Free The Guestbook by Andrea Hurst

and banana bread, Betty?”
    “Oh no, I’m not staying. No time. I’m off to town to pick up supplies and thought I’d check in one more time to see if you needed anything.”
    “You think this nice girl needs a wrench or a screwdriver?” Shirley griped. “You just about live at that hardware store, and buy your wardrobe from it too.”
    Betty flipped her hand at Shirley. “Don’t mind her, someone’s got to keep us from floating away or trippin’ down those front steps. Speakin of which, I better check that leak under your kitchen sink again too.”
    Leaky sinks, fading paint, Lily hoped the house was not going to turn out to be a burden. “Thanks Betty, whenever you have time.”
    Lily held up the picnic basket still filled with goodies. “Shirley brought me enough food to cater a wedding.”
    Shirley let out a loud laugh. “No weddings around here with us old maids and you, young one, not even divorced yet.  The hapless dog that always hangs around here will help you with the leftovers.”
    Betty zipped up her parka and pulled her hat down over her ears. “I’ll be off then.” She stared at her sister, “We can’t all be fashion plates. I happen to like my parka and work boots, thank you.”
    “I don’t know why you can’t just sit down and take a rest for a while,” Shirley complained. “Just call a plumber. Dad left us enough money to buy that old hardware store if we wanted to.”
    “Rest, what’s that?” Betty asked coyly. “Plenty of time for that when I die.” With a wave, she left the house.
    Shirley started to rise from her chair, and Lily offered her a hand. “Well, don’t be a stranger, Lily. We’re right next door if you need anything.”
    “So good to meet you, and thanks so much for the goodies.” Lily gave Shirley a warm hug.
    Shirley beamed. “Now make sure you do something fun today,” she said as she headed down the front steps hugging the banister.
    “You know,” Lily said, “I think I will bake up some cupcakes and cookies and then take them into town next week and see if Jude is interested in selling them in her café.”
    “Great idea, I bet she’ll be very happy to do just that.”
    Uplifted and motivated, Lily headed to the kitchen to experiment with some baked goods that might appeal to Jude for the café. But first she would check her email on her cell phone and see if her mother had secured an appointment yet with a lawyer.

Chapter Nine
     
     
     
     
     
    Lily was glad John was coming to Sunday dinner tonight.  Cooking gave her something to focus on, and keep her mind off her meeting with the lawyer on Tuesday. For this dinner party, there would be no Brad leering over her shoulder, making demands, and commanding perfection. This would be a friendly dinner with the neighbor.
    A knock at the door had her wondering who might be coming for a visit now. She opened the door to find John McPherson with Gretel at his side.
    “I wasn’t expecting you so early. Come in,” Lily said.  “You too, Gretel.”
    The dog wagged its tail and sat at Lily’s feet, tilting her head up with an expectant gaze.
    “Gretel’s trained to do that for a treat, I’m afraid. Maggie always had a jar of biscuits waiting.”
    Lily moved toward the kitchen. “Well, let me see what I can find, then.” She took out a slice of cheddar cheese and rolled it into a ball. “Here you go, girl.”
    Lily motioned for John to sit down at the table with her. “Can I make you a cup of coffee?”
    “No, had my fill this morning, but thanks. We’re just stopping in for a minute with a question for you.”
    “How can I help you?” she said.
    John hesitated for a moment. “I didn’t realize Ian and the boy were staying an extra day this weekend because of winter break, so I thought we might do our dinner on Monday instead?”
    All the food was prepped and there was so much. She hated the thought of eating alone again tonight. “No problem, I told you I have enough food for the whole