The gift of Gabby

As a surprise Mother’s Day gift, Gabby set her mom, Tess, up with the handsome owner of a fix-it shop…and their fix-up soon turns into true love

Mom, can you still help with the library class on Saturday?” Tess’ daughter, Gabby, was the town librarian and liked to plan amusing new courses for her patrons.

“Sure!” Tess put her phone on speaker while she washed dishes. “Which one is this?”

“Remember I told you about the little f ix-it shop I found? I talked the owner, Jim, into putting together a demonstration for the library.”

Tess laughed. She knew about her daughter’s powers of persuasion. She’d inherited that trait from her late father. “Talked him into it, huh? Poor guy.”

“It’s called, Fixing Things MacgyverStyle,” Gabby said. “Sounds fun, right?” “Macgyver-style?”

“Do I need to bring paperclips and duct tape?” Tess asked.

“No, but…i hear the water running, Mom. Is your dishwasher still broken?”

Tess almost said, Don’t worry, there aren’t that many dirty dishes when you’re cooking for one, but she caught herself. Her daughter worried about her. Instead, she answered, “Don’t worry, I’ll call someone soon.”

Gabby changed the subject. “Remember, on Sunday, no cooking or cleaning. We’re taking you out somewhere special for Mother’s Day! The kids can’t wait.”

On Saturday, in the library’s community room, Gabby introduced her mom to Jim. Tess hadn’t expected him to be so attractive. She also hadn’t expected the f lush she felt rising to her face, or the tingle when they shook hands. She was happy she’d put on some lipstick and worn the slim new jeans

Gabby talked her into buying.

“I’ll be working on the main f loor if you need anything,” Gabby said. “But I think you two will make a great team.” She gave a little wave walking out. “Thanks for helping today,” Jim said. “I’m a little nervous about all of this.” He ran a hand over his thick white hair. His bright blue eyes matched his polo, and with his tan, pressed khakis, and slim build, Tess thought he looked like he’d stepped right out of a golfing ad. As they sorted through a few boxes of wires, pipes and tools, he said, “Looks like a bit of a mess, but I do have a plan.” “Messes don’t scare me,” Tess said.

“Tess found herself admiring Jim’s quick humor and good nature…”

“I taught grade school for 25 years.” “Perfect! Maybe you can sub?” he teased. “You’ll be f ine,” she said. “And it wouldn’t be good if I called every tool a thingamajig!”

As they set up and rehearsed, they talked. When he asked what she liked to do, she found herself telling him about her book club, her walking group and other classes at the library. “I guess I like to keep busy.”

“I can’t sit still either.” He grinned. “When my wife passed, my son encouraged me to open the shop.”

Tess nodded. “My daughter worries now that I’m alone too. She bought me the Alexa device so it wouldn’t be quiet all the time. It’s wonderful and fills my house with music!”

“My son got me a cat named Oscar,” Jim said. “He f ills my house with hair.”

They laughed together and when the class started, Tess found herself admiring Jim’s quick humor and good nature while he demonstrated how to easily f ix a jammed vacuum, cover furniture scratches and patch drywall— even if you weren’t a pro.

Jim included Tess in the demonstrations too. “My lovely assistant will now show the group a trick to save your f ingers when using a hammer.” And just like they’d practiced, Tess used a clothespin to hold a nail and f lawlessly hammered it into a block of wood. The class applauded as she took a bow.

Soon Jim had everyone trying his Macgyver-style tricks, like using toothpaste to clean car headlights. By the end, everyone was charmed, especially Tess, and Jim gained some future customers too. He sighed happily as they f iled out.

“So, when do you want me to make a house call?” he asked.

“What do you mean?” Tess asked. “Gabby said you would help me with the class and in exchange, I’d take a look at your broken dishwasher.”

“Oh, really?”

They exchanged glances.

“I’m guessing this was…a little bit of a f ix-up?” Jim grinned.

Tess shook her head. “You don’t have to repair my dishwasher. This was fun, and you were…lovely.” She blushed.

“I’d still like to come over,” Jim said. “We can talk more. I’m a wiz at f ixing things.”

“I’m a wiz at pot roast,” Tess said. “So only if I can make you dinner.”

Jim grinned ear to ear. “Now that sounds…lovely.”

Tess laughed. Her daughter always did give the best gifts.