Page 12 of The Last Lavender Sister

“Speaking of alone, Sage is walking around like a lost puppy,” Violet said with a wince. “He misses Tyler. I saw him aimlessly riding the tractor in circles yesterday. Lost in his thoughts.”

Marigold rubbed her hands together. “I have a plan for that. Knock him back into the real world.”

“What would that be?” Aster asked.

“The new vet. Have you seen her? Gorgeous. Dr. Brynn Garrett.” Marigold wiggled her fingers as if casting a spell. “You guys, she’s the perfect distraction, and just what Sage needs. I plan to set them up. Sexy, blond, smart, and—from what I hear—single. Totally put together, too. I’d kill for her clothes.”

Aster blinked as Marigold watched her expectantly. “Oh, have I, you mean? Met her. Me, specifically.”

“You are the person I’m staring straight at with love.”

She nodded, playing it cool and probably failing miserably. Brynn did have great fashion sense. “Yeah. I met her. She was at the going away party, I think. And I saw her in town for a minute.” She made it all seem totally inconsequential when it felt like anything but. Deflation time. Every woman fell for Sage, and Brynn would likely be no different. But honestly, she’d be okay with Marigold setting the two up. Yes, it felt a little weird. But maybe it would save Brynn from the onslaught of overtures, and Sage from his own pensive tractor festival. As practical as that all sounded, it also didn’t feel great. Maybe because she’d always imagined Sage would end up with Tyler one day. She stillhoped for that but shook off the discomfort. That kind of thing wasn’t her call.

“What do you think? Might they hit it off?” Marigold asked the room.

“I think so,” Violet said. “I mean, if you can get Sage to focus on something other than the Chiefs at playoff time.” Her brother’s favorite pastimes included sports, watching sports, hanging out with his dog, hanging out with his boys, and driving the tractor all over the farm in his favorite blue ball cap, now threadbare. He pulled hard hours and soaked up the attention that women paid him, while rarely putting forth the effort he should. It was unfair and something he needed to grow out of. Good thing she had a soft spot for him.

“Maybe Dr. Brynn Garrett with her gorgeous blond hair could be the one to make it happen.”

Marigold had forgotten to include her green eyes that weren’t even a normal shade. They were a deep green with little gold flecks that were more noticeable when the sunlight caught them just right. “I look forward to seeing if your magic plan works. But maybe check with Tyler first.”

Violet leaned against the counter. “Did you forget the time Marigold organized her entire junior class into walking out of school at eleven a.m. because they’d discontinued pizza on Fridays in the cafeteria?”

“How could I forget?” Aster asked. “In school, I was always known as the little sister of the pizza vigilante. Every teacher kept an eye out for any signs of a marinara-laced overthrow. Couldn’t shake the shadow.”

“My point exactly. She’ll make it happen,” Violet said with an arch of her dark brown eyebrow.

“I love the confidence,” Marigold said. “And hopefully Brynn will love Sage. All with Tyler’s blessing, of course. I’ll play this right. No one’s toes shall be stepped on.” She softened. “Even their names sound amazing together. Sage and Brynn Lavender.”

Aster exhaled, feeling less energetic than she had when she’d walked in. Must have been her long morning catching up with her. Surely nothing else. “Shea butter?”

Marigold glanced around. “Wherefore art thou, shea butter?”

“That actually doesn’t mean what you think it means,” Aster said gently.

Marigold pointed at her. “Don’t be so smart all the time. It makes the rest of us look mundane.”

“You could never be that, MG. Shea butter is over here,” Violet said, snatching up a box and placing it in Aster’s arms. “It’s a great batch. You’re gonna love it. Tell all your friends.”

“I will inform the throngs. Bye. Sell lots of stuff.”

“Same to you and the fancy doughnuts,” Violet said, giving her hair an affectionate ruffle. Why did they all do that? Underneath, Aster understood that she was still that little kid trailing after them all in many ways, forever the kid of the group. “Bring me one of those bacon ones someday? The ones that wiggle.”

“Wigglies. On it. You’re getting a dozen hot ones soon. Only because you supply me with free skin care products,” Aster said with a gentle lift of the box. “Say hi to Tad for me. Kiss his lips off. Isn’t that what the kids say?”

“I’m a lady,” Violet said with a knowing smile. Yeah, she was sucking face with that guy, all right, and Aster was likely to have a new brother-in-law before too long. A rich one.

“Whatever you say.”

“I heard you were making out in the back of his golf cart after hours,” Marigold said coyly.

“I always did enjoy his swing.” Violet dabbed the corners of her mouth.

“I can’t take the girl talk,” Aster said. “I can’t. Must leave the premises now.”

“Maybe one day it will be about you,” Marigold called after her.

Aster held up a hand as she exited, refusing to look back. “Send me a memo if we ever get there.”

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