Chapter Seventeen

Callie wandered around Windsong’s Art Walk the next morning for her second ambassador assignment. She couldn’t remember the last time she had visited the weekly event in Pine Park where local artists sold their wares, and she couldn’t have asked for a more perfect day outside. Blue sky, warm sun, birds chirping in the countless trees along the bluff, the scent of the sea mingling with pine and earth.

She took photos with her phone, talked to artists, admired the many different forms of art. “Good morning,” she said to Marvin, admiring his glass vases, sun catchers, windchimes, small figurines, and wall art.

“Hi, Callie. Thanks for stopping by. Let me know if I can answer any questions.”

With a nod, she ventured toward some tiny glass animals and discovered a glass-blown spider, black with a red heart on its underbelly. She carefully picked up the delicate art piece with a certain cowboy in mind. As of late, he filled her head way too often.

She put the glass spider down. Picked it back up. Put it down. Picked it up. Stop overthinking it and buy the figurine to thank him for letting you stay with him. “I’ll take this, please,” she told Marvin.

She could already picture Hunter’s smile when she gave it to him.

“Callie?”

Turning her head, she found Mrs. Chapman and another woman who, from the resemblance, must be a family member.

“I thought that was you,” Mrs. Chapman continued. “This is my sister, Luella. Lu, this is the dress designer I was telling you about.”

“Nice to meet you,” Callie said, accepting a small bag with her purchase inside it from Marvin.

“Before my sister talks shop,” Mrs. Chapman guided them away from Marvin’s booth, “I’ve got good news about the cottage. There’s no mold, so we’re moving ahead with reconditioning the floors and remodeling the bathroom.”

“That’s great. Thank you.” Grateful for the update, her mind raced with ideas for the shop—her very own storefront! Now came the hard part: growing her business to where she could afford to buy the building when the time came in a few short months.

“On to dresses,” Luella said, “I’m getting married in April and my daughter is my maid of honor. She recently broke up with her longtime boyfriend—”

“Who no one especially cared for,” Mrs. Chapman interjected.

“Right. And she’s one of those girls who is in love with love and wants to settle down.”

Doc Howser and his wife passed by them with a smile and a hello.

“I’d like to hire you to make her dress. Your reputation as a good-luck charm is one I can’t ignore, and I couldn’t think of a better wedding gift to myself than to have her wear your design.”

“She could be one of your first clients in your new store,” Mrs. Chapman said with a clap of her hands.

“I’d love to make her dress.” If word could keep spreading and maids of honor continued to find their own HEAs, then that got her closer to her dream of owning the cottage by summer.

“Fabulous. We’re in San Francisco but can drive down anytime.”

Callie pulled her appointment book out of her bag. They set a day and time for early December.

“Hello, Cicely,” Mrs. Chapman said warmly as the mayor of Windsong approached.

Always well dressed with a friendly expression on her face, Mayor Garnett had several bags hanging off her arm. “Hello! You three look like you’re conspiring about something.”

She was also very intuitive.

“I’ve just booked Callie for my daughter’s maid of honor dress.” The delight in Luella’s voice filled Callie with joy. She loved being part of weddings and making the bridesmaids feel beautiful in a dress they’d want to wear again. Loved the magic she’d been blessed with when designing the MOH dresses. She crossed her fingers her good-luck streak lasted for many more years so she could keep helping people find their happily ever afters. Not having to stress about a mortgage payment would be pretty nice, too.

“Congratulations on your engagement. And best wishes to your daughter.”

Mrs. Chapman looked at her wristwatch. “I’m sorry to rush off, but we have lunch reservations in five minutes.”

“Of course,” the mayor said.

“I’ll see you soon, Callie,” Luella called over her shoulder after they all said goodbye.

“I’m guessing you’re here for your ambassador article,” Mayor Garnett said now that it was just the two of them.

“I am.” Last night she’d dreamt she won. She’d stood at a podium to give a thank-you speech with a crown on her head (in reality there was no crown) and a standing ovation. Her sister was there clapping, but she had on her own crown, and a sash across her chest, and a First-Place ribbon pinned to her dress and a key to the city dangling from a gold necklace because she’d built a home for a family in need.

Callie shook off the dream and resolved to forget it by the time her head hit the pillow tonight. Comparison is the thief of joy.

“It looks like this is one of your favorite places.” Callie gestured toward the mayor’s shopping bags.

“Early Christmas shopping.” She quietly studied Callie for a moment. “You’re becoming something special and unique to Windsong.”

It took Callie a second to realize she meant with her dressmaking business. “Thank you. I can’t think of anything better than being part of the fabric of this town. Even if it is a little stressful at times,” she admitted. “I don’t want to let anyone down.”

“That’s not possible when you do your best.”

“Easier said than done.”

“True.” The mayor’s kind eyes blinked in agreement. “I’m looking forward to seeing what the next year brings for you.” She glanced over Callie’s head. “There’s my husband, waving for me. Good luck with everything.”

Callie’s imagination ran wild as she watched the mayor walk away. She’d pinned her hopes on the ambassador position freeing her from more than her sister’s shadow. It would also give her an escape from the pressure of being a business owner. She could use her magic touch for the benefit of the whole town.

Similar to her time in Africa, she’d be an integral part of the greater good, just like her parents and sister were in their pursuits. This opportunity might finally be the thing to get her over her mistrust of them and create a bond they could build on.