Page 59 of Returning to Everton

I find her in the kitchen already dressed in a pair of black leggings and her favorite unicorn shirt. It has this cute little unicorn with rainbow hair, and says ‘Everything I Do Is Magical’. She’s sitting at the island eating the last cinnamon roll from Hudson. Good thing I start work tomorrow, we’re about out of baked goods.

“Hey, sweetie. What are you doing up and dressed already?”

“We’re going shopping with Aunt Quinn today Mommy!”

I chuckle “Yes, we sure are. But why are you awake? Are you that excited to go shopping?”

“Well yeah. Mostly I’m just excited to see more of the town.”

Damn. Now I feel like shit because I haven’t shown her around before now.

“I’m sorry Violet. We’ll go exploring today and this week after I get off work okay?”

“Okay, Mommy.”

“Which reminds me, Declan offered to sit here with you while I go to work. Hudson will be picking me up at 4 a.m. so you’ll still be asleep. Then when Logan and Nate wake up, Nate will bring Logan over so y’all can play.”

She jumps out of her seat at that. “Yay! Thank you, Mommy!”

“I’m just glad you have a friend to play with sweetie. It definitely helps that I get along with his dad so well. I’m sure once you start school in a couple weeks, you’ll have even more friends to invite over to your playhouse.”

At that moment the doorbell rings and Violet runs over to answer it. I’m quick to follow her, just in case it’s not Quinn. Luckily when Violet swings the door open it’s Quinn standing there with a big smile on her face.

“There’s my favorite girl!” She scoops Violet up and spins her around. Violet giggles as Quinn twirls them on our front porch. “Are you ready to go shopping?” she asks as she sets a dizzy Violet down.

“Well considering she was up, dressed, and had eaten by the time I got out of the shower, I’d say yeah she’s ready,” I chuckle.

“You’re excited to get a better look at the town square aren’t you Vi?” Quinn asks.

“Yes! Now let’s go already!” Violet boils over with excitement.

We all pile in the car. It’s a nice day, but who knows how much we’ll end up buying today. I don’t want to have to carry everything home. When we get into town, we park by the bakery. I’m surprised to see it closed.

“The bakery is closed today? I was gonna stop in for a snack,” I pout.

Quinn laughs at me. “AsnackRowe? We know what you were going in for, don’t lie.”

I roll my eyes at her. “Okay, okay, I was going to get another coffee cake, so sue me.”

She shakes her head at me. “You’re addicted to his coffee cake already. Too bad they’re closed on Sundays. The man needs at least one day off Rowe.”

I huff, “Fine. I guess I’ll just have to find a snack somewhere else.”

We start walking down the sidewalk toward the town square. I look into the windows of every shop we pass. I see this cute flower shop and ask Violet if she wants to check it out. She loves flowers, so she’s pretty excited to go in.

When we walk in a bell chimes alerting the employees that there are customers. We explore the shop, looking at all the different flowers. It smells so good in here. Every time we see a bouquet we like, we stop and smell it.

“Oh look Violet, it’s your namesake,” I call Violet over to look at a beautiful display of a mixture of dark and light purple and blue violets.

“Oh, they’re so pretty Mommy.”

Just then a little old lady walks over. “You like violets little girl?” she asks in the sweetest voice.

Violet looks up at her and grins. “That’s my name. They’re my favorite flowers. I love that there’s so many different kinds and colors.”

“Oh, is that so? Well, you simply must have a violet then,” she says, then she proceeds to pluck one of the dark purple violets from the bouquet and tuck it behind Violet’s ear. “There, now little Violet has her own violet.” she smiles as she looks down at my daughter, who is simply beaming.

When the lady looks up at me, I’m shocked to see a familiar face. “Mrs. Roseglade?” I gasp. “I didn’t know you still ran the flower shop!”

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