Page 51 of The Charmed Friends of Trove Isle
Liz tugged her lower lip between her teeth. A couple weeks ago, the answer would have been an immediateno. Now theno, thank youwas coming slower. Maybe things were shifting in her world. To what reason, she wasn’t quite sure. Perhaps it was because Melody was home. Or because Rose was living with her, and her life was turned upside down and inside out. Bri would be getting out of prison soon, and she would finally be back in Trove where she belonged. Maybe all of the above added up to a much-needed change.
Liz tapped her finger along the screen.
Liz: Maybe another time.
The dots once again started bouncing as Matt replied.
Matt: Next time, huh? So you’re planning to return to the tavern for more drinks? Noted. I’ll reserve my Friday nights in case you need me to come pick you and Melody up. I’m glad Rose was able to do the honors last night. But you could’ve called me.
That text was followed up with a winking emoji that made Liz feel all kinds of sparkly sensations zipping through her body. And that was followed by a roll of nausea that had her getting up out of bed and quickly walking toward the bathroom. Maybe she needed that Dr. Pepper and peanuts concoction after all.
At almost noon, Liz finally made it into The Bitery. The bakery hadn’t burned down, but Rose did have the tip jar out on the counter. When she saw Liz eyeing it, she slid it underneath the counter.
“You can keep it out if you work past lunch time. I was going to see if Melody wanted to grab a bite together. If you can’t handle the bakery on your own, though, that’s okay.”
In response, Rose dipped to grab the tip jar and placed it back on the counter. She looked at Liz. “Devin is working with me this morning. I promised that all the tips would go to her.”
Liz glanced into the kitchen. “You hired help for the morning?”
Rose looked at her like she had two heads. “Well, I can’t run this place by myself.”
“I thought you said you could.”
Rose gave Liz a disbelieving look, as if the idea was absurd. “Devin always helps when I work. That’s why I put a tip jar out.”
Liz considered this. She looked around at all the satisfied customers, and then she turned back to her sister. “Does Mom know about this?”
“No, but I was going to talk to her about hiring Devin when she gets back from Ecuador.”
“Good idea.” That would line up with Liz discussing her own plans to cut back on hours. “Devin can stay. She knows the rules, right? Wash your hands, wear gloves, all that stuff.”
“Of course.” Rose looked at Liz as if she she’d grown a third head now.
Liz supposed she wouldn’t mind three heads if all of them weren’t pounding like her one head was doing this morning. “Great. Well then, I’m walking down to Hidden Treasures. Call me if you need anything. I’ll be back at some point.” But she wouldn’t rush. The freedom of having the morning to do as she wanted felt as intoxicating as the drinks she’d devoured last night.
Liz was smiling wider than she had in a long time as she stepped out into the breezy Saturday and turned toward the thrift store. Her hangover was almost gone. She almost felt like a new person today. What a difference a couple of weeks could make.
She stopped in front of Hidden Treasures to read a sign out front. In pink chalk was an invitation to come inside and stuff a bag for $10. Liz opened the door and stepped into a bustling scene. Everyone had large paper bags in their arms, stuffed to the tops and billowing over with clothing, books, and other items.
Melody sat behind the counter with her laptop in front of her. She looked up and waved Liz over. “Do you want to stuff a bag for ten dollars?” she asked as Liz drew closer.
“Maybe. How could you possibly make a profit that way?”
“You’d be surprised. I’ve sold at least two dozen bags worth already. And the room out back is full of stuff that needs to be put out front. Jo had devoted people who donated regularly. It’s an endless cycle. Business is booming.”
Liz couldn’t tell if Melody was being serious or sarcastic. “So, if you’re this busy, I’m guessing you don’t have time for lunch?”
Melody grimaced. “I’m starving actually. Can we order in and eat here? There’s a little table in the back room. My customers tend to come in waves.”
Liz glanced around at the store full of customers. “The same is true for the bakery. It’s kind of weird that way, isn’t it?”
“It is. Do you want to call out for our food?”
“Sure. Anything in particular?”
“Surprise me,” Melody said, preparing to ring someone up at the register.
Liz headed to the little back room where Melody had a fold-out cot, a small table, and a tiny counter with a sink and dorm-size fridge. She dialed out for a pizza delivery and then headed back up front where Melody was helping a little girl pick out a stuffed bear from a selection of toys along the right-hand side of the store.
