“Well, like you said, Mrs. Reynolds, he’s a bit untraditional.”
“Yes, yes, I can see that. That would have given me a pause too.”
“Thank goodness I won her over,” I said, lifting my glass to drink more wine.
“When will you be having children?”
I nearly did a spit take. Seriously? What did all this have to do with getting a donation?
“Well, Tucker tells me twins run in his family, so we need to wait until we’re sure we could handle two at a time.”
I winked at her to say, “good call.”
“Plus, Holly has so many wonderful projects she’s working on right now. Did you know she helped bring back 4-H to the schools? How is it possible in Nebraska that a school didn’t have 4-H?” I worked to bring the conversation to Holly’s skills as a teacher and community leader.
“It’s a shame, I know. Thank goodness Holly is such a dedicated teacher,” Mrs. Reynolds said.
“And now with the library. Kids these days aren’t reading like they should, but the library is lacking in all the resources to make sure Nebraskan kids can compete.”
“Yes. The kids are all about their phones these days, aren’t they?” Mrs. Reynolds said.
“They really are.” Holly nodded. “We’ve got lots of support from the mayor’s office, and we’ve raised some funds, but we still don’t have enough.”
“Holly said your husband’s family was instrumental in developing and building Salvation,” I said.
Holly glared at me for taking the subject away from the library. I gave her my “trust me” smile.
“Oh yes. There wouldn’t be any Salvation without the Reynolds.”
“Gosh, imagine you helping with Holly’s project. You’d be continuing the tradition set by your husband’s family.” I wondered if Holly thought I was laying it on a bit thick, but she watched Mrs. Reynolds carefully for her answer.
10
Holly
I couldn’t decide if Tucker was a dream come true when it came to wooing Meredith into supporting the library project, or if I was annoyed at how taken she was with him. He always seemed to know what to say, not just to her, but to everyone. He didn’t seem nervous and while I saw a flash of annoyance in his eyes when she’d say something sexist, he was able to brush it off and move on in the conversation. Did he learn that from having a therapist mom, or was it just part of his DNA.
Whatever it was, Meredith was eating it up, and I was feeling hopeful that we’d have the money for the library project.
“I’ll have you know, young man, that I’ve long carried on the traditions set by my husband's family, have I not, Holly?” Meredith responded to Tucker’s comment about continuing her husband’s family’s legacy.
“Yes, you have,” I confirmed.
“I’m a big supporter of the arts, education—”
Tucker waved his hand in surrender. “I didn’t mean to suggest you weren’t a vital member of the community. Holly has touted all your good deeds.” He gave a sheepish smile. “You’ll have to forgive me for trying so hard to support my wife. I’m so proud of all she’s done as well. The two of you together…well…Salvation is a lucky town.”
He was a bit over the top, and yet, I could see he was successfully wooing Meredith. I could reach across the table and kiss him. I thought about it. For the ruse of course. Nothing more.
Meredith patted my hand. “You have such a wonderful husband, Holly. He’s quite handsome. I’d keep him away from any other women, if I were you. They’ll try to snap him up.”
It was a reminder of why indulging with Tucker would be such a disaster. In a few years, I’d look more my age, while he was still young. He wasn’t shallow, but that didn’t mean younger, more nubile women wouldn’t tempt him when I grew crow’s feet and my breasts sagged.
“Never will happen,” he said with surety.
“Devoted too. Just like my Jamison, rest his soul,”
We finished up dinner and Tucker surprised us with a dessert of strawberry shortcake. I might not want to be in a relationship with him, but I was seriously considering hiring him as my cook and handyman.