“What is that old-fashioned expression, ‘His reputation preceded him’?”
“Exactly,” Mrs. Winston said.
“Don’t worry. The minute he steps out of line, I’ll drop him like a hot potato.”
Both laughed.
“Well, he would be a real fool to drive someone as sweet as you away,” Mrs. Winston said.
They looked up, and I turned to see Jim Lamb in the doorway.
“Ah, you’re up and okay. I got my car back. It looks like new,” he said.
“I’m glad, Jim. You’re feeling better, too?”
“Oh, yes.” He looked at Mrs. McGruder and Mrs. Winston. “Thanks to all the tender loving care I received.”
“Good.”
I tasted the oatmeal just to make Mrs. McGruder happy. It was very good, not like some of the gruel Mrs. Fennel used to make us eat, so I ate a little. Jim didn’t move from the doorway. Everyone’s eyes went to him.
“I was wondering if you were free this afternoon. I could show you around the area a bit. You might like to see the John F. Kennedy National Historic Site, his birthplace. I’m sure you would enjoy the House of the Seven Gables. And if there’s time—”
“I’m sorry, Jim. I’ve already made previous arrangements for today.”
“Oh. Sure,” he said, his whole face sinking in disappointment. “Well, maybe some other time,” he added, and was gone.
I looked at the two women to see their reactions. I was sure that in the back of her mind, at least, Mrs. Winston was thinking that Jim would be a safer beau. I said nothing and ate a little more oatmeal during the silence.
“We’re getting a new tenant later today,” Mrs. Winston said when I looked up.
“Oh?”
“Another young man. He’ll be here for a few weeks. He’s from Boston University and has very good references. He’s doing some historical research for a doctorate in history and just happens to be specializing in John Adams. He was very excited to learn about the Winston House. Perhaps he’ll be good company for Mr. Lamb.”
I knew she meant to take his attention away from me.
I nodded. “Thank you for this,” I told Mrs. McGruder.
“So, you are going somewhere today?” Mrs. Winston inquired. “With my great-nephew?”
“Yes.”
“Forewarned is forearmed,” she said with a small smile.
I nodded and left them. Poor Liam, I thought. Or maybe poor me. I wondered if I should feel sorry for him or be wary for myself.
He arrived a little early. Diplomatically, he brought his great-aunt a gift, a bouquet of fresh lilacs.
“Thank you,” Mrs. Winston said, standing beside me. She was eyeing my larger bag, which contained my clothes to change into for dinner. “I’m lucky Lorelei came to stay with us, or I might not have seen you for another four months, Liam,” she added, her face as chiding as that of a grade-school teacher bawling out an errant little boy.
Liam blushed, surely because it was happening in front of me. “Now, Great-auntie Amelia,” he said. “You know I’m always thinking about you.”
“Mind reading is hard enough when the person is in the same room, but across town? Not easy,” she said. Nevertheless, she gave him a kiss on the cheek and nodded at me. “You had better treat this young lady with respect, or you’ll hear more from me than you ever have,” she warned.
“No need to worry,” he said.
“We’ll see,” she countered. “Have a good time,” she told me, and went off to put her flowers in a vase.