Free Her Mother's Daughter by Lesley Crewe Page B

went to the phone. It gave the other two a chance to stare each other down. Ashley was about to open her mouth but Bay put her hand up.
    â€œNever mind. Let’s go and have fun.”
    Ashley smiled. “Okay.”
    When Matt got off the phone, Bay quickly fed Merlin and then they ran out the back door and around the house and realized too late that they’d never fit in Tansy’s sports car, so they got soaked as they switched vehicles.
    â€œGreat,” Tansy pouted. “I look like a drowned rat.” She checked the mirror in the sun visor. “I should’ve worn waterproof mascara. What a ridiculous place this is. Rain, fog, drizzle, wind—you name it, it’s here.”
    Bay backed back out of the driveway. “Are you telling me you didn’t have weather in New York?”
    â€œNot destructive, damp, stupid fog.”
    â€œYou’re in for a great time, then.” Bay turned onto Main Street and started to pick up speed, when she noticed Gertie walking along the sidewalk, head down, with four grocery bags in her hands.
    â€œThat silly woman’s going to catch her death,” Bay tsked.
    â€œDoesn’t she own a car?” Tansy asked.
    â€œWell, not really.”
    â€œWhat do you mean, not really?”
    â€œShe has one but it needs gas.”
    Ashley and Matt laughed at Tansy’s expression. “Do you mean to tell me she’s too cheap to buy gas for her car?”
    Bay nodded. “She’d rather buy nachos. We’d better pick her up.”
    Tansy looked around at the back seat. “Where on earth will you put her?”
    Ashley solved that. “I’ll sit on Matt’s lap.”
    Bay pulled over to the curb ahead of Gertie and honked the horn. Gertie was wearing an accordion plastic head scarf on her head, which made her look eighty. She tried to wave, but her hands were full. The kids opened the back door and she hurried over to the car.
    â€œTake these,” Gertie shouted. “My boxes of doughnuts are getting soggy.”
    Matt grabbed the bags and Gertie grunted as she squeezed into the back seat. She took off her headscarf and shook it. Tansy cried out in dismay.
    â€œFor heaven’s sake, Gertie, you’re not a dog. Watch my hair.”
    â€œSorry. Look, Tansy, could you push your seat up a tad? My knees are up to my chins.”
    Tansy pulled her seat forward. “Is that better?”
    â€œNot really, but never mind.”
    â€œWant to go to dinner with us, Gertie?”
    â€œThat would be great. Anyone want a doughnut?”
    After arguing about where they should go, they decided on Swiss Chalet. They had a horrible time trying to get Gertie out of the back seat of the car. Even Gertie seemed distressed by the episode.
    â€œI think I’m going to have to go on a diet.” She stopped for a breather before they got through the restaurant door. But once she was seated, she sniffed the air. “Oh darn, smell that chicken. Maybe I’ll start my diet tomorrow.”
    â€œThere’s no time like the present,” Tansy announced. “If you mean what you say, then act on it. Starting tonight.”
    Gertie looked dismayed. “You mean I get invited to a restaurant with someone else picking up the tab and you’re going to make me eat a salad?”
    â€œThat’s what I’m having,” Tansy replied.
    â€œOh, brother. But the fries are so good here.”
    Tansy patted Gertie’s hand. “Listen, Gertie, my sister loves you very much and right now she can’t afford to lose anyone else in her life, so let’s get you into shape. You don’t want to have a heart attack while walking home one night carting twenty pounds of Doritos, do you?”
    â€œWell, no…”
    â€œWe’ll start an exercise routine as well. I’ll teach you everything you need to know. It’ll be fun, and I’m not taking no for an answer.”
    â€œI forgot how