Lib Novel Page 154
And if she bought a few things as well, she told herself she did so to be supportive.
“You’re running out of stock,” she said to Trey when he had a minute.
“Yeah, it’s good to see. I had to tell her what Wes did, and she’s been pretty down. This is going to lift her up again.”
“If you and Owen aren’t worn out after this, come to dinner. Stay the weekend.”
“Dinner sounds great. The weekend even better. I’m sorry I haven’t had any time in the last few days.”
“For a good cause. I’m going to get Cleo away from here before she buys something else. Come up when you can.”
“Hey.” He pulled her in, kissed her on the lawn where strangers and neighbors, clients and family browsed what was left.
In the end, Trey and Owen helped load up the borrowed folding tables.
“Thanks, Mom, seriously.”
“Neighbors help neighbors, but you’re welcome. I’ll see the money’s deposited, and the firm can cut Marlo a check on Monday morning.”
“Great. Got a total there, mistress of the cashbox?”
“I do.” Walking over, Anna handed her mother the cashbox. “Three thousand, three hundred fifty-eight dollars and fifty cents.”
“That’s a damn nice haul,” Owen commented.
“It is, but that’s not all. And remind me whose idea it was to put out that giant pickle jar that saidFor Marlo and the kids, with their picture on it?”
Trey gave her a brotherly eye roll. “Yours.”
“That’s right, I nearly forgot. And I’m going to admit it wasn’t just hormones that had me tearing up when Bob Bailey stuffed a hundred in there. Fifteen hundred and eighty-three dollars—for a grand total of forty-nine hundred forty-one dollars and fifty cents.”
“Make that five thousand and whatever.” Owen dug out his wallet. “Hell, I’ve only got eighty-five on me. I’m keeping the five. Lend me twenty.”
With another eye roll, Trey pulled out his wallet, passed Owen twenty.
“And here’s another hundred and fifty-eight dollars and…” Trey dug in his pocket. “Fifty cents. That makes it an even fifty-two hundred.”
Teary, Anna kissed them both.
Seth jogged up. “Deuce and I got the trash bagged up and stowed in the back of the truck. What’s this?”
“With these last contributions, fifty-two hundred goes to Marlo.”
“Let’s make it fifty-five. Solid number.” He took out a money clip, peeled off bills.
“Show-off.”
Grinning at Owen, he passed the bills to his mother-in-law.
“You’re very good boys,” Corrine said. “I’m proud of you, and of my very good girl. Proud enough I’ll spring for pizza and a bottle of Chianti.”
“Baby girl says: Pizza, yum.”
When Anna put a hand on her baby mound, Seth laid his over it. “So do Mom and Dad.”
“Gotta rain check that, Mom,” Trey said. “Owen and I have an earlier invite to dinner at the manor.”
“What’re they making? Because,” Owen said, “pizza.”