Alberta license plates on it. Is that where you live?” asked Cami, tilting her head and studying me. She looked like Ava, although Ava’s eyes were unique and her expression was more mischievous.
“I’ve been there a year or so.”
“And before?” she asked.
I waved my hand. “All over. Look, ladies, I appreciate the visit and all, but I’m not one to talk about myself, and I have a lot of work to do. I’ll save you some time. The land isn’t for sale. Not to you, not to anyone. At least, for now. If I change my mind, I’ll let you know. No amount of baked goods or premade meals is going to sway my decision.”
They exchanged glances, and Emmy laughed. She was a pretty lady with golden hair and warm, dark eyes.
“You have us confused with our husbands. We aren’t interested in your land. We tried to befriend your grandfather, but he didn’t want that. Sandy knew your grandmother a little, but once she passed, that was the end of being neighborly. The only one who got even remotely close to him was Ava. She checked on Jack every so often and made sure he was okay. He’d let her sit on the porch on occasion, and other times, he’d tell her to go away. But she always returned.”
Somehow that didn’t surprise me. Any of it. The part about my grandfather or Ava. Emmy kept talking.
“We have no desire to talk business with you. All we wanted was to say hello, let you know we’re right over the bluff, and you’re welcome anytime.”
I felt a rush of guilt for being rude, and I cleared my throat. “Sorry, I’m not used to company.”
Cami patted my hand. “We understand. But we’re close should you change your mind or need anything.” She paused. “So, you’ve met Ava.”
I swallowed the mouthful of scone, wondering what she had told her mother.
“Yes.”
“She mentioned you were applying for some planning permission.”
“Yes. It needs some improvements.” I cleared my throat again, feeling as if I should say something. Something nice about Ava. Probably telling Cami I would like to fuck her daughter would fall outside the realm of polite society acceptance. “She was, ah, very helpful.”
Cami nodded. “She is very good at what she does.”
“She’s very mouthy,” I said without thinking. “And she’s bossy.”
They all laughed. “That’s my daughter,” Cami agreed. “Her father’s mischievousness and my outspokenness. It’s a bad combination.”
“She steals potatoes and bacon off my plate too,” I grumped, then realized what I had said when they all looked at me.
“Ah, I ran into her this morning.”
Cami grinned. “Potatoes are her favorite food—along with bacon. But I thought I taught her better manners than to take food off a stranger’s plate.”
“We’re hardly strangers,” I snorted, then wanted to smack my head on the table.
How the hell were these women getting me to say this shit?
“I mean, she helped me at city hall, and she returned Cash to me when he got off his lead,” I said, sounding lame even to my ears.
They all exchanged glances I was certain had meaning. And had something to do with me. I picked up my mug and drained it, wanting to curse. This time, though, I stayed quiet.
Emmy glanced around. “How do you plan on doing all the work?”
I held up my hands. “With these.”
“You can’t do it all by yourself. We have lots of strong men in the family. If you need anything, all you have to do is ask,” Dee informed me.
They all nodded again, having a silent conversation between them with their looks. I didn’t like it.
I didn’t tell them that wouldn’t be happening. I preferred to work alone, and if there was a job I needed help doing, I would hire someone. I remained silent.
They took my lack of response as their cue to change the subject. I ate a couple of scones and complimented Emmy on how delicious they were. They chatted about the area, and I pushed myself to remain polite. They were all kind, lovely women. Mothers. Caring and concerned, wanting to help. I mentioned I planned on shopping for a grill, and they recommended a place close to the grocery store they had mentioned. They told me about a great mechanic, where to shop for pet supplies that had a greater selection than the store in town, and a whole host of other information I didn’t ask for and had no idea I needed to know. But I smiled and nodded, allowing them to write down their phone numbers and email information. They didn’t force the issue when I didn’t offer mine in return.