Jake grinned. “I’m not sweet.”

“Oh, but you are. Your mother tells me every day what a sweet kid you are. Wanna tell me she’s lying?”

Jake giggled and shook his head.

Danielle held up her free hand. “I’m your…well, your aunt, I guess. Aunt Danielle.”

Jake frowned. “Aunt?”

Before Sherry could answer, Madison said, “Aunt sounds good to me.”

“She’s not really your aunt,” Sherry said. “But you can call her that if you like.”

Jake jumped up and down. “Cool! I always wanted to have an aunt.”

Danielle smiled at Madison and Sherry. “That’s what I call a greeting.” Focusing on Jake again, she asked, “Do you wanna see where your mom works?”

“Yeah!” He pointed to the bar where a few people were standing around, drinking and chatting. “Is that where Mom works?”

“Actually, I work there mostly,” Madison said. “But your mom does sometimes too.”

Danielle stood and leaned toward Madison to whisper, “Short warning; Aunt Eileen is here.”

“What?” Madison had obviously spoken louder than expected because some people turned to look at her.

Danielle shrugged as if she couldn’t help it and wasn’t all too worried about that fact. She took Jake’s hand. “I’m going to kidnap your cute Jake for now. See ya!”

“I’m not cute.” Jake grinned, and they both disappeared into the crowd.

Sherry moved closer to her. “What is it?”

“My grandmother is h—”

“Madison!”

Sherry flinched.

If Madison didn’t feel as bad as Sherry looked, she would have probably laughed about the shocked expression on Sherry’s beautiful face.

“Hello, Grandmother.” Madison stepped up to her and blew her an air-kiss.

“Good day, Mrs. Fielding.”

Grandmother Eileen sent Sherry the ghost of a nod, then focused on Madison again.

“What a, um, surprise to see you here,” she said in a hopefully neutral tone.

“I was invited at the last minute to this”—she made a face as if smelling something foul—“party. So this is where you’ve invested your money. Or should I say your parents’ money?”

“Yeah,” Madison forced out between clenched teeth. “It’s great working at the Archer, and Sherry—”

“What?” Grandmother Eileen screeched. “You are the owner and work here like a common waitress?”

“Mrs. Fielding,” Sherry said, “I am a waitress.”

“And a really good one at that,” Madison added.

Grandmother Eileen huffed. “What is there to be good at? Taking orders, bringing orders. Anybody can do that.”

Sherry took a deep breath and let it slowly escape. Was she having the same difficulties trying to stay calm as Madison was? “Madison does so much more than simply taking orders. She oversees the staff and takes care of the management. You can be proud of your granddaughter.”