Page 45 of What Remains True
“It sounds like a fairy tale.”
“Well, I’m not saying Adam is the guy, but he does ride a big white stallion. I’ve seen him.” Tara winked at her. “You can write your own fairy tale.”
“Thank you, Tara.”
“Now finish knocking out that wall. I’ve got work to do there.”
Merry Anna didn’t hesitate. She swung that hammer until she thought she might cry, but the relief of each powerful landing was like snipping the ties to Kevin, her past, and everyone’s opinion about it.
If I ever do have another relationship, it’ll be someone worthy of writing home about.
13
On Monday morning, Merry Annaput on slacks so she could ride to work on the bike Krissy had loaned her. Retro green and cream with a cute stained-wicker basket on the front, the old Schwinn was probably worth a fortune. She coasted down her driveway and then pedaled up the street. Was it her imagination or were the birds singing extra loud today?
She pedaled on past the colorful metal rooster statue in front of Memory Lane Antique and Crafts. If she had time after work, she’d stop in and see if she could find a new project for the bunkhouse or maybe even a little housewarming gift for Tara.
Slowing in front of Hardy House, she felt a sense of pride for her tiny part in this little store that she’d never felt as COO of the Supply Cabinet.Why is that? I don’t even have an investment in this place.
Maybe that was the problem. She had a major investment in the Supply Cabinet, but it was neverherfinancial investment. Her uncle had been the one to put the sweat equity into that business. She’d been expected to carry it on, an unspoken promise of sorts between her mom and dad andher mom’s brother. There’d never been a time when Merry Anna had been allowed to entertain doing anything else for a living.
Was that because working for her family’s business was her duty? She’d thought she was happy, but then, she’d thought her marriage was okay, too, and that had been a hot mess.
The sad part was that now that she realized how joyful she felt doing these other things, how was she supposed to go back to her old routine of ten-hour days? Gosh, the more she tried to figure out who she was and what she should be doing, the more confusing it became.
She went inside, grateful for her life today and trying so hard not to get hung up on why.
“Good morning, Merry Anna.” Krissy was dressed in a summery yellow sundress and sandals with daisies on them. “How was your weekend?”
“So good.” She brushed her fingers across the stack of new pillowcases. “These just came in?”
“Yes! Aren’t they fabulous?”
“I don’t think I’ve ever felt anything softer.” Each case had tiny flowers embroidered at the edge. It was such a simple and delicate design that it made them feel even more precious. “I’m definitely going to need a set of these.”
“I already put aside the ones with the tiny bluebells on them for me. I just got off the phone with Liz. I know she’s going to want them for Angels Rest too.”
“This is the only bad thing about working for this place. I could spend my whole check in here.”
“I have the same problem,” Krissy said. “But isn’t that a great problem to have?” Her laughter was light. “I love Hardy House.”
“Me too. You don’t know how much meeting you and staying here in Antler Creek has meant to me.”
“I never wanted to pry, but I knew you needed something.” She pressed her hand against her heart. “I’m not asking for details. But I do want you to know that you have been such a treasure to me. Which brings me to something very important that I need to talk to you about.”
Dread tensed Merry Anna’s muscles. “Is everything okay?” Was she going to lose this wonderful little job? Was this the sign that she was supposed to go back to work like Mom kept saying? Deflated, she tried to hide her concern. “What can I do?”
“Everything is perfect. More than perfect. I don’t even want to think you might leave me someday. I heard through the grapevine that you’ve made some new friends—wait, more specifically, a very handsome, fearless friend.”
Adam.She started laughing.
“I know it’s none of my business, but if you were to meet someone here in Antler Creek and that meant you’d be around forever, well then, wouldn’t things be great?”
“Yes. Yes, they would.” She exhaled a sigh of relief. “Oh, Krissy. I was just outside this morning, looking at this store and wondering how I ever thought I was living before I came to Antler Creek.”
Krissy walked over and hugged her. “I feel like we’ve been friends forever.”
“I was so broken when I got here.” Merry Anna couldn’t fight the memories flooding back, as fresh as if she were standing there watching Kevin lean into that woman’s car and kiss her. Not just a peck either. He’d lingered long enough that she realized she was standing in the middle of theparking garage in plain sight. She’d hopped behind a pillar, but she couldn’t make herself look away. It was clear that it was something that had been going on for a long while. She’d felt so tiny and insignificant.
