Tansy went out of her way to give Beck a wide berth, although since he seemed to be doing the same, it probably wasn’t necessary. Kitty had him in to fix some little thing one day when she’d been working on a four-tiered wedding cake, but they’d ignored each other. Same thing when she was in the diner and Dee-Ann called him to take care of a door problem.
Still, Tansy wasn’t taking any chances. She and his grandfather were scheduled to sign the house papers the following Wednesday.
She could barely sleep from the excitement.
Gracie, on the other hand, had never slept so well. Tansy had worried herself sick about uprooting her daughter, about tearing her away from everything she knew. She should have done it sooner.
Every day brought new excitement for Gracie and new friends, young and old, into her life. She played in the yard till she was ready to drop. Unlike Beck, Emerson hadn’t earned his spot in the family business; he’d simply inherited it. Because of that he hadn’t valued it and had often stayed out late, feeding his addiction, then sleeping till noon. Fortunately, he’d worked in the family business, which meant that if he didn’t show, the paychecks still rolled in—until even the family gave up on him.
But when he slept all day, she and Gracie had to do quiet things like reading books or coloring or watching a movie in Gracie’s room.
At her mother’s, noise was never a consideration. If it was warm enough, they hooked up the sprinkler and played in the water, squealing every time it hit them. If it was too cool for that, they rode bikes or played dolls or hide-and-seek.
Life was good. With the exception of Beck Elliot.
When she’d lived out of town, she could put Beck and her feelings in a little box and shuffle it to the back of her mind. Here, that box had sprung its lock.
Somehow or other, she had to get past it. She couldn’t keep crossing the street or checking out quickly without half of what she needed when she spotted him in the grocery store.
Playing hide-and-seek with Gracie in the yard was one thing. Playing hide-from-Beck was another entirely.
* * *
Bound and determined to make Tansy’s homecoming a happy event, her mother and Gracie hit up every antique shop within driving distance and rounded up more teapots along with a beautiful set of pink Depression glass dishes. They’d use them for the party; then they’d become part of Tansy’s Sweet Dreams stock.
The calendar flipped to October, and the Sunday of the get-together couldn’t have been more perfect. Sunny and with barely any humidity, the temperature hovered in the midseventies. Coralee showed up early to help with the decorating, bringing a few surprises of her own. In no time, they had the yard looking like a fantasy garden.
They’d set up an adult table and one for the little girls. Her mom had found several vintage tablecloths in pink-flowered cotton that created a festive air all by themselves. Pots of pretty flowers, courtesy of Cricket’s Enchanted Florist, dotted the patio area with splashes of color. Coralee had painted several outside canvasses with Alice in Wonderland tea-party scenes featuring Tansy’s friends and family. She hung the ornately framed paintings along the fence.
“My welcome-home gift for you. When you open Sweet Dreams, they’ll look cute hung around the tearoom.”
“They’re awesome!” Tansy hugged her, then studied the faces on the canvasses. “Coralee, these are magnificent. You’ve captured everyone perfectly, including their personalities.”
“It’s a gift, dear.”
Tansy threw back her head and laughed. Her aunt did not believe in hiding her light under a basket. No false modesty here.
Kitty brought mini-cakes in chocolate, red velvet, lemon, and white, along with yummy-looking Mason-jar pies. Tansy helped her arrange them on a serving table decorated with teapots filled with pink rosebuds and baby’s breath.
“In another week, sweetie, Kitty’s Kakes and Bakery will be a thing of the past. It’ll be up to you to provide fancy little treats for parties like this.”
“I don’t want you to leave, though.”
“Don’t worry. I told you, Harv and I are in no hurry. Before we jump into our next adventure, we’re gonna put our feet up and enjoy some quiet do-nothin’ time.”
“Good for you.”
“And who knows? A certain someone might like an old woman’s help getting her business off the ground.”
“I’d love that, Kitty.”
“You let me know when and how I can help. Otherwise, I’ll keep my nose to myself.”
“Anybody here?” The back gate opened, and Cricket and Jenni Beth peeked into the yard.
“Oh my gosh, you two look beautiful.” Tansy hugged them. “Turn. Let me see.”
Both did slow, dramatic three-sixties, huge grins on their faces. Cricket wore a flowing vintage dress in sage green with strappy little sandals, while Jenni Beth had chosen a silk sheath with three-quarter-length sleeves in old gold. Both wore the requisite big hat.
