Page 9 of The Last Lavender Sister

Aster brightened. “I remember. I’m Sage’s sister. Most people remember him more.”

It was possible new people made Aster nervous. She seemed a touch uneasy, similar to their encounter at Larry’s. Tyler spoke highly of her, though, and Tyler was a great judge.

“Nice day for an outside read.”

Aster looked around as if just noticing the sunny day. She’d really been deep into that story. “You’re right. Yeah. I, uh, sit out here a lot. You can watch the whole world go by, and well, no one bothers you.” Her eyes widened. “You’renot bothering me. I definitely didn’t mean that.” Her cheeks went rosy, flamed. “It’s nice that you said hi.”

To prove that she hadn’t taken the comment poorly, Brynn took a seat, doubling down. “In that case.” Aster nodded, then looked at her book and back at Brynn, seemingly torn on whether to read or make small talk. Brynn decided to help. “I had nine appointments at the clinic today, and I’m pretty sure only three of them were for the pets.”

“Oh.” Aster closed her book entirely, following Brynn’s cue. “I would say I’m surprised, but when someone new comes to town, everyone clamors to get a good look, learn what they can, see how they might factor into the grand scheme of the town.”

“That was my working theory. I think you’ve just confirmed it.”

“Are you going to cause a scandal or just lend carrots to those in need? That’s their question.”

Brynn nodded, thoughtful. “Carrots, huh? Would not have guessed that.”

“It was the first example that popped into my head.” Aster squinted. “People like carrots, right?”

“I suppose that’s true.” Brynn paused, reflecting on Aster’s earlier comment. “There’s a grand scheme to the town?”

“No, but people like to pretend there is. Small towns tend to be romanticized.”

Interesting take. “From within?”

Aster sat taller. She clearly had opinions. “Big time.”

They paused a moment as a car pulled to a stop in front of Mailbox Mania. A woman carrying an armful of packages stopped her progress on the sidewalk as it did. An older gentleman leapt from the car and took the packages from her and carried them into the store. Brynngestured with her chin. “I don’t know. That was a pretty unique gesture. You wouldn’t see that happen where I’m from in Chicago.”

“Well, there’s probably a little bit more anonymity in a big city.” Aster mimicked the chin gesture. “See the guy that took the packages? That’s Hank Devers. The woman he was helping is Beverly Martin. He’s married to her sister, Claire, but is secretly in love with Beverly. Stares at her across every room he’s in. She loves him back, too, but refuses to hurt Claire, who—if I’m being honest—isn’t the nicest human alive. But they care enough to keep their feelings restrained.” Aster sat back. “So it’s down to carrying boxes.”

Brynn balked. “Wow. And here I thought this was just some nice stranger helping another stranger with her packages.”

“That’s the thing. Nobody is a stranger here, which is what you got a little taste of today. They’re bringing you into the fold. Welcome to Homer’s Bluff, where your business is waved in front of your house like a flag.”

“That’s a colorful description.”

“It’s also accurate.”

“Huh.” She looked over at Aster just as the breeze lifted her brown hair and set it gently on her shoulders. Serene. Maybe it was the topic, or because they sat facing the same direction rather than each other, but Aster seemed to relax the more they talked. There was something nonthreatening about her presence that Brynn appreciated. “I could be wrong, but I’m not sure you like it here, Aster.”

“Sorry.” She rolled her lips in. “I didn’t mean to give off that impression. Especially when you just got here.” She studied the bench, running a thumb across a splintered piece of the wood. “I do wonder about other places, though. I’ve never lived anywhere else. You’re from Chicago, right?”

“I am.”

She took a breath, her interest hooked. “What’s it like?”

“Busy. Everyone has somewhere to be and quickly. Crowds are pretty common especially at the beginning and ending of business. Downtown, where I worked, you could find yourself shoulder to shoulder on the sidewalk, shuffling along like a group of sardines. People don’t take a lot of time with each other. Transactional. But…” She took a moment to find her words. “It always feels like somethingimportant is happening in a big city. There’s a hum in the air that comes with people collectively living their lives and making important things happen. I really like that about city life. I feel like I’m selling it short.”

“No,” Aster said. “You’re not. You paint a striking and vivid picture. I’ve thought about Boston. Moving there.” She immediately looked down at her hands, and Brynn understood that this was a confession.

“You have?”

Aster seemed a little embarrassed, like the information had flown from her lips without permission. She gathered herself and pressed on, a little quieter now. “I’ve thought of going to culinary school there.” She took a breath.

“That’s fantastic. You should do it.”

She looked up and smiled. Brynn’s encouragement had landed. “Maybe.”

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