Page 123 of Axe Backwards
“Certifiable badass.” Becca spun me as Britney Spears played on the speakers.
“So proud of you, sweetie,” Alice said, clearly tipsy. She was the group lightweight. “I gotta find my hunky husband. He owes me a dance.”
As Becca and I chugged waters and caught our breath, a firm feminine hand landed on my arm.
I peered over my shoulder, finding a striking woman standing behind me. “Oh. Hello, Magnolia,” I said as I turned.
“Victoria.” She pulled me in for a double-cheek kiss. “Congratulations. What an event. It was fun for all ages and will probably go down in town history for its success. Bravo.”
Magnolia Stephens-Thomas was a tall, glamorous force of nature. I hadn’t met her, but I knew who she was. Everyone did. She was a summer person who owned one of the lakefront mansions near my parents.
She lived in New York City and visited often, swanning around town in her designer clothes and trendy haircuts. Though her social status was likely more elite than my parents, she was beloved by the town of Lovewell. She happily spent hermoney in the local shops and went out of her way to help out. From what I’d heard, she owned a glamorous event planning company in New York and threw wild parties.
“Here.” She held out a thick embossed business card. “I want to talk.”
I blinked at her, my tongue suddenly too big for my mouth. Magnolia wanted to talk to me?
“I recently bought the Lovewell Inn,” she explained. “I plan to renovate and reopen. I was hoping you could consult on some events for me. I need someone in Lovewell who can help get things moving.”
I stood in shock, unsure what she was asking.
“I understand you’re devoted to the food pantry and respect your dedication. I’d only enlist your help for the occasional project and understand you’d have to work around your existing commitments. But you’re good at this, and I want to employ as many locals as I can.”
I nodded, at a loss for words.
“If you’ve got too much on your plate already, I understand. But from what I’ve seen, you’re creative and motivated. I need help from someone like you in order to pull off the big plans I have for the inn.”
“S-sounds great,” I said, finally finding my voice.
“Call me next week. We can have lunch and chat. I have so many fun ideas.” With a squeeze of my arm, she turned and strutted back toward Willa and Cole.
I stared at the fuchsia business card in my hand, breaths shaky. It may not lead to anything, but the thought of the inn reopening made my heart swell. Lovewell had become more of a tourist destination in the last couple of years, and this would increase that number significantly.
Giddy and practically walking on air, I headed back over to Noah, who was standing with Finn and Adele. When I told himwhat Magnolia had offered, he picked me up and twirled me around. “See? I told you. Everyone in town knows how talented you are.”
This man was my biggest cheerleader. There was no way I could ever repay him for what he’d done for me. I was still learning to trust myself, but with Noah by my side, I’d learned that I was capable of so much more than I’d ever given myself credit for.
He slid his hand down my arm and laced our fingers. “Let’s dance. Your friends have been hogging you. I want you in my arms.”
Swoon. I melted into a puddle right there.
“Okay, hotshot. I’ll give you a dance.”
He pulled me onto the floor and signaled Jude, who was standing guard at the jukebox.
Noah tucked me in close when the opening notes of “Love Is Like A Butterfly” played.
My heart stumbled over itself.
“Our song,” he declared, pulling me closer.
We swayed together while the people in the crowded bar chattered and laughed and hollered. Like this, in the arms of the man I loved, my heart was full.
I was musing about how perfect life was at that very moment when the music stopped.
“Excuse me.” Denis Huxley stood on the small stage, holding a microphone. “Hello, I wanted to congratulate Victoria and the town on a wonderful festival.” He swayed slightly, his words slurring. “But there’s something you should all know.” He hiccupped. “Or hear, I mean.”
He fumbled with his phone, each tiny movement echoing through the speakers. Then he held it up to the microphone.
