Page 71 of Dreams That Bind Us
Can you join us? In case you're wondering, James will not be here. And just so it's clear between us, I'd never set you up like that. I hope you can make it. I'd love to return the favor and impart some words of wisdom if possible. Six pm. Don't worry about bringing anything. The ladies are taking care of that. Best, Annette
Anna heaved a shuddering breath, and more hot tears flooded her eyes. What perfect timing.
While it warred with her instinct to stay within the metal walls of her warehouse, her need to talk through her heartbreak and roiling emotions was nearly eating her alive. She was tired of being a hermit, tired of living like this and hiding away from the world.
She was only one piece of furniture away from completing The Majestic's final order. Once she was done, it was time for her to start emptying that bucket list.
The gathering was well underway when Anna parked near Paradise West. The animated banter she could hear from where she stood on the front porch brought the first real smile to her face in weeks. She paused on the porch, her hand raised to ring the doorbell, wondering if the ladies knew that she and James had separated.
Under the most ideal circumstances, news of her failed romance wouldn't have made the island’s grapevine. But Anna knew better than that. There was nothing this town loved more than to talk about drama.
Would she get sympathetic comments? Urgings to forgive James and welcome him back with open arms? Or would it be offers to set her up with a distant cousin? All three scenarios sounded horrific.
Get out of your head, Anna!
Anna rang the bell and cringed at the nearly deafening screech as Hazel swung the front door wide.
"Anna! You made it," Hazel slurred. A cloud of alcohol vapors tinged with fruit hovered around the woman's head, suggesting she had pre-gamed before the meeting, which wasn't unusual for the Royal Conch Society.
Just as Annette had predicted, it looked unlikely that they'd be discussing any romance novels. "Come in. Come in. Iris's sangria batch is particularly potent tonight. I think you might enjoy it."
The thought of a strong drink actually sounded great. "Thank you. I'm sure it will." Anna closed the door behind her and followed Hazel into the main room.
"There she is!" called Miriam, who was perched at a high table across the room, Annette by her side. Miriam held up a glass of sangria in toast. "Anna, make a stop at the bar and then head over here. There's a favor we need to ask you."
Oh, boy.
She'd known every member of the Royal Conch Society since she was a child, and their reputations, and shenanigans, had only grown more flamboyant as they got older. There was no telling what they would ask of her, but her gut told her it had something to do with her abilities.
Dutifully, Anna grabbed a drink and strolled to the table, settling onto a tall bar stool. "I thought this was a book club meeting," she muttered to Annette.
Miriam waved a hand. "We'll get to that eventually. Maybe. But first, we have to get the details ironed out for our annual Halloween party."
Anna blinked. "That's a month away."
"Yes, which means we're late getting it set. Normally, we have it planned out months in advance, but it slipped off our radar this year."
Miriam took a long sip and set her cup down with a loud 'Ahhhh'. "Annette has agreed to hold the party here and Cornelia had a great idea to have interactive stations throughout the first and second floors where guests could stop. We thought it would be fun to have a fortune teller booth."
Anna shook her head, knowing exactly where Miriam was going with this.
"Don't say no yet, girl. Just hear me out." Miriam held her hands up dramatically, her eyes bright with excitement. "We can call it Madame Louise's Fortunes in honor of your aunt and we can charge them ten dollars for a reading. You won't have to go into much detail, just let those walls down a bit and give them a little taste of their future, wow them a little. We decidedthe money would go to the local food bank. Now, what do you think?"
The group's leader propped on one elbow and grinned, her eyes daring Anna to say no.
"You know I don't tell fortunes, Miriam. You need Aunt Louise for that."
"Oh, I know, dear. But I checked with her already and she may not return from Italy in time. She recommended you and said you could stumble your way through it."
Anna drew back as if she’d been slapped. "She did?" It was difficult to control the shock in her voice. Her aunt knew how much she would hate this.
"Mmmhmmm. Said it would be great to get you out of your cave for a bit. I agree." Miriam leaned closer. "It's no good to wallow in heartbreak alone. You need to be around people."
Well, shit.
So much for hoping they wouldn't have heard about the breakup.
Anna took a huge gulp of her sangria and coughed as it burn down her throat. No wonder Hazel was stumbling around. The drinks were close to pure alcohol tonight.
