Hidden Riches

Guiltily thinking of diets, Lea added a miserly half teaspoon of sugar to her own cup.
    Mary Pat turned back the topic of conversation.
    “I was surprised when he moved in here. Your sister’s quite the entrepreneur—a shop owner, a landlord.”
    “Oh, Dora loves to run things.”
    Pushy, Mary Pat decided. Arrogant. She was glad, for Jed’s sake, that she’d come by to snoop. She turned when she heard voices drifting in through the doorway.
    “I think I know where to find just what you’re looking for, Mrs. Hendershot.” Dora helped an elderly woman leaning heavily on a birchwood cane through the shop.
    “You’ll call me,” she demanded in a voice that boomed shockingly from the frail body. “My great-granddaughter’swedding is in two months. Young people, always hurrying.”
    “Don’t worry.” Dora held the woman’s arm as they came to the door and, despite the thin protection of her silk suit, walked her out to the classic DeSoto waiting at the curb. “We’re going to find her the perfect gift.”
    “Don’t disappoint me.” Mrs. Hendershot propped her cane on the passenger seat as she took the wheel. “Get inside, girl, you’ll catch your death.”
    “Yes, ma’am.” Dora made it to the curb before Mrs. Hendershot roared off into traffic. Dora hurried back inside, rubbing her chilled hands. “If she had the pole position at Indy, nobody would beat her.”
    “A woman that age shouldn’t be driving,” Lea stated, and poured her sister a cup of coffee.
    “Why not? She handles that old tank like a pro. Good morning,” she said to Mary Pat. “Is Lea helping you?”
    Mary Pat had had ample time to study her quarry. She approved, with a tinge of envy, the stylishness of Dora’s floral jacket, and the straight, snug skirt the color of apricots. As a woman who stood on her feet for hours on end, she marveled at Dora’s choice of high-heeled pumps, and wondered if the sapphire clusters at her ears were real or paste.
    “I came in looking for a birthday gift. Lea and I are neighbors.”
    “This is Mary Pat Chapman,” Lea told her.
    All of Mary Pat’s preformed opinions shattered when Dora smiled and took her hand. There was instant warmth, quick friendliness. “I’m so glad you came by. I was hoping I’d get a chance to meet you. Brent was terrific the other night, keeping me calm. By the way, did you like the biscuit barrel?”
    “Yes, I did.” Mary Pat relaxed. “In fact, I liked it so much I came by to look for a gift for my mother.” She hesitated, then set her cup down. “That’s only part of the reason I came in. Mostly I’m here to check you out.”
    Dora’s eyes laughed over the rim of her cup. “Who could blame you? Well, while you’re checking me out,why don’t we find Mom a present? Did you have anything in mind?”
    “Not a thing. Have you ever been married?”
    Dora almost giggled at the unambiguous interrogation. “Nope. I was almost engaged once. Remember Scott, Lea?”
    “Unfortunately.”
    “He moved to LA, and our romance faded quietly away. How about something in a perfume bottle? We have several nice pieces in crystal, porcelain, blown glass.”
    “Maybe. She does have a vanity table. Oh, this one’s lovely.” She picked up a heart-shaped bottle with cut flowers decorating both front and back. “You consider your shop successful? Ah, financially?”
    Dora grinned. “I’m not interested in a man’s bank account, even one as nicely padded as Jed’s. I’m much more interested in his body. That bottle runs seventy-five, but if you like it, I’ll give you ten percent off. An introductory special.”
    “Sold.” Mary Pat grinned back. “He is easy on the eyes, isn’t he?”
    “Very. Would you like this gift-wrapped?”
    “Yeah.” Mary Pat followed Dora to the counter. “I’m not usually so pushy, but Jed’s like family.”
    “I understand. If I hadn’t, I’d have been pushy back.”
    More than pleased with the results of her visit, Mary Pat laughed. “Good. You know, Dora, all Jed needs is—” She broke off when the man in question came through from the storeroom.
    “Conroy, do you want these—” He stopped, narrowed his eyes. “MP.”
    “Hey.” Her smile was quick and a little forced. “Fancy meeting you here.”
    He knew her well, too well. He hooked his thumbs in his pockets with forced casualness. “What are you doing?”
    “I’m buying a present.” She took out her credit card to prove it. “For my