Page 98 of That Conflicted Feeling

I’venever seen an expression that saysItold you somore than the one onMrs.B’sface when we walk back into the shop.

“Goodgrief,” she says. “Youweren’t expecting that, were you,Polly?Youlook as dazed as if you’d been slapped across the face with a wet tuna.”

“I’ma little surprised, yes.”Ihold onto the stand of red, green, and yellow peppers. “Andstill a bit wobbly.”

“I’llget you some water,” saysCarlyas she skips out the back.

“Andit’s not only the community gardens, you know,” saysMrs.B, like she has top-secret intel. “Mynephew told meYellowBarn’salso going to start giving an area of each of its stores over to local producers.Notjust fruits and vegetables, but locally made things too, like your mom’s soaps, orAngus’scandles—things like that.Allkinds of things.”

Thisis all too much to take in.Mymind and my heart don’t know what to do with themselves.OneminuteIthink my trust was betrayed by the man of my dreams, who was about to put me out of business.Thenext, it turns out he listened to everythingIsaid and has completely reversed a lucrative business plan.

“Ican’t believe it,Mrs.B.”Ilet go of the pepper stand and try to pull myself together.

“Ithink you had more of an effect on that handsome young man than you realized,” she says with a wink.

Carlyrattles back through the beaded curtain with a glass of water. “Hereyou go.”

Iglug it down and plonk the glass on the counter.

“Okay.”Iclap my hands. “Firstthings first.”

Iwrap my arms aroundMrs.B’sneck. “Thankyou for being the best customer any grocer could wish for.”

Shepats me on the back. “ButIhardly ever buy anything, my love.”

“Idon’t care.You’vecontributed more this morning than a lifetime of shopping could.”

Iturn toCarly. “Andcould you please take care of the shop for the rest of the day?”

Sheshrugs. “Sure.”

“Andthen go deal with the goats?AndhelpMomwith dinner?Andeverything else she can’t do with that cast on?”

Shenods. “Um, yeah.Why?”

“Andspend the night with her?”

“Thenight?Yes, of course.Butwhat are you up to?”

“Ihave to go somewhere.”

“When?”

“Now.”

29

MAX

“Whatdo you think,Max?”

Rick, who’s been giving a boardroom presentation on “SupplyChainManagementfor theTwenty-firstCentury” for the last half hour, seems to be under the impressionI’vebeen paying attention.

I’mnot sure how he’s managed to shoehorn this topic into our meeting about investing in product-based businesses, but he’s definitely well prepared.

GuessImust be faking my interest okay, though.OrmaybeRick’smistaken me chewing my pen, swiveling in this unnecessarily ostentatious leather chair, and wondering whatPolly’sdoing right now, for total fascination with “the four stages of the chain.”

Guesswhat,Rick?You’reconfusing me with someone who gives a fuck.