the family kitchen, whipping up a cake or something. Whatever it is, she isnât using the electric mixer, and I sort of feel sorry for the spoon she is using. Congratulations, Allie. You really did it this time.â
Almira patted the front of her dress as she turned, admiring her reflection in the mirror. âYes, I did, didnât I. Sometimes I even amaze myself.â
Jessie had come to her grandmotherâs room to scold her. But how did you scold a woman like this?
âYouâre incorrigible. I donât think it would be a good idea if you were to look quite so pleased with yourself the next time you see Maddy. Sheâs really upset, and I donât blame her one bit.â
âOf course sheâs upset,â Almira said, waving Jessie out of the pink-and-white chintz chair, so she could sit down. She inspected her cherry-red fingernails, frowned when she saw a small chip in one nail. âYou didnât really think sheâd be thrilled, did you, darling? People hardly ever are when youâre doing them a favor.â
âA favor,â Jessie echoed, shaking her head. âAllie, you sicced her old boyfriendâfiancé, whatever you want to call himâon your youngest granddaughter only a few days before her wedding to someone else. You called him, you told him what he should doâI still canât believe you actually got him to buy the Harris houseâand now Maddy is going to look across the hedges at Joe OâMalleyâs house as she walks down the garden steps to marry Matt.â
Jessie took one small step back, her words fully sinking into her own head. âYou donât really think sheâs going to marry Matt now, do you, Allie? Why? I thought you liked him.â
âI do like him, Jessie. Everyone likes Matt Garvey. Whatâs not to like? You like him, donât you?â
Jessie spread her hands, turned and walked away from her grandmother. âOh, no. No, no, no. Weâre not going to go there, Allie.â She turned back, glared at Almira. âAre we?â she ended, the question more of a threat.
âWho? Me? Of course not, darling. I donât meddle, you know that.â
âYou donâtâyou donât meddle? Oh, thatâs a riot, Allie, a real riot. Okay, what do you call what youâve done to my poor baby sister?â
Almira twisted the two carat diamond on the third finger of her left hand, straightening it on her finger. âI call it common sense, my dear. And do you know what? If I were all plump and gray-haired and smelled like fresh-baked gingerbread, youâd just say I was being a silly, sentimental old matchmaker. Why, youâd probably think I was cute as a button. Dear old Gran. Matchmaking again. Isnât that sweet?â
She ran her hands down each side of her trim waist and hips as she stood up once more, patted her upswept hair. âPerhaps I should have let myself go to seed. Iâd certainly find more sympathy from my ungrateful family.â
Jessie stared at her grandmother, her mouth slightly open as she listened to this nonsense. âYouâre evil, do you know that, Allie? Youâre positively evil. â
Almira smiled, patted Jessieâs cheek. âFlattery will get you nowhere, darling. Now, letâs go see Maddy, all right? Last thing the girl needs right now is to be abandoned by those who love her.â
âAbandoned? You threw her to the wolves,â Jessie said, chasing after Almira, who could probably outpower-walk most of the citizens of Allentown.
âOh, donât be so dramatic, Jessie, it isnât like you. It was just one wolf,â Almira said as she headed down the wide sweep of stairs. âAnd Iâve given her a choice, thatâs all. You know the stateMaddy was in when she came back to us eighteen months ago. No closure, no real settlement in her mind. And donât forget the hives. You know, rather like the ones
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