and stepped back. “Look at you, all grown-up. I heard you and your munchkin were back in town.”
Paige visibly tensed as a few of Trinity Faith’s quilting gals gathered around, tossing off questions so fast, it made even Jed’s head hurt.
“Where’s that precious baby your mama talks about so much?”
Mrs. Cordell inched into the circle. “In the nursery. Having a blast with that mischievous grandson of yours, I imagine.”
Lucy laughed. “I’ll bet. Keeps his mama on her toes, that one.” She faced Paige. “You and my daughter need to reconnect. Let your little ones get to know one another. Matter of fact, the Friday Faith gals are having their monthly craft night this week. You should come.”
“Uh...” Paige hesitated. “What time?”
“Seven o’clock sharp. Speaking of time, I best get going. I’ve got a committee meeting this afternoon to talk about our plans for the annual father-daughter dance.” She hugged Paige, Paige’s mom and Jed’s grandma in turn. The other ladies followed suit in a comical display of Trinity Faith affection.
Jed took two steps back to avoid getting caught up in the fray. By the time all of the squeezes and goodbyes had ended, Paige looked ready to make a run for it.
Grandma must’ve noticed her discomfort, because she hooked her arm in Paige’s. “Let’s go grab that angel of yours from the nursery. Then what do you say we all go to lunch?”
“Sounds fun!” Mrs. Cordell grinned.
Paige visibly stiffened, and her gaze shot to him.
“I don’t know.” He had half a mind to go, just to corner Paige into relaxing some. But something told him they’d pushed her far enough already. Then again, she’d been pretty high-strung from day one. Probably on account of being unemployed and all, and with a mouth to feed. Most likely she needed time to think things through.
“We’ve got a show this evening.” They’d added Sunday nights for the summer in an attempt to build up revenue. “I need to make sure my staff’s all set up.”
“Oh, posh.” Grandma waved a hand. “There’s plenty of time.”
“If you don’t mind dropping me home—” Paige smoothed a stray lock of hair behind her ear “—Ava needs a nap, and I want to send some queries out.”
“Those can wait.” Mrs. Cordell lightly slapped her arm. “It’s Sunday. A day for rest.”
“I’ve been resting since I got here, Mom. And contrary to what you may think, I do...” She took in a deep breath and released it slowly. “I’m sorry.” She faced his grandma. “I would love to, truly, but can I take a rain check? I really should tackle my to-do list.”
“Of course, dear.” Grandma gave her a sideways hug. “Next Sunday, then. That’ll give you time to pencil us in your planner.”
“I...uh...”
Jed bit back a chuckle to see Paige stammer, plumb out of excuses.
“And tomorrow we can talk more about the script-writing job.” Grandma circled an arm around her waist and, leading a still-stunned Paige down the aisle, shot Jed a wink over her shoulder.
This time he couldn’t contain his laughter. As stubborn as Paige was, she was no match for his grandmother, once she got her mind set on something.
* * *
Paige stepped into her mother’s house, dropped her purse by the door and exhaled. That had been awkward, and something told her Mrs. Tappen was just getting started. Paige was tempted to avoid her from here on out, except she cared for her too much to do that. But how many ways could a person decline a job offer?
Paige smoothed a hand over Ava’s soft curls. “Let’s get you fed and down for a nap.”
“You know,” Mom said, “you should really give Jed and Judith’s offer some thought.”
“Mom, please. It’d never work, and I’m not that desperate.” Yet.
“Maybe not, but I suspect Judith is.”
Ava toddled off to her pile of toys and plopped on her bottom.
“What do you mean?” Paige left Ava to play, and then she headed into the kitchen to prepare her a snack of cheese and crackers.
Her mother followed. “You know their business is failing, right?”
“What? You can’t be serious. Why?”
“Things started going south long before Jed put his money on the line. About five years ago, Mr. Tappen’s kidneys went into failure.”
“I remember.” She’d sent numerous cards to him and his wife, and had talked to Mrs. Tappen on the phone, especially toward the end. But she hadn’t gone to Mr. Tappen’s funeral, and she’d always regretted that. It was the least she could’ve—should’ve—done for the sweet woman who’d meant so much to her. Who’d been there for her when everyone else, Jed included, had failed her. But she’d received word of Mr. Tappen’s death while on a cruise. She had told herself there wasn’t much she could do, but in truth she could’ve caught a plane at the next port city. But she’d been struggling with her marriage, hoping a week in the tropics would help.
It hadn’t.
They’d returned, picked Ava up from Jarred’s parents, and he’d walked out on her a few days later.
Truth be told, she’d always suspected he was having an affair.
“That year took all Judith’s time and energy.” Mom frowned. “Something had to give, so she let the business slide. By the time Ralph died, the theater was a mess. She’d landed so far in debt, she was afraid she’d lose the business and her house—that’s how far tangled she’d gotten herself. She spent the next couple years trying to climb out—didn’t tell anyone but me what was going on.”
Paige opened an applesauce squeeze packet. “Why didn’t she ask her daughter for help? The Gilbertsons have plenty of money to spare.” Not only did Jed’s father own his own firm, but he’d also inherited a large chunk of land that had been in his family for generations. Surely the place held a great deal of equity.
“I’m not so sure. Don’t say anything to Jed or Judith, but from what I’ve heard, the Gilbertsons may not be as well-off as they pretend. At least not anymore.”
“But that doesn’t make sense.”
Mom shrugged. “Word has it Mr. Gilbertson made a series of risky and bad investments.”
“You know how rumors are.”
“Regardless, Judith found herself in the red, though she never mentioned this to anyone but me. She didn’t want to burden anyone—you know how she is. But one afternoon, while talking to her and her grandson, I let word slip. That was all it took. He went to the bank the next day, refinanced his house and within a few short months, had become joint owner. Now that poor kid’s near wearing himself out trying to turn things around.”
“Are his efforts working?”
“Not sure. I mean, things are better, as far as I can tell. But I get the impression those two have a ways to go before they’ll climb out of the red. I just hope they can do it before they both lose their homes. Anyway, figured you’d want to know.”
“Thanks.” What was she going to do now? Turning Jed down was one thing, but Mrs. Tappen needed her.
She had a lot of thinking to do.
Her phone rang. Uncle Ken. “Hello?”
“Hey, Budinsky. How’s my favorite niece holding up?”
“Honest answer? I feel like I’ve regressed about ten years.”
“Lots of