Page 17 of The Charmed Friends of Trove Isle
“Thank you.” Melody walked Abigail to the door. She knew what Abigail said was true. But clearing out this shop meant that she’d have to stay at least a couple weeks longer than planned, and she wasn’t sure she could agree to that. Her business partner, Julie, would definitely object. Maybe she should take whatever money she could get and run. But the possibility for more money was too tempting.
The bell over the door rang as Abigail walked out of the store which would be more appropriately named Hoarder’s Delight. Then Melody turned and headed to the glass case where she knew there was a notebook by the register. She loved organizing and making to-do lists, which was one reason she’d been drawn to event planning. She grabbed a pen from a nearby drawer and plopped down on the stool to plan her next steps.
For the next two hours, that’s exactly what she did. Then she left the store midafternoon to get ready for Jo’s Celebration of Life at Sunrise Park. As much as Melody loved her great-aunt, and missed her, no part of Melody wanted to attend this function. She’d barely seen anyone since returning to Trove Isle, which was how she preferred things. The entire town was likely to come out tonight to give Jo the send-off she deserved. Jo was beloved in Trove and for good reason. Melody doubted Jo had a single enemy here, and if she did, it was only because she spoke her truth unapologetically, which most folks respected.
Melody let herself into her dad’s house and headed down the hall toward her bedroom. Jo deserved a lot better than she’d gotten. At least from Melody. Melody stepped into her bedroom and lifted her suitcase up onto her bed. She unzipped it and stared into its depths.
She hadn’t packed anything appropriate for a funeral. Then again, this wasn’t going to be a funeral. What did one wear to a celebration of life on the banks of the intracoastal waterway? Melody wasn’t sure. One thing she was certain of was that people would be watching her tonight and whispering, looking for clues as to whether Melody was healthy and happy, on drugs, or whatever other story was circulating.
Melody lifted out a white top with a large, purple floral print from her suitcase. She pulled out a pair of black pants because, yes, she was mourning whether Jo liked it or not, and some fun black strappy sandals.There.Dress casual, appropriate for a barbeque or a celebration for the woman who’d meant a lot more to Melody than Melody had even realized. It was true, sometimes it took dying for people to appreciate you.
Melody stepped into the bathroom and freshened up, and then looked at the time on her cell phone’s screen. If she didn’t hurry, she’d be late. Then again, she was already too late to say goodbye.
She grabbed her keys and walked back out of the house, locking the door behind her. Her father wasn’t home, but maybe he was going straight to ceremony from work. Or perhaps he wasn’t attending at all. Melody wasn’t sure how close he’d been to Jo in these final years. Maybe not very. In the past, Jo’s very reason for visiting always seemed to revolve around Melody and Alyssa. With them gone, maybe Jo stopped coming over altogether.
Melody got into her car and hesitated behind the steering wheel for a moment before forcing herself to drive. She could do this. She could face the town she’d run away from so long ago. How hard could it be to put on a smile and pretend to be happy and successful, like her father apparently told everyone she was?
It was a short drive to Sunrise Park, which was conveniently located near the bridge if Melody decided to skip town when the night was over. She parked and watched as folks headed toward the isle’s waterfront. The sun was on its descent, blending into a mixture of bright pastels over the horizon. She didn’t recognize most of the faces that crossed in front of her windshield. And they weren’t noticing her while she sat there, breathing shallowly and entertaining fantasies of driving away. Perhaps she’d just stay on the outskirts of the crowd, watch from a distance, and leave without having to hold any conversations.
Yeah. Good idea.
With a plan in place, she swung open her car door and then winced as it hit a person with a heavythud. “Oh! I am so sorry!” Melody jumped out of the car and onto her feet, apologizing profusely as she waited for the man to turn around and face her.
Tall. Black hair. Dark-rimmed glasses. She should have recognized him immediately, but right now her thoughts were scattered and she was concerned he might be injured. “Are you okay?”
“That might hurt tomorrow, but I know where you live so . . .” He trailed off.
Melody frowned. “You do?”
The man grinned. Where did she know him from? “Christopher?” she finally said. As in Christopher West, Alyssa’s boy-next-door crush. The boy who’d broken Alyssa’s heart.
A smile twitched at the corners of his mouth. “Hey, Melody. I heard you were back in town. I saw the car in your dad’s driveway, and guessed this might be one of the rumors around here that’s actually true.”
“I’m just here temporarily. I inherited Hidden Treasures.”
“I heard that too. Congratulations.” Chris’s face blanched with the realization of what he’d just said. “And my deepest condolences.”
“Thanks.” Her first inclination was to be polite to this man who’d been little more than a kid the last time she’d seen him. Her second inclination was to snub him the same way he’d done Alyssa when she’d asked him to prom. Alyssa’s tear-stricken face flashed in Melody’s mind. Her sister had deserved so much better in life.
Melody looked over at the crowd forming on the waterfront. She didn’t want to make small talk with this man, but he was still standing in front of her, an expectant look on his face. “So, if you saw my car, I’m guessing that means your parents still live next door?” Melody asked.
“Just my mom.” His gaze flicked down for just a moment. “My dad passed away last year.”
Melody’s heart dropped into the pit of her stomach. “I’m so sorry,” she said for the second time in five minutes. And suddenly she felt guilty for feeling bitter towards him.
“It’s okay. You didn’t know. How would you?”
Burn.Maybe she should leave before she got any more comments like that. They were sure to come once she was out there, mingling among folks with questions and made-up answers of their own.
“I didn’t intend any insult by that, by the way,” Christopher said. “I just meant, we were never close. You wouldn’t even give me the time of day, if I remember correctly.”
“You hung out with my sister until she started liking you more than a friend. Then, if I remember correctly, you wouldn’t giveherthe time of day,” Melody said.
Christopher offered a pained expression. “I just didn’t want to lead her on. Alyssa was an amazing person.”
“Speaking to the choir,” Melody said, determined not to like this guy, even though he’d always been likeable.
Christopher glanced over at the crowd by the water. “C’mon. I’m sure a lot of folks here can’t wait to catch up with you.”
