“Yes, she did.” Hope’s eyes narrowed as she drank. “Yes, she damn well did. Scratch feeling sorry for her. They deserve each other.”

“I’d say they do. I’m glad Ryder came along in time for you to do some nose-rubbing of your own.”

Hope met Justine’s amused eyes, sipped slowly. “You heard about that, too?”

“Ear to the ground, honey. Always.”

“I guess I didn’t think Ryder would mention it to you. It doesn’t seem like the sort of thing he’d bring up.”

“I heard it from another source, then poked him in the ribs about it. And about the second rendezvous.”

“It wasn’t a . . . You heard about that, too.”

“Small-town ways. If you kiss a man in a parking lot, somebody’s going to catch wind.”

And she’d thought she’d rolled into the rhythm of those small-town ways. She supposed she still had a bit to learn. “Obviously. I understand if you’d prefer I don’t—or we don’t—get involved on that level. I—”

“Why would I prefer that?” Justine arched her eyebrows. “You’re both grown-ups.”

“He’s your son. I’m your employee.”

“I love my son. I love him enough to believe he can and should make his own decisions, choose his own way. I love this inn—not as much as my boys, but it’s up there. I wouldn’t have put anyone in charge of it I didn’t believe in, I didn’t care about. Anyone I didn’t respect and trust to make her own decisions. If you and Ry decide to get involved, on any level, that’s your choice.”

She paused, her smile blooming. “I’ve seen the sparks, honey. I’ve wondered what the hell the two of you were waiting for.”

“I wasn’t sure we even liked each other. I’m still not entirely sure.”

“I’m prejudiced, but I’d say there’s a lot to like on both sides. You’ll figure it out. And if it just turns out to be sex, you’ll both enjoy yourselves.”

“That’s something I didn’t expect to hear from an employer, or the mother of a man.”

“I’m Justine first. Now that we’ve settled that, is there any inn business we need to go over before I go poke my nose in the bookstore to make sure Clare’s taking care of herself and my new grandbabies?”

“Speaking of that first, would it be all right to have the baby shower here? I know we wouldn’t have it until into the fall, but if that’s a go, I want to set up the date and block it.”

“I think that’s perfect. You let me know what I can do to help.”

“You could stay over. You, Clare, Avery, Clare’s mom, Carolee. There’d be room for three more if Clare wanted.”