Cora was carrying her Aunt's tray down the stairs the following morning when she saw Margie admitting Teddy and a woman into the hall.

"Teddy, what are you doing here?" she asked as she handed off the tray to Margie.

"I called Garrett this morning to apologize for my mistake last night and when I offered to take you both out this evening, to make up for it, he mentioned that you were attending a business dinner with him. He also mentioned that he was concerned because you had told him that you didn't have anything to wear."

Cora nodded as she listened to her talk in a rush, watching the woman behind her take in the house. The woman was small in stature like Cora. She had mousy brown hair which was pulled back into a ponytail and a pair of glasses rested on her makeup free face. Her brown eyes were busy scanning everything on which they landed, including Cora.

The differences in the two women were dramatic.  Teddy was vibrant in her red tailored business suit and the woman behind her was muted by black slacks and a navy sweater set.

"Oh, forgive me Cora, this is Andie Ball my assistant, Andie this is Cora Scott, Garrett's fiancé."

"Shhhh." Cora hushed Teddy as she looked over her shoulder.  "Aunt Mable doesn't know about me and Garrett and she's not going to know for now."

Teddy looked at her oddly then shrugged. "You'll have to fill me in on that one later but first, take me to see Aunt Mable. I think it's time that she made my acquaintance once again."

"Again, you've met her before?"

Teddy grimaced. "About fifteen years ago at one of Garrett's birthday parties. She and her late husband attended. We didn't much care for each other."

"Then why do you want to meet her again?" Cora was truly mystified. There really was no need.

"I need to know all the players in the game my dear." She handed her purse and coat to Andie, "Do you have somewhere Andie can wait?"

Cora led the woman across the hall to the living room, where she once again, seemed fascinated by her surroundings. "How old is this place?" she asked as she set her stuff down on a chair.

"It was built in 1888." Cora supplied, she was about to launch into the history when Teddy stopped her by pulling her in the direction of the stairs.

"We have a lot to do today, there's no time for a history lesson now."

Closing the door behind her, Teddy took Cora's arm. "I really am sorry about last night-,"

"It's fine Teddy."

"And today, Garrett meant well when he suggested that I come and meet you. He thought you might like to have someone to go shopping with."

Cora turned to face Teddy. "It's fine Teddy, really." I don't expect your and Garrett's relationship to change.  He's your best friend and its natural that he's going to want to share things about his life with you. And I appreciate that you want to help me. It can't be an easy thing to have me butting into your relationship all of the sudden."

"Easy! It's wonderful!"

"There is just one thing I'm confused by, Andie, why is she here?"

"Oh that, I thought we could start on the renovation, I am an interior designer after all." She caught Cora's anxious look. "Don't worry Garrett says you have to approve everything, but I have a few ideas and before I get them down on paper I want Andie to get some measurements and phots.  I thought she could start on that while we go shopping."

"That hardly seems fair to the poor girl." Cora looked over her shoulder at the closed door with a frown.

Teddy gave her a smile that was almost tender. "Don't worry about Andie, she's a work horse. She keeps me on schedule. I really don't know where I would be without her."

Cora nodded, still unsure as Teddy motioned to the stairs with her arm, letting her lead the way to Aunt Mable's room. When they arrived Cora knocked on the door, opening it when Aunt Mable's voice told her to enter.

"Aunt Mable, there's someone here who wants to renew your acquaintance." Cora used Teddy's words as she entered the room with Teddy on her heels.

"Hello Mrs. Scott-Reed." Teddy greeted as her eyes did a quick scan of the room and the woman.

Aunt Mable's eyes narrowed. "I remember you! What are you doing here?"

"I've come to spend the day with Cora." Teddy linked her arm through Cora's once more.

"I bet you have." Aunt Mable snorted.

Cora watched as Teddy's smile fled and her jaw clenched.

"I'm not blind, I know all about you girl." Mable pointed her finger at Teddy.

Cora looked between the two. There was obviously something she was missing. Aunt Mable had struck a nerve and Teddy was having a hard time shaking it off as she continued.

"I doubt that Mrs. Scott-Reed." There was a sharp edge to Teddy's voice despite her distressed look that surprised Cora.

"Have you come to make nice in an attempt to get Garrett to marry you? I know that was always your plan. You were going to use him to make you respectable."

"I'm already very respectable." Teddy forced a smile onto her face that didn't reach her eyes.

Aunt Mable only shook her head in response, she was wearing a smile of such malice that Cora had to stop herself from stepping back.

"Are you ready Cora, we should get going." Teddy had evidently discovered all she needed to and was ready to be gone. Cora couldn't blame her in the least.

"Watch yourself with her Cora, she'll take you to hell faster than the devil himself would." Aunt Mable warned.

"The Devil himself? Really?" Teddy gave a laugh that made Cora look at her with concern.

"Cora would fight the devil but she might not fight you." Aunt Mable looked between the two of them with an evil glint in her eye and Cora felt a shiver chase up her spine. She wished Garrett was with them. He would have handled the situation for all of them.

Teddy was done though. "I wish I could say it was a pleasure seeing you again but I cant; you're still a bitch." Teddy turned, opening the door and walking out of the room waiting in the hall for Cora who had followed her lead.

They were quiet as they headed down the stairs. Something important had just happened but Cora was at a loss as to what it was. Teddy seemed to be shaking it off though as she immediately started talking about where they should go shopping and what they should buy Cora.

"Just a few things today. We can go again soon and get you an entire wardrobe." Teddy turned to her with and over bright smile. "This is going to be so much fun. I love to shop."

"I can tell." Cora gave a weak smile, still confused. She wanted to ask Teddy a whole host of questions but she guessed that Teddy didn't want to talk about it since she was already onto the next subject.

"Let me get my things and then we can go, O.K."

Teddy nodded. "Don't keep me waiting too long or I might go without you." She smiled as she opened the living room door closing it behind her.

As soon as she was alone Cora raced to the study and dialed the number that Garrett had left for her. He had mentioned getting her a phone at breakfast but until then she had to call him from a landline.

"Hello Cora." His warm voice greeted her and she immediately felt better. She was sure he would take care of it.

"Teddy's here-," she began but he cut her off before she could finish.

"I know, I suggested it, I thought that she could keep you company today." He sounded concerned and she knew that he was remembering the previous evening.

"It's not that. I'm glad she's going with me."

"Then what's wrong?"

Cora quickly filled him in on what had happened with Aunt Mable and when she was finished the silence on the other end of the phone was deafening.

"I don't know what it all means, all I know is Teddy is very upset."

"Where is she now?" His voice was hard.

"She's with her assistant, Andie, in the living room. She was going to leave her here while we went shopping." Cora patiently waited for him to say something.

"Wait a few minutes before you join them. If Andie is with her she'll be fine."

"You're sure?"

"Yes." The word was clipped but his voice softened as he changed the subject. "I can't wait to see what you buy. Let Teddy pay for it and I'll pay her back, all right?"

"All right." Cora agreed. "Sorry if I interrupted you at work but I wasn't sure what to do, she was so upset."

"You can call me at any time for anything Cora." There was a long silence between them. "But now I really do have to go, have fun with Teddy."

"I will, I'll see you later."

"Yes, you will." He agreed before the phone went dead.

Cora sat thinking about what had happened with Aunt Mable. Garrett knew what was going on and he had no intention of filling her in on the situation. She really wanted to know but she didn't want to put him in a situation where he had to choose her over Teddy, and she had the feeling that if she asked too many questions that is what would happen.

Her only option was to tread carefully and hope, that in time, all of her questions would be answered by either Garrett or Teddy.