Page 5 of Love's Bloom
“I love the yellow brick ‘road,’” Misty said. “It’s likeThe Wizard of Oz.”
David let out a sigh. “ ‘Over the Rainbow’ was one of Lily’s favorite songs. We listened to it together after she got sick.” His voice was full of pain.
Misty reached out and touched his arm. “I’m sorry. I can’t imagine what it must have been like for you to lose your sister.”
“Doing this garden for her has been healing. The town’s support has meant a lot to me and my parents.” He motioned for her to take a seat. “Go ahead and enjoy it. I won’t disturb you. I’m almost done weeding.”
Misty walked along the brick walkway to a bench in the back corner and sat down. Closing her eyes, she inhaled the smell of roses and other flowers, listened to the birds chirping in the maple tree, and felt a deep sense of peace wash over her. Her entire body relaxed, Misty vowed once more to refuse to allow anyone to take this feeling away from her.
“Misty?”
She looked up to see David walking toward her. She smiled and patted the empty space beside her. “This is so peaceful.”
He slid onto the bench beside her. “That’s what we were hoping for. It’s a lot of work but worth it.”
They sat quietly for a few minutes, and then David got to his feet. “Will you be at Jake’s tonight?”
“Yes,” said Misty. “I’m going to take advantage of meeting my friends there as much as possible before school starts.”
“I’ll see you later.” David gave her a little salute.
She watched him go. He might’ve been small as a child, but he was tall now, with a muscular body toned handsomely by his work. She liked that he didn’t gain muscle by constantly working out at a gym. That would remind her too much of Vince.
Misty continued her walk into town to the Lilac Lake Café. Though she and Crystal had moved out of the apartment above it, Crystal was temporarily helping at the café until Nettie Mancini and her fiancé, Jason Rockwell, were comfortable enough with the operation to go forward without Crystal’s help.
She arrived at the café just before six-thirty and waited with others for the door to open. Early morning hours were a reality in running the café, something Misty was delighted to avoid going forward.
She stood a moment and gazed at the town she loved so much. Bright-colored awnings covered some of the windows of the shops along Main Street. Matched by pots sitting by doorways and overflowing with summer flowers, it looked postcard-picture perfect as the small New England town it was.
After unlocking the door, Crystal and Nettie greeted the small gathering. Nettie had short, dark, curly hair, blue eyes, and a smile no one could resist. Though she wasn’t tall, her body had an appealing curviness. Misty was thrilled that she’d be taking over the café. Jason, her fiancé, was just as nice and as eager as Nettie to make friends.
“Hi, Misty,” said Nettie. “I heard you’ve moved into your new place.”
“Moved is the operative word. Settled is another. But I’m getting there,” said Misty. “When do you begin painting the apartment?”
“Not for a couple of days. Jason has a friend who’s going to do it for us. His name is Vinnie.”
Misty’s heart jerked to a stop before her pulse began pounding in her ears. “What’s his full name?”
Nettie frowned. “Vinnie Morelli. Why?’
Misty sighed and shook her head. “Someone I knew was named Vince. Not a nice man.”
“Oh, I get it. This Vinnie is a great guy who’s worked for us for a couple of years. We’re trying to get him interested in moving to Lilac Lake so he can work with us here.”
“I’m sure he’ll love it,” said Misty, feeling her knees gain strength. In the last day, there’d been too many reminders of Vince. She went over to the counter and sat, needing a cup of coffee, her favorite, a mocha decaf. She glanced into the display case and ordered a maple raisin scone. In maple sugar country, lots of treats contained it.
Crystal stood by her seat. “Are you okay? Whitney told me about one of your books being ruined. Vince, no doubt?”
“I’m sure of it,” said Misty. A shudder slithered snakelike across her shoulders.
“Whitney promised me that Nick was aware of it and that he’d talk to all his deputies about the situation.” Crystal shook her head with dismay. “Thank goodness you got away from that jerk.”
“A lesson learned,” said Misty, setting her jaw in a firm line.
“Don’t let that terrible experience ruin you for other relationships,” said Crystal quietly before turning to seat more customers. “I see how David looks at you.”
Misty sipped her coffee and took a bite of the warm scone. No wonder customers loved the Lilac Lake Café.
