“Ted’s been in here almost every day this week, I think,” Donna said to Evelyn as he came walking into the store yet again.
“He’s been eating at the cafe most days, too. Though Mother hasn’t been with him even once. Not that our cafe food is to her liking. But I kind of thought the two of them were a thing these days.”
“Do you serve salad with dressing on the side? If not, she won’t be coming here.” Donna grinned at her sister.
“Hi, Ted. What brings you in today?” Donna asked as Ted came walking up to her.
“I need an extension cord. Moving some things around in my suite at Sunrise.”
He had on his usual friendly smile, but he seemed to be searching, a bit uneasy. There was this look of sadness tinged with hope in his eyes. But why would that be? She was probably imagining it.
“We’ve got them. Here, I’ll show you. I’ll catch you in a bit, Evelyn.” She led Ted over to the electrical area. “All lengths. Indoor. Outdoor. Take your pick.”
Ted picked out a six-foot indoor cord and turned to her. “Your store is really nice. Well supplied and organized. I really like that it looks like an old-fashioned general store.”
“Thanks, Ted.”
“Do you… do you like working here?”
Curious question. “Yes, I do. I love it here. Took over running it when my grandparents retired.”
“I don’t suppose Patricia had any interest in running the store.”
Donna laughed. “Not at all. Besides, she was always traveling with my father. Well, most of the time. Or doing business parties or events at the country club. She had no interest in the store. But I love it. There’s so much history here.” She flung her arm out. “I’m surrounded by it.”
Ted seemed genuinely interested in her answers. “So if I remember my Moonbeam history correctly, a Grace Parker started the store with her husband. In the 1920s, I believe.”
She was surprised he knew that much, but then he had grown up in Moonbeam when his family had owned the hotel. “Yes, she was my great-grandmother. Then my grandmother, Mary Lou McFarland, ran it with my grandfather. I grew up helping out in the store and took on more responsibility as I got older. When they decided to retire, they gave me the store to run.”
“And your daughter, Livy, runs the cafe?”
“She does. Opening the cafe was all her idea, and she’s made quite the success of it. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that we have Evelyn as the cook. She’s a wonderful chef.”
“I can attest to that.” He nodded. “I’ve been in there quite a few times.”
Like every day this week, if what Evelyn had told her was correct.
“And her daughter, Emily, works there, too?”
“She does. Along with working at the history museum—she’s way into history—and she does the social media for the general store and the cafe.”
“She sounds very busy.”
“She is. And she’s smart and works hard at school. She’s hoping for a scholarship to college.”
“Sounds like a wonderful young lady.”
“She is.” She glanced over to see more customers coming in. “So, did you need anything else?”
“Ah, no. This is all.” They headed back to the checkout. She rang him out and handed him his purchase. “See you soon.”
He stared at her for a long moment, then smiled. “Yes, I’m sure I’ll be back soon.”
He walked out the door, and she frowned. Maybe he was lonely and came in here for some company? Maybe things between her mother and Ted hadn’t worked out. She wasn’t certain.
But one thing was certain. Ted Cabot sure liked coming to Parker’s.