Presley waited until he walked off to send Jill a questioning glance.
Jill shook her head. “We can talk about Graham another time over a glass of wine. For now, let’s pick up my packages and grab something to eat.”
The interior of the General Store was clearly updated, but they’d kept its old-timey feel. A long checkout counter with pale blue shiplap lined one wall while the rest of the store was split into rows of shelving. There were three people behind the counter, each serving customers. Presley loved that there were shelves of glass jars filled with candy on the wall behind them.
A middle-aged woman with her hair pulled into a large bun wound with intricate braids on top of her head waved to Jill. “Look who left the island. I was getting worried your brothers were holding you hostage.”
They walked over to the counter, where the woman was putting a gray-haired woman’s purchases into a paper bag.
“You have a great day, Mrs. Carmichael,” the cashier said to the lady who lifted her bags.
“You, too, Maureen. I’ll see you Tuesday night when I beat you at Hearts.”
The cashier, who must have been Maureen, laughed, tipping her head back. “We’ll see about that.”
The older woman turned, saw Jill, and smiled widely. “Oh, Jill. How are you doing, dear?”
Jill gave her a hug. “I’m good, Mrs. Carmichael. How are you?”
“I’m good. Not too many complaints. How’s the lodge coming? I see Beckett is keeping himself in good shape—and oh, aren’t you the girlfriend?”
Before Presley could say anything, the woman carried on. “How’s Ollie and Grayson? You tell us if you need anything.”
“We will, and everyone is fine. I’ll bring Ollie to visit next time I’m here.”
Mrs. Carmichael patted Jill’s cheek with obvious affection. “You do that. You tell that brother of yours, Beckett, that I sure do appreciate him keeping an eye on Adam.”
“I will, but you know he loves hanging out with him. They get to talking about bikes and everything else disappears,” Jill said.
The woman nodded. “Don’t I know it.”
When the woman left, Jill turned to Maureen. “How are you?”
“I’m good, girl. How are you? And Mrs. C was right, you’re the girlfriend,” Maureen said with a hint of mischief in her gaze.
Jill laughed. “This is Presley. Presley, this is Maureen. She’s actually Chef’s sister. I’m happy to hear people are checking out our social media.”
Maureen extended her hand, showing long, bright blue nails that reminded Presley she could use a manicure.
“It’s so nice to meet you, Presley. Feel free to post a little more of Beckett’s abs any time you feel like it.”
Presley laughed. “I’m not sure he’d like that.”
Jill nodded her head. “I can guarantee he wouldn’t, but I’m glad people are seeing our posts.”
“Seeing them?” Maureen asked. “Oh, Jilly. The brothers are running competing specials at the pub. Mountain Man Burger is up against the Hot Mountain Man Platter.”
Presley looked back and forth between the two women. “Excuse me?”
“Leo and Liam? The brothers who split their pub? They’re always doing things like this. One does a promo and the other tries to tank it,” Jill said.
Presley remembered something about dueling karaoke.
“I’ve been trying to get those two in a session together, but so far, they’ll only come see me separately,” Maureen said, disappointment making her tone heavy.
Again, Presley was lost. “Session?”
Jill’s phone pinged. She checked it, then pocketed it, grinning. “Yup. Maureen here is also the only licensed psychologist in Smile.”
