Velvet and Lace(34)

Daphne shook her head. “No it’s okay. I’m okay, I promise. I know that I will feel better if you are at the shop, helping. And I seriously doubt anyone is actually going to attack me. Justin said he didn’t think there would any sort of threat against me either. It is possible that this was just some stupid prank.” She looked up and saw the doubt in Trent’s eyes and she didn’t really believe that either. But it was still hard to believe someone wanted to hurt her.

“Call me. At any point you need me. I will stop by later and check on you no matter what.” He placed a soft kiss on her lips, and she kissed him back.

Daphne placed a hand on his cheek and then turned away. She needed to make sure Grams was okay. She stopped at the door and watched him pull away.

Daphne jumped at the sound of Grams’ voice behind her. “He’s a good man for you, Magnolia.” She was standing behind her in her bathrobe with two cups of coffee in her hand.

“He is a good man. What are you doing up?”

“It’s early, but I was already awake before the phone rang. Patty called me. She heard the sirens when she was starting the prep for the day, and once she knew it was your new shop, she called me. I’ve been worrying, but I figured you would be by soon. And now you’re here.” She held out the second cup of coffee. “I figured you might need this as well.”

“Thanks Grams.” She grabbed the elbow the older woman held out and she followed her inside. She smiled at the smell of breakfast. “You’ve been up for a while.”

“Well, after Patty called, I had to do something. So I made biscuits, gravy, and pork chops.” Her short grey hair was already styled for the day, brushed in waves away from her face. Her light blue eyes were full of concern. Daphne walked into her out stretched arms and took in Grams’ familiar scent.

She ran her hand through Daphne’s long blonde hair. “Is there anything I can do for you?”

Daphne shook her head and pulled away. “I don’t even know what to think, Grams, I can’t imagine why anyone would want to burn down my shop. I didn’t think it would be particularly welcome in Ambrosia, but I also didn’t think anyone would be that angry over it.”

“Angry over what, my dear?” Grams led her over to the kitchen table and then went over to make two plates. When she returned Daphne confessed what the shop really was and watched as Grams eyes bugged for a moment and then burst out laughing in a deep belly laugh.

“Oh lord, honey. You are definitely going to shake thing up around here aren’t you?” They ate in silence for a moment. Until Grams put her fork down. “It’s going to be the talk of the town for a while but I don’t think anyone is going to be particularly angry over it. Especially not angry enough to try and burn it down. We don’t have that kind of crime around here. Sure, Gary gets drunk every now and then and gets a little touchy feely with the women and occasionally the teens throw a rowdy party. But, honey, no one would burn down your shop.”

“Someone tried to, Grams. I don’t know who it was, but I know that someone has to dislike me enough to try and burn it down. I’m lucky that the fire department got there when they did. Trent says there isn’t too much damage and he and his crew should be able to fix it.” Daphne ran a hand through her hair. She finished her plate and pushed it away. Grams had been silent for a while and she looked up to see the older woman staring at her with a smirk on her face.

“What?”

“I was just watching the way your expression changed when you talked about Trent. It’s about time you know.”

“About time? Grams, I’ve only been back in town for a few weeks.”

“And? That boy has been interested in you for years. He just had to pull his head out of his ass and get away from those stuck up pricks of friends he used to have.” Grams sipped at her coffee and Daphne sat quietly for a moment trying to let her words sink in.

“You are crazy. I was fat and ugly back in high school. I kissed him and he rejected me.”

“You are not fat and ugly. You never have been. Yu just let those mean bitches make you think you were. Trent never looked at you like that. I remember the way he used to look at him when you tutored him. He used to watch you when you had your head buried in a book.” Grams picked up the dishes and walked to the sink. Daphne was too shocked to move. “You’re curves have always been your best asset, my dear, and even though you’ve been rather conscious of your body. I’m glad to see you haven’t completely lost them.” She winked over her shoulder, as she began to wash the dishes. The silence was refreshing. Daphne sat listening to the water slosh in the sink, until a thought occurred to her.