Shelley Wilson looked out her window and saw a moving van parking at the house next door. A car pulled up behind the truck and a tall, leggy woman stepped out. She had very close-cropped hair, almost boyishly cut. Definitely not a boyish figure; more like a showgirl, though rather larger-breasted. Shelley approved.
She waited until the men in the van had begun moving boxes and crates inside. Then she went out to greet the newcomer.
"Hi, neighbor. I'm Shelley Wilson." She held out her hand.
The stranger took the proffered hand and shook it. "Hello. I'm Peggy Martin. I just moved here from Seattle."
Shelley looked for signs of a wedding ring but saw only a pale mark on the woman's ring finger. "Actually, I was considering making an offer for that house. I covet the pool."
"That's why I wanted it. I'm just coming off a divorce and this is part of the settlement."
"Looks like you got the best of the bargain." Shelley studied Peggy's face. She had green eyes, with a splash of freckles across her nose. Shelley liked what she saw.
"Well, I think I deserved it," Peggy said. "The son-of-a-bitch was rich, but that's all I can say in his favor."
Shelley figured that's the reason she seemed so abrupt. Nothing like a messy divorce to give one a sour puss. "Peggy, why don't you come over to my place and have a cup of coffee with me?"
"I'd love it. Give me a minute to give some instructions to the movers and I'll be right over."
"Swell. Just come around to the back and come on in. I'll be making the coffee."
Shelley just got the coffee going when Peggy showed up. She seemed to look a little less harried.
At Shelley's invitation Peggy sat at the kitchen table. "I hate moving, but this was just what I needed. I think I can put down roots here."
"It is a nice town, even if it's off the beaten path," Shelley said cheerily.
"I've just about had enough of the beaten path." She was silent for a moment. Then she asked, "Are you married?"
Shelley looked away for a second, trying to keep the tears from coming. "I was widowed last year. My husband died of a massive heart attack."
"Oh, I'm sorry," Peggy said. She put her hand gently over Shelley's.
"It's alright. My son Jerry and I are gradually getting used to it. Jerry just graduated from the university. He's going to stay home for a while until we get our bearings." Shelley got up to pour coffee for the two of them. "Fortunately, Ted had a large insurance policy and he had made some profitable investments, so we're okay financially."
"That's good. At least, you don't have that on your back."
They chatted amiably for an hour. Then Peggy stood up. "Well, I'd better get back over there and try to stow some of the goods away."
"Can I help you?"
"Thanks, Shelley, but I'm just going to go through the motions today. I'll just unpack enough to get by for now. Tomorrow, I'll start the heavy stuff."
"Then you come back this evening and have some supper with us."
"Oh, that would be great. Thanks so much, Shelley. What time?"
"Six would be just right. You can meet Jerry, too."
Peggy moved to the door. "At six, then."
Shelley sat back and sipped her coffee. Peggy seemed a level-headed sort. And very attractive. She'd have to keep an eye on Jerry. She'd probably have to keep an eye on Peggy, too.
Jerry came in just then, and gave his mother a kiss on the forehead. He dropped his 6' 2" frame onto a chair at the table. "Hey, I see we have a new neighbor."
"Her name is Peggy Martin. She just moved here from Seattle and she's going to have supper with us."
"She's a real looker."
"She is, at that, and she's really nice. Just divorced, though, and pretty sour on men, at least for now."
"Oh," Jerry said. He looked disappointed. "Anyway, I'm going to eat at Jack's house. I just stopped by to pick up my overalls."
"Another classic restoration project?"
"Yeah."
"Okay. Just don't be too late."
"I won't." He got up from the table, kissed her cheek, then went out to the garage.
Shelley busied herself with chores until time to start supper. It was just about done when Peggy knocked at the back door.
"Hi," Peggy said. "Was that Jerry I saw leaving?"
"Yes. I thought he'd be here to meet you, but he has other plans."
"Too bad. He's gorgeous."
"Yes, he is, if I do say so myself."
"You should be proud of him. I'll bet he has girls chasing him all the time."
"No, actually. He did have a girlfriend in college. But things just didn't work out. At least he spends a lot of time taking care of me. Since Ted's death, he's been sticking pretty close to home. I think he's being a little over-protective."
"Consider yourself fortunate. That son-of-a-bitch I just divorced thought only of his money." She giggled. "But I managed to pry a good-sized alimony check out of him every month."