“Look at us!” Jenni Beth put her arms around the other two girls’ shoulders. “Together we’ve covered Mother Nature’s autumn palette.”
Tansy looked down at her own burnt-orange tunic worn over black leggings. “Yes, we have!”
Her mother clicked a picture. “For your Sweet Dreams photo board.”
“Photo board?” Jenni Beth asked.
Tansy shrugged. “I thought it might be nice if my customers shared their special moments with others at the shop. Kind of a celebration of life in Misty Bottoms.”
“Great idea!” Jenni Beth turned to Tansy’s mom and aunt and took in their outfits. “May I just say wow!”
Tansy applauded her friend’s tact.
Rexanna wore navy slacks and a lacy white top, the epitome of understated Southern elegance. Coralee, on the other hand, wore a long, loose caftan in a bright blue, red, and orange print with two chunky turquoise necklaces and silver cuff bracelets. Today’s shoe choice was a leopard-print wedge sandal.
Cricket held up a bunch of flowers. “Where do you want these?”
“I thought we’d scatter them in those.” She pointed to clear bottles hanging from a couple of the trees.
Gracie wrapped her arms around Tansy’s leg. “Mama and me stringed them up this mornin’.”
“Well, you did a great job!” Cricket held out a hand to her. “Want to help me arrange the flowers in them?”
“Uh-huh.”
And they were off.
“She’s adorable, Tanz. You must be so proud of her.”
“I am, Jenni Beth.” She stared at her daughter. “She starts preschool next week.”
“And she can’t wait, and you’re dreading it.”
“Yeah.” She grinned. “Mom insists it’ll be fine. She’ll only go three days a week for a while. Give her—or me, more likely—a chance to get used to it.”
Jenni Beth held up a platter of finger sandwiches. “Charlotte and Mama made these this morning. We have cucumber and cream cheese, pimento cheese, and bacon and tomato.”
“I find myself craving Ms. Charlotte’s pimento cheese spread.”
“You and me both. She remembered that was your favorite, so she was hell-bent on making it.”
“She and your mom are coming, aren’t they?”
“They were leavin’ a few minutes behind us. I wanted them to ride with us, but they insisted they’d come in Dad’s van. I gave up arguin’ with my mom a long time ago.”
“Got you. She’s doin’ better, isn’t she?”
Jenni Beth nodded. “The wedding business at Magnolia House has been good for her. It keeps her busy and her mind off my brother’s death.”
“I’m glad.” Tansy squeezed her friend’s hand. “Let’s set those sandwiches over there. We have enough food for an army. Kitty brought dessert, and Mom and I made a fresh fruit bowl, warm and cold pasta salads, and more finger sandwiches. On top of all that, we have chicken salad, egg salad, and asparagus rollups.”
Beside the food table was another that held ice-cold lemonade and a box of teas in more varieties than Tansy could count.
The gate swung open. Adorable in their hats and fall outfits, Mrs. Beaumont and Charlotte came in, followed by Cole’s mother and… Oh my gosh, Beck’s mama. Tansy, gaping, glanced toward her mother, who was smiling broadly.
Bringing up the rear was Darlene, Dee-Ann, and Ms. Hattie.
Judy Elliot wasted no time moving in for a hug. “It’s so good to see you, Tansy.” Pulling slightly away, she said, “I won’t lie. I’d hoped that you and my son would be growin’ a family by now, but that’s between the two of you. I’ve always loved you, and that hasn’t changed.”
“Thank you.” Tansy’s eyes misted.
“I didn’t mean to make you cry, sweetie, but I don’t want you to feel funny or awkward around me or, for heaven’s sake, avoid me. Promise me that won’t happen.”
She gave her a wobbly smile. “It won’t.”
“Good.” With that, she crossed the yard to Rexanna.
Tansy took a deep breath and greeted their other guests.
“Ms. Hattie!” She wrapped the wizened woman in a warm hug. “It’s so good to see you.”
“Good to see you, too, child. Guess you heard what Jenni Beth, Cole, and Beck did for me.”
“I did.”
Ms. Hattie, who’d helped nearly everyone in Misty Bottoms at one time or another, had aged. Now, she needed help, and Tansy’s friends had pitched in, fixing up her badly-in-need-of-repair home.
“I wish I could have been here to help.”
“Well, you’re home now, and that’s what matters, isn’t it?”
