“Sure. What do you need?”
Angela blushed again. “I’ve got nothing to wear. Not on a date. You always look so put together without it being over the top, you know?”
“I just know what I like. But I could take you shopping. Tomorrow after school? I’m not working then.” Emily relished the idea of shopping with Angela. This was going to be great.
“That would be wonderful. And… maybe we could pick out some new school clothes for me, too?”
“Of course.” It was getting better and better. “I’ll meet you at Barbara’s Boutique tomorrow after school.”
Angela stood. “Thank you, Emily. You’re a lifesaver.”
Emily watched her cross the lunchroom and smiled to herself. Things were working out better than she’d hoped. Blake had asked out Angela. Jeanie was hopefully going to leave them alone, and Angela had asked her to take her shopping. Productive lunch hour.
Chapter 8
Rob looked at his handiwork on the roof. The repair hadn’t been as involved as he’d thought. And now, as his reward, there was no more blue tarp. He climbed down the ladder and went in search of Violet, who, to his surprise, was painting the teal cottage.
“Whoa, look at you.” He grinned as he walked up to her.
“Hey, I know how to paint.” She stood back and frowned. “But it looks kind of streaky.”
“Let it dry and give it another coat.”
“Okay. I hope this turns out the right shade. I have it all in my mind how I want the cottages to look.”
“I’m sure it will be fine.” Looked fine to him, even if he wasn’t sure if this was her teal or her seafoam green cottage.
“I’m going to paint all the cottages and leave you with the other repairs.” She stood with her hand on her hip and her lips set in a firm line of determination.
“That’s a lot of work.” He struggled to hide his doubt.
“It’s something I can do. I don’t know how to do the wood repairs, or plumbing, or roof repairs. This I can do.”
He swallowed his lingering skepticism and said, “Hey, I’m going to head into town. Need a few supplies. Do you need anything?”
“Nah, I’m good. I’m determined to finish this side of the cottage.”
He might stop by Sea Glass Cafe, too. And he even tried to pretend it was the ice cream calling him, not the hope that he’d run into Evelyn. He drove into town and popped into the cafe. Pleasure swept through him when he saw Evelyn behind the ice cream counter. “Good afternoon,” he said as he approached.
She rewarded him with a welcoming smile. “Ah, your daily ice cream fix, I see.”
“It has sort of become a routine for me, hasn’t it?” He slipped onto a barstool. “I’m actually craving a piece of your peach pie, too.”
“You’re in luck. I have about half a pie left. I’ll get you a slice.” Her eyes twinkled. “And I bet you want that scoop of vanilla on top.”
“You’ve already figured me out. My weakness for your peach pie and ice cream.”
She disappeared to the kitchen and returned with a slice of pie, which she mounded a huge scoop of vanilla ice cream onto before placing it in front of him.
He took a bite and couldn’t decide which was better. The pie or the ice cream. He was going to have to start exercising if he kept up with this new diet. “It’s really delicious.”
“Thank you.” She paused in her work and leaned against the counter across from him. “Repairs coming along okay on the resort?”
“Slowly. Not sure when she’ll be able to open.” He shook his head. “And she’s insisting that she’s going to paint each cottage herself while I work on other repairs. That’s going to take her forever. But there is no changing Violet’s mind when she has it set on something.” He had a grudging admiration for her determination, though.
“I’m sure when it’s done, she’ll be proud of all her hard work.”
“I still haven’t looked at her reservation system or much about the business side. We’re going to sit down tonight and go over some of that. I’m beginning to wonder when I’m ever going to make it back home.” He shrugged. “Although, I could be talked into spending more time here. Vermont winters can be brutal.”
