There's Always Plan B by Susan Mallery Page A

blushed. “No, you are,” she mumbled. “Jack’s come up with some great ideas for colors.”
    He shrugged. “I’m really interested in the house, Mrs. Spencer. I’ve heard about it for years, but I’ve never been. The ghost thing. Totally cool. I’ve been doing some research on ghosts and paranormal phenomenon. I’ve even bought some equipment, you know, to help find it.”
    Tiffany looked at him. “My mom’s seen the ghost.”
    â€œFor real?”
    â€œNot recently,” Carly said. “That was years ago. You should come out and look around.”
    His face brightened. He glanced at Tiffany and seemed to almost glow. “Thank you for asking. I’d like that very much. Look, um, I have to get back to class. I just wanted to let you know that it wasn’t Tiffany’s fault.”
    He smiled at her, winked at her daughter, then loped away.
    Carly watched him go. Okay, he was a good kid with decent manners. She liked that and she liked him. Of course saying that was a really bad idea.
    â€œHe’s older, isn’t he?” she asked instead.
    â€œJust by a year. He’s sixteen.” Tiffany sighed. “He has his license. Do you think he likes me?”
    â€œI don’t know. Maybe. I’m not sure about him, though.”
    Tiffany rolled her eyes. “You don’t like anyone I like. So why did you invite him over?”
    â€œSo I can keep an eye on him and you.”
    â€œI hate my life.”
    â€œI’m sure you do. Look, go get your note from Mrs. Beecham and head to class. I’ll be by after your detention to pick you up.”
    Tiffany nodded, but before she turned away, she asked, “What’s my punishment at home?”
    Carly almost asked “For what?” when she remembered the tardiness. She weighed the options and decided to go with her gut.
    â€œYou’ve never done this before,” she said. “I think there are extenuating circumstances. Your detention is enough.”
    Tiffany’s whole face brightened. “Yeah?”
    â€œYeah.”
    Her daughter flung her arms around her and hugged her hard. “You’re the best, Mom.”
    â€œI am pretty cool, aren’t I?”
    Â 
    Carly had barely taken two steps when she saw Mr. Everwood, aka Steve, approaching.
    â€œWe meet again,” he said, looking handsome in a math-teacher sort of way. “I heard about Tiffany. I think the tardy rule takes things a little too far, but I don’t make the rules.”
    â€œMe, either. But it’s handled.”
    â€œHow are you settling in?”
    â€œGetting there. I’m working hard at the B and B. It’s fun, but challenging.”
    â€œI heard there were some changes.”
    â€œThat’s true.”
    â€œI’d love to hear the details. How about over dinner?”
    The man was too smooth by far, Carly thought.
    â€œI, uh, dinner.” With Mr. Everwood? Could she really do that? “Um, sure. Great.”
    â€œI’ll give you a call.”
    She nodded and started backing toward the main entrance. “I know you know the number. Thanks. I, uh, I have to get back to work. Good to see you.”
    â€œYou, too, Carly.”
    She turned to bolt, but before she could get up any speed, he called her back.
    â€œHow are we doing on the whole ‘calling me by my first name’ thing?” he asked with a grin.
    â€œIt’s much better.”
    â€œYou’re lying.”
    â€œOkay. I’m working on it.”
    â€œKeep practicing.”
    Â 
    Carly watched her mother debate which side to come down on. Tiffany shouldn’t be late to class, but this was her beloved granddaughter and she had been working to help the B and B.
    â€œYou’ve spoken with her?” Rhonda asked.
    â€œYes, and she has detention for two days. That should be unpleasant enough to remind her to get back in class on time.”
    â€œAre