“I know, Sammy told me. The freezer quit, and we lost a bunch of meat.” She opened up the plastic container and handed her a cookie.
Never one to turn down Wanda’s cooking, Jeanette took it and bit into it. “I’m sorry about the meat.” She waved the treat in the air. “This is delicious, as always.”
Wanda shrugged. “It’ll be fine. That’s not really what I wanted to talk to you about anyway.”
“Oh?”
“River told me about the mugging. How are you feeling?”
“I’m fine, really. Just a bit of a headache from landing on the pavement. Not my finest moment.”
“I hope they catch the guy. I also heard about the phone call you got earlier.”
Jeanette laughed. “The grapevine is in full swing, I see.”
She winked. “I do have ways of getting information.”
Jeanette felt like Wanda was holding something back, but she couldn’t guess what. “Is there anything else you wanted to discuss?”
“Well, yes.”
“You know you can ask me anything in the world.” Jeanette reached out and covered Wanda’s hand with her own. “I hope you don’t mind, but I consider you a second mom.”
Wanda beamed. “I’m so glad to hear you say that. I’ve always thought of you as more of a daughter too. Which is why I wanted to know what you plan to do with that bullheaded son of mine.”
Had Jeanette heard her right? “Pardon?”
She tsked. “He’s dragging his feet where you’re concerned.”
“You mean…you know how I feel about him?”
“Yes, I’ve known for a long time.” Her gaze softened. “And I couldn’t have chosen a better match for him than you.”
“Uh, Wanda, we’re just friends,” she warned.
She cocked her head to the side. “Are you so sure?”
Jeanette ran a hand through her hair, unsure what to say. Heck, she wasn’t sure what was going on herself, so how was she supposed to tell Wanda? “I mean, there have been some sparks flying back and forth lately, but that’s all. Nothing’s happened between us.”
Wanda smiled at Jeanette and patted her hand. “I was young once too, dear. I know what it’s like to want to be with the one you care about twenty-four hours a day. And when he seems so determined to keep you at arm’s length, it gets truly exasperating.”
“Truly,” Jeanette grumbled. “I don’t know why I haven’t given up already. I’m a glutton for punishment, I guess.”
Wanda sat up a little straighter. “No, he cares about you, as more than a friend. I think he’s just trying to protect you.”
She threw her hands in the air, allowing her irritation free rein. “From what? I’m not some virginal princess here. I don’t need protecting.”
“From himself, I’m afraid. But you’ll get him past that. I know it.” She nodded. “You’re good for him. Always have been.”
Jeanette sighed. “You have a lot of faith in me. I just hope I don’t let you down.”
“Nonsense.” Wanda took a long drink of her tea, then said, “Now then, if there’s anything you need from me, just holler.”
“Thank you,” Jeanette said, her chest filling with emotion. Wanda Jennings was a true gem, and Jeanette was lucky to have the older woman in her corner.
For the past twenty minutes, River had been watching Jeanette sleep. She was all curled up into a ball on the couch and snoring like a freight train, her hair tangled around her shoulders. She always made a lot of noise when she was in a deep sleep—just one more adorable thing about her.
After they’d called the repairman and fixed the walk-in freezer, he and Reilly had taken an inventory of all the food that had been lost. It’d taken longer than he’d wanted it to. The entire time, he’d had thoughts of Jeanette in his home. He was pretty sure he’d broken more than a few speeding laws getting back to his apartment.