“Samples. I’m thinking of expanding a bit, hoping to hook some more people before SavNGo comes in. I’m looking into selling some local artists’ work and also carrying more fancy stationery.” Pointing to the cards encased in plastic, she said, “These run a little on the expensive side, but they’re real pretty, you know? Some of my older gentlemen customers love to pick up fancy cards for their wives’ birthdays and such.”
Matt jumped back as if they were on fire. “They’re real pretty.”
She laughed. “Don’t worry if you couldn’t care less. Most men don’t think about cards until they need one. And that doesn’t happen too often.”
“It’s not that. It’s just that I probably ought to tell you something, but I’m not real sure how to do it.”
Minnie wondered what he could possibly have to say to her that would worry him. Maybe it had something to do with Mrs. Wyzecki?
When he still seemed tongue-tied, she playfully patted his arm. “My mother always says it’s best to get tough things over with. Just tell me.”
“It’s not easy.”
With amusement, Minnie watched Matt sip his tea, examine her silly 1950’s era kitchen clock, run a finger along the edge of her white laminate countertop. “Come on. Whatever it is can’t be all bad. What is it?”
“I work for SavNGo.”
Thank goodness her glass had been out of her hand! “What do you mean?”
“I’m the Director of Store Planning.”
He said that title with a bit of importance, like she was gonna be impressed.
She most certainly was not. “A director?”
He nodded. “I travel around the country, helping to open new stores. It’s one of the reasons I decided to move back home right now. Store 35 is about to break ground.”
“You came out because it fit in with your schedule?”
“And I wanted to help Mrs. Wyzecki.”
Remembering their conversation in the garage, Minnie folded her arms over her chest. “Why didn’t you tell me this earlier?”
He played dumb. “When? I’ve barely been here a week.”
“There’s been loads of opportunities. Like when you were in my card shop. Like when we were in the garage.”
To his benefit, Matt did not point out that it would have been pretty darn awkward to bring up his job while she was complaining about her financial future. “Minnie, I don’t go around telling everyone my business.”
There it was. To her, he was special. To him, she was “everyone.” “Well, now I know. Thanks for telling me.”
Blue eyes blinked. “You don’t have to put your arms over your chest like I’ve done something wrong.”
She glanced at her arms, then glared at him. “Don’t tell me where to put my arms, Matt Madigan.”
“Then don’t say my name like it’s your next favorite curse word.”
“It just might be.” Memories of her whining about SavNGo kept slapping her in the face. “I wish you would have told me before I sat there and complained about you in Wanda’s garage.”
“Minnie, I’m not your enemy. I just work for SavNGo…I don’t own it. If you have any questions, I’ll be glad to answer them. I answer questions about SavNGo for a living.”
“No questions come to mind, but I’ll let you know.” As a matter of fact, Minnie didn’t know what was in her mind at the moment. All she could deal with was the sudden loss she felt. She’d been so excited to see him again.
Now he was the reason she was going to lose her business. “I’m not mad. I’ve just got things to do.” She pointed to the long line of cards. “As you can see.”
“I do see.”
“And thank you, Matt, for carrying over the dishes. It was really kind of you,” she said, all super sweet and fake.
He stepped forward. “Minnie—”
The front door slammed, followed by the patter of tiny feet in sparkly purple tennis shoes. “Minnie?”
In alarm, Minnie looked at Matt. Kimber had had enough to deal with without witnessing an argument. For one second, she met his eyes and forgot to be angry. Please don’t say anything, she silently pleaded. Please just act like we’re old friends.
“I’m in the kitchen.” Turning to Matt, Minnie whispered, “Listen, don’t—”
And then, to her dismay, in popped Kimber, a bright smile on her face as big as the Royal Gorge. The smile was unexpected. In her experience, Kimber didn’t smile for anyone without a whole lot of coaxing.
Why was Matt different?
“Who are you?” Kimber asked.
“Matt.”
“Are you Aunt Minnie’s boyfriend?”
Minnie was sure she couldn’t blush anymore. “No, he isn’t. He’s just an old—”
“Friend.” Matt leaned closer and held out a hand. “You must be Kimber. Glad to meet you.”
With wide eyes, Kimber shook his hand.
“Oh my goodness, look at you, Matt,” JoAnn Clark said, hauling in a Tupperware container filled with what had to be a hundred cookies. “It’s so good to see you. I had forgotten you were back.”
“Mrs. Clark, nice to see you again.” He squatted down to Kimber’s level. “I like those shoes.”
“They’re purple.” Kimber was all girl. As if she was stepping right out of Sex and the City, she pointed a foot so Matt could have better access.
Matt touched the toe. “Cool sparkly lights.”
Floppy bangs that begged for a trim shielded her eyes. “Minnie got them for me. Where did you come from?”
Matt stood up. “Pennsylvania, but I’m here now for good. I’m going to be your neighbor. I’m going to live in Mrs. Wyzecki’s home.”
JoAnn looked like Christmas had come early. “Did you hear that, Minnie?”
“I did.”
Matt took a step back. “I suppose I best get a move on. Kimber, Mrs. Clark, it’s nice to see you again.”
Kimber blocked his way with a sparkly two-step. “Guess what? I’m getting me a guinea pig.”
“When?”
Kimber turned to Minnie. “When did you say?”
She’d never wanted a guinea pig. “Soon.”
“I’m gonna name him George.”
Matt flashed another smile. “Maybe when you get him, you can introduce him to me.”
Minnie was pretty sure that would only happen when it snowed in July.
Chapter Five
“Why didn’t Matt tell me that he worked for SavNGo the first chance he got?” Minnie griped as she grabbed hold of a dandelion and yanked hard on its stem. “He had any number of chances to tell me the whole reason he was here, but he didn’t.”
As a tiny gust of warm wind floated around Minnie’s front yard, Wanda repositioned the brim of her floppy straw hat. “Maybe it was because he knew you’d react this way?”
“React