Free The Best of Times: A Dicken's Inn Novel by Anita Stansfield Page B

ninety-three.”
    “Really? She doesn’t seem that old.”
    “She tells me she doesn’t feel that old, even though her body is failing her in many ways.”
    “She’s lived a good life, which is more than I can say for me.”
    “I’m sure you’ve done many good things in your life.” He looked skeptical, and she added, “But if you feel that way, then maybe this would be a good time to start over, and make a better one.”
    Jackson let out a wry chuckle. “I’m pushing toward fifty.”
    “Ooh. The ancient mariner. Oprah says that life begins at fifty; that’s when you finally get it all figured out and know what to do with what you’ve got.”
    “Is that right? Well, I don’t have it figured out; not even close.”
    “Maybe you should ask Granny’s advice on the matter. You might not get any sound advice, but it could be very entertaining.”
    “Maybe I will.”
    “She’ll probably tell you what Dickens would say.”
    He chuckled. “And what would Dickens say?”
    “Oh, he loathed getting older. His heart was too young for his aging body, it seems. I guess that gives him something in common with Granny. But he died at fifty-eight, and looked much older than that. I think he worked himself to death. You could take a lesson from that.”
    “I’m sure I could.”
    “How old are you really?”
    “I’ll tell you if you tell me.”
    “Okay, I’m thirty-two.” He looked surprised, and she added, “What? Do I look older than that?”
    “No,” he said, “your eyes look older. The rest of you could pass for twenty-six, easily. I’m just surprised that a woman would admit so readily to her age.”
    “Age is what it is. I’ve never understood this lying about your age thing. But then, I don’t lie about anything. I’m compulsively honest.” Her eyes showed enlightenment. “Oh, you admitted that you’re the same way earlier.”
    “Yes, I did, didn’t I.”
    “So, how old are you, Agent Honest?”
    “Forty-four.”
    “That’s not pushing fifty.”
    “It’s getting there.”
    “Granny would tell you that you have a whole lifetime still ahead of you.”
    “I think I’ll ask Granny myself instead of taking your word for it.”
    “You do that,” she said and went to the kitchen to get the dessert.

CHAPTER 5
    The following morning, Jackson woke up to a dazzling brightness in the room. The snow had stopped, the sun had come out, and the effect was brilliant. He felt motivated to indulge in his usual morning habit of a good run and didn’t see anyone on his way out of the house. It felt good to get some exercise, even though it was cold. Given the temperature and the change in elevation, he wasn’t able to run as far or as fast as he would have at home, but it still helped clear his head and get his blood pumping. It also gave him a chance to get a look at this town in daylight. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d been to a town this small—at least since he’d left home more than twenty years ago—and then it had only been on business.
    Jogging up the road toward the inn, he was able to see its full effect in sunlight. He was surprised by the way just seeing it made him smile. Once inside, he left his wet shoes near the back door and went upstairs to take a shower. When he went down to breakfast, Polly was in the kitchen. She explained that Chas had gone to do some errands and to keep an appointment.
    “I don’t know when she’ll be back, but if you need anything, I’ll either be here or in the office.”
    “Thank you, Polly,” he said. “I’m certain I’ll manage just fine.” He added to himself, I’ve managed fine for decades without Chas, why not now? He couldn’t come up with an answer that made any sense. Polly was kind, and they shared a few congenial words, mostly out of necessity. If nothing else, she proved that it was not just his desire for any company that kept him gravitating to Chas.
    After he’d eaten, Jackson went to Granny’s room and found the