“Yes. It is.”
Gracie gave a happy shout when she turned from her flower decorating and spotted two towheaded young girls skipping through the yard.
“My sister’s granddaughters,” Darlene told Tansy. “Fraternal twins, Dixie and Trixie.” She rolled her eyes heavenward. “They’ve been pesterin’ me somethin’ awful about this. We made their hats yesterday.”
“They’re darlin’,” Rexanna said.
Trixie wore a pink straw hat decorated with a feather boa and pink roses. Dixie had gone with a red cowgirl hat boasting white roses and a peacock feather.
“I have a hat, too.” Gracie patted her floppy felt hat with its yellow tulle bow. Daisies sprinkled the wide brim.
The girls dropped in the grass and tried on each other’s hats, then, holding hands, ran across the yard to the games.
“I think they’re gonna do just fine,” Charlotte said.
“It was nice of you to bring the girls, Darlene.” Tansy watched the children. “Gracie has missed her play friends.”
Darlene waved a hand. “Don’t think a thing of it. I love those two like they were my own. And believe me, their mama is enjoyin’ a little free time. My guess? She’s up to her neck in a tub full of bubbles right about now.”
Quinlyn peeked around the gate. “Am I late?”
“No, you’re not!” Tansy made a come-on-in motion.
The yard filled with talk and laughter, and Tansy acknowledged her mother had been right. She needed this. They all needed this.
The kids squealed and laughed as they played ring toss and threw a beanbag at a wooden clown, its mouth wide-open. Cole had sent that earlier as his contribution. The older women drank tea and caught up, while Quinlyn, Cricket, Jenni Beth, and Tansy ate finger sandwiches and talked about her plans.
Home. A slice of heaven.
Tansy lowered her voice. “Jenni Beth, I know you put a ton of work into Magnolia House, and that Cole and Beck helped a lot. Who else did you use?”
“For the actual work?”
Tansy nodded.
Her friend grimaced. “Beck arranged it. Some of the men were his crew; others were friends of his in the business. The guy’s got a Rolodex ten inches thick.”
“Oh.”
“I might be able to go back through my records and pull some names for you.”
“No.” Tansy shook her head. “I won’t ask you to do that. Somehow that seems disloyal, and neither you nor I would feel good about it. I’ll check around town and see who I can find.”
“There’s a board—oh, shoot.” Cricket shut herself down.
“What?”
“There’s a board where some of the guys post their business cards, but that’s in Elliot’s Lumberyard, too.”
Tansy sipped her tea. “This will be harder than I realized. When it comes to help and materials, Elliot’s Construction and Lumberyard has the town pretty well sewn up.”
There’d been a time when that would have been a big plus for her, when Beck would have jumped right in and done whatever was necessary for her. That wasn’t going to happen this time.
She allowed herself all of two minutes to brood over that while the chatter continued around her. Then she dusted herself off and joined the debate about which type of shoe they couldn’t live without—ballet flats, nude pumps, kitten heels, or stilettos. They finally agreed they needed them all.
“I had the strangest conversation with one of our future grooms the other day,” Jenni Beth said.
“What’d he say?” Cricket asked.
“That now Brandy—that’s his bride—would be a permanent part of our town’s history. I guess my face gave me away because he said, you know, as a Magnolia Bride. It was the way he said it that struck me as odd, but I can’t quite put my finger on why.”
“Well, then, why don’t you put your finger on one of these?” Coralee suggested, holding a tray of the Mason-jar pies. “Time to eat up, ladies.”
“What the heck? I’ll eat salad all next week.” Jenni Beth plucked a lemon meringue off the tray. “Y’all have to have one, too.”
Tansy, Cricket, and Quin all picked their favorite.
They talked, laughed, ate, and drank tea and lemonade. Finally, though, the little ones wore down, and everyone wandered off, a few at a time, until at the end of the wonderful day, it was just her and her mother in the kitchen. Tansy stacked the last of the plates in the dishwasher. Her welcome-home party had been awesome.
She’d worried when Judy Elliot showed up. She shouldn’t have. Beck’s mom was, without a doubt, one of the warmest, most gracious people on earth. Not once had she thrown Tansy’s betrayal in her face.
But Judy’s son was now at the root of Tansy’s problems.
How could she possibly turn the Elliot house into her dream without his cooperation?
The question of the day.
Heck, the question of the rest of her new life.