Page 43 of Sandbar Storm
As she paced, Alison popped her head into the back room.
“Two more kaftans, we’re down to four of those, and the replacement art, same price? A lady wants it.”
“Yes, same price.”
“See,” Cole said, “you are selling the art, the kaftans, and didn’t you say a tablecloth?”
“Yes, that will be enough to pay Alison for the day, but not for lunch.”
“Lunch is on me.”
Siena looked at Cole. He was just a good person. He had walked in as a favor to Aunt Libby and had done whatever she asked.
As unlucky as the store was looking right now, Cole Brady was the jackpot.
That idea calmed her down. That was good.
She’d hang on to that as she watched customer after customer pass on Vivian Blackwood Designs.
ChapterSixteen
Viv
Viv had stayed away. She wanted Siena to fly on her own. She wanted her daughter to feel free to make decisions and to think about something other than taking care of her mother.
She had met Cole briefly when she’d swung by during all the prep work, but she wasn’t going to get in their way. In the deepest part of her heart, she knew that Siena had to move forward in life.
Though Viv had resigned herself to the rest of her own life being filled with worry about the next call from the doctor, the trip to Irish Hills had been surprising.
She’d found relief from the constant oppressive thoughts. She’d even found a new creative energy. And truth be told, a new friend.
Larson Taggert was important to her. She didn’t know how or what possible future they had, but for now, they enjoyed each other’s company and seemed to understand each other.
Tag had asked her a favor for the day. He needed help, and she was the one to give it.
“I just need you to be a set of ears, you get it?”
“I get it.”
The phrase had a double meaning. Yes, she could listen to the doctor and make sure he didn’t miss something, but also, he was hard of hearing on one side. He said that was also the accident, an explosion right near his ear.
But today, it was about his leg. He was getting the boot off.
Viv knew what it was like to listen to a doctor, to hang on every word, and then miss half of them. The emotion, hope, and fear wrapped into every sentence made it hard to listen for understanding and to ask the questions to which you needed answers. Siena had done that for her, and she was going to do that for Tag.
They drove way too fast on the highway and sat in the offices of Dr. Marion Anderson on the campus of the University of Michigan. When it was Tag’s turn, they were in her office, not the exam room.
“Doc, this is my friend Viv.”
“TheVivian Blackwood! Wow, I’m honored.”
“I didn’t know you were famous,” Tag said.
“I’m not, well, I am to women in impressive careers, like Dr. Anderson here.” It was easy to see Dr. Anderson was an impressive professional.
“I wore your Power Suit when I interviewed for the department head job, and wow, the Means Business Blazer when I presented at a big conference a few years back.”
“Well, it looks like it worked.” The office walls had an impressive array of degrees. This was a woman on top of her game.
