Chapter 856
By the time she arrived, Archie Yoder was already there.
He must’ve been starving, because he’d gone ahead and ordered, and was busy wolfing down a cheeseburger and fries.
Calliope poured herself a glass of water, watching him with a little amusement. “Are you okay? Haven’t you eaten properly these past few days or what p>
“I’m fine. Just been a rough week, that’s all.” Archie looked up and gave her a sheepish grin, a bit of ketchup at the corner of his mouth. “Sorry, I’m not exactly making a good impression right now p>
“Oh, please, Archie, we’ve known each other forever. You eat whatever you want,” Calliope laughed, waving him off. “So, how’s everything at home? Any better now p>
Archie’s eyes lit up. “Dad finally found out that woman’s kid isn’t his after all. Now he and her are at each other’s throats, which works out pretty well for me p>
He grinned, “Thanks to the stuff you dug up for me p>
“Glad it helped.” Calliope gave him a warm look. Archie was like a little brother to her-seeing him happy made her happy, too.
“Oh, it definitely helped. You’re amazing, Callie. Anything you find is bound to be useful p>
“By the way, I’m heading out of the country for a couple weeks—got some things to take care of. Won’t be back for at least half a month p>
“Take care of yourself while I’m gone, okay p>
“Mavis and Portia were both busy today, so you were my only hope for dinner. Speaking of, have you heard anything about Mavis and Uriah Stewart lately p>
Archie snorted. “Word is Mavis is putting the pressure on Uriah, but he’s still chasing after her like a lost puppy p>
Calliope shrugged. “I think Mavis is just ready to settle down. She used to love Uriah, waited on him for years, but now? I think she’s finally over it p>
“Yeah, well, after all this time, he never gave her a real chance. Can’t blame her for moving on.” “Exactly. Honestly, she should just find some guy who treats her right and get on with her life p>
“She’s tired of all the drama with Uriah. She wants something normal for once p>
Archie slid a plate of chicken tenders across the table for Calliope. “If it wasn’t for Uriah, Mavis wouldn’t have gotten into all this mess in the first place p>
“She’s got enough saved up now, too. Maybe she’s planning to quit for good p>
Archie nodded, as if finally making peace with the idea. “And Portia? What’s she up to? Didn’t she just break up with her boyfriend p>
“Oh, Portia? She’s on a blind date tonight.” Calliope grinned, half exasperated. “Mrs. Sutton basically staged an intervention said Portia keeps picking the wrong the wrong guys and won’t ever get married if she keeps this up. So she set her up with some guy she knows from church p>
“Ouch,” Archie said, making a face.
Calliope turned the tables on him, eyeing him with a mischievous glint. “What about you, Archie? We’ve all had crushes, or dated
someone except you, as tabac
know. Or is there something you’re not telling us p>
Archie held up his hands
defensively. “Come on, you know my
family situation,
Who’d want to get
mixed up in that just be dragging
someone else into my mess.
“But is there someone you like?” Calliope’s eyes sparkled.
Archie hesitated, then nodded.
“Who is it?” Calliope leaned in, eager.
“That’s a secret!” Archie grinned, teasing her.
“You won’t even tell me? Am I supposed to know her p>
“Let’s just eat, okay?” Archie said, dodging the question.
Calliope didn’t push. She knew he’d open up when he was ready.