I started writing this sometime last year and for whatever reason put it in a folder for another time or more inspiration.
Eve Simpson sighed heavily before plastering a smile on her face and walking over to the man that just entered the diner. He was a stranger in town. She knew every man over thirty in Cabot Cove and if the stranger wasn't interested in a date, he might be in the market for a house.
She wasn't above flirting or making a move on a man to sell a house or for personal gratification. It kept the world spinning in her opinion.
Half an hour later, she slumped back to her seat. The stranger had only stopped on his way to Morgan Bay and needed directions. Not for the first time did she think maybe she needed to move to a bigger town. The problem with a larger population was there would be more competition. It was already difficult for a woman in her fifties to find a decent man. She worked hard at keeping her body fit, dressing nicely, and keeping her hands nice and soft. The upkeep was time consuming but worth it.
Unfortunately, she was currently without a partner for dates and her physical needs weren't being met at all. She needed a man and wanted one quickly.
In the town of Cabot Cove there were three thousand five hundred and sixty people. Sixty-two percent of the population was female which left approximately twelve hundred males, give or take. Of those males, only three hundred and sixty seven were over forty.
She knew the statistics of the town intimately. Of the three hundred plus males remaining two hundred and thirty were happily married, underemployed, or broke. Once she eliminated those over seventy-five she was left with thirty-four men. Thirteen of them she had already had relationships with and found them lacking, six were interested in other men, and two were still attached to their mothers. That left about a dozen men once you removed Mayor Sam from the tally. She wasn't that desperate.
She mulled over the dozen men and tried to decide between Lowell Dawson, dull but financially secure, and Seth Hazlitt, a little dour but must have some redeeming qualities if Jessica could stand his company for so long. Jessica had been saying for years that she and Doc Hazlitt were just friends and Eve found herself believing it or wanting to believe it. It didn't matter that Doc cooked her meals and they went off spelunking or hiking or doing something outdoorsy. Jessica wasn't the type to flaunt her body and even after her husband died, she didn't spruce up her wardrobe much. She still wore sweatsuits or those godawful sweaters to cover her turtlenecks.
She made a snap decision. She would try to attract Seth's attention and see what happens.
Three weeks later Eve was ready to scream. She knew she would have to be subtle with ol' Doc Hazlitt. He was definitely old fashioned enough to insist on doing the chasing. She couldn't just walk up and plant a big smacker on the man. She carefully laid out a plan. She listened closely to what the doctor said and laughed at the little quips he told. She sympathized with him over whatever upset him. She didn't even know most of the time what he was ranting over, just that he seemed easily affronted.
That wasn't getting her anywhere so she started standing closer to him. She touched his shoulder when passing him by. She waved at him when she saw him in town. She gave him suggestive smiles. She wished she had Jessica's bustline. That would make him notice her. Still, she dressed to show off the assets she had.
Seth Hazlitt was puzzled. For the past few weeks Eve Simpson had been annoying him. What was worse, she didn't even realize what she was doing. She just kept smiling at him and laughing when he spoke. He decided to talk to Jessica about it. Maybe she could run interference and keep Eve away from him.
"Seth, come on in," invited Jessica. "You're just in time," She was dishing up bowls of clam chowder and putting them on the table.
Seth walked over to the sink and washed his hands. "Smells good, Jess." He noticed the salad bowl on the table and saw the dinner rolls. "You must have made good progress on your book today."
"Nope, I got stumped before lunch so tomorrow I'll be in the library researching." She touched his shoulder and reached above him to grab a couple of glasses.
They were soon seated at the table and Seth was telling her about some of the hospital gossip. Jessica laughed at the blatant fibs.
Seth smiled and then sobered. "I'm hoping you can help me with a minor problem, Jess."
She looked up. He seemed serious. "What is it?"
"It's your friend, Eve Simpson."
"Eve, what about her?"
"Have you noticed anything different about her?"
"Different? No. I saw her yesterday, we were together, remember? She seemed fine."
"Every time I'm in town she appears out of nowhere."
"Well, she's always out and about picking up gossip," laughed Jessica.
"She hovers and whenever I'm talking to someone she's listening in," complained Seth.
"She must like what she's hearing. What have you been talking about and to whom?" asked Jessica.
"I was telling Jacob Lister about the tax the town wants to attach to the fishermen to pay for the cleanup of the bay," griped Seth. "We can't drive the fishermen out. Our economy is bad enough."
Jessica listened intently while Seth spoke about the tax and how it would affect the fishing industry. Seth abruptly laughed.
"Thanks for listening, Jess. I could go on and on." Seth smiled, gratefully. "Where was I? Yes, Eve Simpson. She's also getting touchy-feely."
Jessica arched an eyebrow. "Coffee?" She rose and went to get the coffee pot.
"Yes, her hand is always on my shoulder or she's touching me somehow," complained Seth.
Jessica poured his coffee and picked up his hand so she could place the sugar and cream in front of him. Seth added cream to his coffee and took a sip.
"What should I do?"
Jessica patted his hand. "She listens to you, that's not exactly a crime. She laughs at your witty comments, which is a compliment, and she touches you on occasion for emphasis." Jessica smiled broadly. "I listen to you, Seth, and you have me in fits of laughter at times."
"Well, yes, but that's different," muttered Seth. He looked down at her hand over his. He looked up into her blue eyes. He realized Eve had been imitating what Jessica does. But Eve was making the moves on him…sudden realization hit him.
"I'm an idiot," announced Seth. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"And have you annoyed with me? I didn't want to be a nuisance." There was a twinkle in Jessica's eyes now.
Seth picked up her hand and kissed it. "Never."
He rose and ran a sink of dishwater and began cleaning up. Jessica remained at the table, confused.
"Now woman, I'm getting these dishes out of the way so you can't use them as an excuse when I get you alone on the sofa." He turned to look around at her. The light blush on her cheeks was adorable but she winked at him and rose to begin drying the dishes.
Eve wanted to scream as she watched Seth Hazlitt and Jessica walking down Main Street. They were talking and laughing about something. There was no way she could insert herself into their friendship. They may as well be a couple. She would have to settle for Lowell Dawson.