Page 74 of The Charmed Friends of Trove Isle
Mr. Lyme turned to her. “On the contrary. She’d be very proud of you, Melody. She always was. Do you mind if I just walk around for a little longer?”
“Not at all. Take your time.” Melody gestured to the counter. “I’ll just be up there working.”
“What are you working on?”
“An event in Charlotte.”
“Ah. That’s nice.” Mr. Lyme nodded. “I hear your friend Brianna will be having a homecoming soon. Maybe you’ll plan an event for her.”
Melody hadn’t even considered that, but of course she should. “I wouldn’t even know who to invite.”
“The whole town, of course. She’s one of us after all. Doesn’t matter how long she’s been away. Home is home.” He gave her a meaningful look. “Go ahead and work. Don’t mind the sentimental old man walking around.”
Melody squeezed his shoulder. “Let me know if you need something.”
“I will.”
Melody returned to her stool behind the counter, but she couldn’t focus on the event for her author client anymore. Now her thoughts were on Jo and Mr. Lyme, and all the time they’d lost. On the dolls and Jo’s Isle of Lost Toys. On Bri’s homecoming event, which had to happen.
Ten minutes later Mr. Lyme came to the counter holding a doll without any clothes. Its hair was matted and someone had taken a purple marker to give it eyeshadow. That or a black eye, Melody wasn’t sure. He held it up. “I’d like to purchase this please.”
Melody held up a hand. “Take it. No charge.”
Mr. Lyme hesitated as if he was debating whether to argue with her. “I’ll bring this back once I’ve given her a Jo-worthy makeover.”
Emotions knotted at the center of Melody’s chest. She hoped she’d be here to see the results. “Sounds good. Have a good rest of your day, Mr. Lyme.”
“You too.” He tucked the doll under his arm like a football and turned to walk out.
Once he was gone, Melody wandered over to the toy section as well, scanning over the selection until she finally picked up a little wooden dollhouse that had seen much better days. She wasn’t all that crafty but she knew how to work a paint brush. She carried it to the counter and placed it on the floor beside her stool. Then she picked up her notepad and turned the page away from the one for the author event. At the top of the fresh page, she wrote: Bri’s Homecoming Event.
To: Bri Johnson
From: Liz Dawson
Subject: Familiar
Bri,
I think some things stay familiar even when you haven’t experienced them in years. The heart has memory, maybe a better one than your brain. The familiar doesn’t need your yesterday or last week to be relevant. You’ll see. Once you get home, everything will feel true and right, almost like you never left. And if that’s not the case, and you really need to, of course you can email me, day or night. I’ll always reply.
xx,
Liz
CHAPTERTWENTY-TWO
LIZ
The photographs from Sunset Park were displayed on Liz’s computer monitor. Everyone in Trove Isle had probably seen a sunset over the park, but these photographs—hopefully—captured the magic of it. Because it was magical, especially when spent with Matt Coffey.
Last night’s drive had started rocky, but had turned out to be okay. She’d driven ten miles below the speed limit all the way to Sunset Park, but Matt hadn’t said a word—not even when the car behind her had honked and passed them. Liz had taken deep breaths, kept her hands on the wheel, and she’d gotten them to their destination without incident. Matt had done the honors of driving them back to her house afterward because it was late and Liz wasn’t ready to drive in complete darkness.
He was gentle and thoughtful, understanding, and handsome. In a word—perfect.
A knock on her office door got her attention. “Yeah?”
“When are you coming out?” Rose asked.
