Page 31 of The Charmed Friends of Trove Isle
Julie blew out an audible breath into the receiver. “What a relief! I was a little worried you were going to tell me that you’d decided to stay longer. Or worse.”
“Worse?” Melody asked.
“Forever,” Julie said on a laugh, as if that was a preposterous thought.
“You don’t have to worry about that. Not happening.” Melody continued walking through the store and collecting lint. “The plan is to leave on Sunday. The real estate agent can do the rest of the footwork to sell this place without me.”
“Great plan. This is why you’re a fantastic planner and why I need you back at Memory Lane Events ASAP.”
Melody stopped walking and glanced at her reflection in the full-length mirror, inspecting the new-to-her shoes and wondering who had worn them before her. Maybe they were
Jo’s. Pulling on something that had lived a life before her felt magical in some way, like she was inheriting some small essence of another person. Like she was literally and figuratively walking in someone else’s shoes. Maybe they would lead her to her very best friend just like the black ballerina flats that Jo had given her in her childhood had.
“Don’t forget, we have the Dunkin’s baby shower next week,” Julie reminded her.
In truth, Julie could handle an event on that scale alone, but Melody loved baby showers. She’d done the planning for this one from afar, ordering all the decorations and organizing the color schemes. She’d come up with three fun games to play at the event as well. Guessing candy bar types that were smashed into diapers was a special request from the client, who was laid-back and loved to laugh. Melody had also thought up a new activity where guests got to take the baby’s last name and come up with a word or phrase for each letter to make an acrostic. Melody had even made an example for all the guests.
Baby Name: DUNKIN
D: Diapers.
U: Undress and redress.
N: Newborn.
K: Kick!
I: Itsy-bitsy, teeny tiny.
N: Nighty night, sweet baby.
Melody was looking forward to all the fun. Half the time her events didn’t feel like work once she was in the midst of them and laughing alongside everyone else. At least with her more carefree clientele. The more particular, controlling ones, however, not so much.
“I’ll call you once I’m back in town,” Melody promised.
“Sounds good. Enjoy the rest of your time at home.”
The word “home” reverberated through her. Melody let it bounce around in her brain, pondering whether to accept or reject it. This was her home though. Home wasn’t always a purely sweet place. It was bitter too. And Trove Isle was as bittersweet a place as there was for her. “Thanks. I will.”
Melody said goodbye and disconnected the call. Then she stood there a moment, admiring the charm bracelet on her wrist. A couple charms had a sparkly sheen to them that she hadn’t noticed before. Maybe it was the lighting of the thrift store that made them appear that way.
A tap on her door drew her attention. Christopher waved when she looked his way.That was fast.She hurried over and unlocked the door. “Hi. Wow, I wasn’t expecting you to drop in so quickly. I just texted you ten minutes ago.”
“School is out for the day. I was just leaving campus when I got your message. Your text said you needed a hand?” He looked past her for a moment. From his perspective, it probably looked like her entire store needed a hand.
“Um, yeah. There’re just a few things I can’t manage on my own.”
“No problem.” He held up a toolbox. “I’m always prepared. Like I told you at Jo’s Celebration of Life, my mom has a never-ending to-do list for me. I never leave home without these.”
Melody was relieved. “Thank you.” She gestured across the store. “There’s a wobbly clothing rack in the back that needs securing to the wall. I don’t want it to fall on someone.”
“That wouldn’t be good,” Christopher agreed with a nice smile. So nice that she let her gaze lower to his lips to study them for an awkward moment.
She yanked her gaze back up to his eyes. He was Alyssa’s former crush. Melody shouldn’t be admiring his nice smile. Or his equally nice eyes, which were a light-colored blue like the sky on a clear day. She nervously tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, needing something to do with her hands. “Yeah, the last thing I need is a lawsuit while I’m trying to sell this place.”
“Right.” Christopher tipped his head toward the back of the store. “Lead the way.”
“Sure.” Melody led him through a narrow path sandwiched with items for sale and gestured at the rack. “I swear, all I did was pull a hanger off and it fell down.”
