“No,” Gemma said. “I’ve heard nothing from her. Have you heard anything from the family?”
“Nothing, and that’s interesting. I figured they’d have a lot to say. And I was sure Jean would have raised a big stink. She really loves drama.”
“What about in town?” Gemma asked. “What are people there saying about the breakup?”
“I haven’t heard any gossip at all. Everyone is talking about Colin buying Luke’s house and spending time with you.”
Gemma groaned. “Everything is happening too fast!” She wanted to change the subject to something other than herself. “So is the model the one who stole Pere’s heart?”
Rachel dropped a stainless bowl on the tile floor and it clattered loudly.
Gemma was staring at her because Rachel’s face had turned bright red. It looked like the person who wanted Pere’s heart was Rachel. “You—” she began.
“If you say a word, I’ll poison your dinner,” Rachel said. “I shouldn’t have said anything.”
“I don’t mean to sound like a first grader, but does Pere know you . . . like him?”
“Pere doesn’t know I exist. You saw the kind of woman he likes.”
“I can understand that,” Gemma said. “On the other hand, when I met Jean I thought she was the kind of woman Colin liked. But now . . .” She shrugged.
For a moment Rachel paused, a pot lid in her hand. “The Fraziers are from generations of money. As upper class as you can get in the U.S. They don’t fall for the hired help.”
“You could join the rest of Edilean and make a Heartwish for him,” Gemma said, trying to lighten the mood.
“You think I haven’t? I’ve been thinking of nothing else since I heard that story.”
“You think the whole town knows about the Stone?” Gemma asked in horror.
“No. Only the seven families. If outsiders heard of it, this house would be picketed. The only reason I know of it is because I overheard Mrs. Frazier bellyaching about her nonexistent grandbabies.”
“Don’t remind me. I’ve become a fanatic about taking my pills.” Except for the first time, she thought but didn’t say.
“Can you mash potatoes with a hand mixer?” Rachel asked.
“Sure. Just point me to it.” Minutes later, Gemma had on an apron and was whirring away at a huge pot full of cooked potatoes.
When Rachel went out, Mr. Frazier came in. He took a stool across the counter from her and helped himself to Rachel’s tray of olives and cheeses.
“There’s something I’ve been wanting to ask you,” Gemma said as she turned off the mixer.
“What’s that?” There was caution in his voice, as though he dreaded what she was about to say.
“Do you think they really sent a repairman for a broken axle, or did the Rolls-Royce people just make up that story?”
Mr. Frazier laughed. “I’ve always wondered that too. What do you think?”
“My dad said the story was true. How many Rollses do you own?”
“One Rolls, one Bentley,” he said.
The kitchen door opened, and Pere came in. “I thought I’d find you in here,” he said to his father. He looked at Gemma. “So you can cook.”
“I can push the button on the mixer and use it on potatoes Rachel cooked.”
“Better than I can do,” Pere said. “What about you, Dad?”
“Much better. I thought mashed potatoes came out of a box.”