"Bye," Caitlin said, wishing for another moment with him to apologize. She opened the truck door but saw Mrs. Carrington across the street. "Hey," she yelled, running across the street.
"Hello, sweets. Who was that handsome devil?"
"Scott MacKay."
"Oh yes. I've heard about him. Guess I used the right word."
"Mrs. C," Caitlin said in a teasing, scolding manner. This woman, the town matriarch, had an opinion about everyone and every thing. This made life in this small town very interesting and never dull.
"So, let's talk about better things," Mrs. Carrington said. Caitlin cringed at seeing the tilt of her head and the eyebrows rose with intrigue. This conversation was about to get personal. "How is everything with Garrett?" It took only a moment before she said, "Caitlin, what aren't you telling this old woman? I've been around the block many times and that look doesn't leave me with promising thoughts."
Caitlin shrugged. "What can I say?" There weren't enough words or enough time to explain the magnitude of their situation. Someone had to give, but neither seemed willing to take that first step.
She took Caitlin's hand. "Give him time, sweets, though, Lord knows, the boy's taken enough time."
"It's a young girl's dream and fantasy." Caitlin shook her head. "He's realistic and practical; all business."
"It's a cover up," she said with a flick of her wrist. "Don't give up your dreams, no matter how crazy or out of this world they seem. Garrett's rusty like an old hinge. We'll get him oiled and back in business. Be patient. Trust me. It doesn't hurt that another man is showing interest." She nudged Caitlin and winked.
Schemes and concoctions on how to bring two people together flew around downtown like a swarm of locust. The old woman's devious smile told Caitlin to run away and never return.
"My dear, wipe those worry frowns away," Mrs. Carrington said, laughing. "My lips are sealed."
"Were relationships this difficult when you were my age?"
Mrs. Carrington gasped and grabbed her lace handkerchief, which was always tucked into her shirtsleeve. "We didn't fret like you young'uns today." She grew silent and stared into space as if looking back in time. Within a minute she shrugged it off, smiled, and said, "I best get on my way. It's the monthly book club meeting at the library and if I don't get there on time, Cicely and Ethel will be having a knockdown, drag-em-out war. I'm not kidding."