“We’ll find out soon enough.” Calliope avoided Abby’s questioning gaze.
“You do know! I knew it!” Abby stomped her foot in much the way Stella did whenever she got frustrated. “And there’s no prying it out of you, I suppose.”
“I’m afraid not. But since you’re here, would you mind helping me get tomorrow’s orders together?”
“You’re changing the subject and distracting us. Wait.” Abby grabbed her arm as she passed. “Just tell us this. Is it good news?”
There was no mistaking the concern coursing through Abby’s body, the tension in her muscles, the frown on her face. The same frown that marred Paige’s. “It is wonderful news. Holly is fine, Abby. And so is her child. Neither of you have anything to worry about.” On that front, at least. Calliope felt her own lips curve down as she caught sight of gray clouds shifting heavily over the inn. Trouble was on the horizon. No. Not trouble. Heartache. And sorrow.
But for whom? She smoothed her hands down her sides, trying to wipe away the tingling uncertainty.
“Oh, thank goodness.” Abby’s eyes glistened with sudden tears and she sagged like a doll. She patted a hand against her heart as she released her hold on Calliope. “I mean, of course Holly’s fine. She wouldn’t have a party otherwise, right?”
“I wouldn’t think so, no.” Happily, Calliope had the perfect gift in mind for the semi-new parents. And Simon, the big brother to be, would not be left out. “And it isn’t you I was trying to distract, but myself. I could use the company.” She ducked into the house for her lists, took an extra beat to enjoy the giggles and squeals mingling with a dog’s barking that were coming from down the hall. She tapped two fingers against her heart and glanced up. “Friendship and kindness heal all wounds.”
When she returned she found Abby and Paige setting up a line of gathering baskets on the ground. Calliope dropped her order forms into one of the baskets. Within minutes they’d gotten into a productive rhythm, chatting and humming as they pulled vegetables and fruit from the ground and set them gently into the receptacles. Calliope marveled at the differences in the women. Paige dived right in, sinking into the earth with all the gusto and determination her personality dictated, while Abby was a bit more delicate, and obviously more averse to getting dirty.
“So, about Xander.” Abby cleared her throat. “Did I see you driving out of town with him yesterday afternoon?”
“You did.” Calliope’s hand tightened around a stalk of kale. “Stella and I needed to visit our mother, but my car wouldn’t start.”
“Oh. I’m sorry.” Paige dumped a glistening white cauliflower into one of her baskets and brushed her hands off on her jeans. “So, um, Xander just happened to be around, huh?”
Calliope chuckled at Abby’s grin. These two were as far from subtle as two people could get. “Yes, he was. And he was kind enough to drive us. He volunteered to help. That’s all.” And ended up with Calliope sobbing all over him. Poor man. She owed him a basket of scones for having to put up with her emotional outpouring.
“Oh, sure. I bet he was.” Paige hefted two baskets into her arms and strolled past Abby. “And those pink cheeks of yours are because of the sun and not because we mentioned his name?” She blinked innocently as Calliope’s dirt-covered hand flew to her face.
“Uh-huh.” Abby clicked her tongue. “Thought so. I knew there was a reason for all that hostility at the diner. You like him.”
“What’s not to like? You’ve seen him,” Paige said.
“From a distance.” Abby actually pouted. “But I have heard tell. So what’s the deal?”
“No deal. He’s a nice man.” Calliope tried to cover her reaction by brushing her nose. “And he’s here to do a job. There’s nothing else to talk about.”
“Oh, come on.” Paige ditched the baskets by the front door and picked up the last two, one of which she shoved at a protesting Abby. “Holly’s got her head in baby world and Lori’s pining over Matt and Kyle being away. Give me something to obsess over.”