“I do, too. I’ve already ordered some beachy Christmas things. Cards, signs, mugs. And we’ll sell Parker’s General Store and Sea Glass Cafe mugs, too. Some general Moonbeam things like t-shirts and souvenirs. I think I’ll do a spring section and a summer section. Then we’ll filter the holiday things into the appropriate season.”
“Once the merchandise comes in, I’ll help you set it up.”
“That would be great. I’m going to pick a grand opening day for it. I’ll have Emily post on the website and social media. Kind of play it up. Generate some buzz.”She laughed.“Generate buzz. That’s what Emily says. Who knew we needed buzz? Anyway, hopefully we’ll generate some traffic and let people know about it.”
“Oh, and I can paint you a sign to put at the bottom of the stairs saying the seasonal room is up here.”
“Perfect.”Livy looked over at her and frowned.“So, I know you said you came over today to help…but what else? You have that look on your face.”
“What look?”
“The one that says you have something to tell me.”Livy wrapped her arms around her knees and rested her chin on her arms.“So, you might as well tell me. You know I’ll drag it out of you.”
“I…well, it appears I have a date with Jesse.”A wave of tentative eagerness washed through her, but she tried to hide it from her cousin. Not that it would ever happen. Livy could always tell when she was hiding something. Well, usually she could.
Livy sat up straight and grinned.“You do? That’s awesome. Great. Fantastic.”
“Tell me how you really feel.”She grinned back at her cousin. That’s one thing about Livy, she never held back on her enthusiasm.
“Where, when? Give me the details.”
“On Monday. We’re going over to Belle Island to Magic Cafe.”
“I haven’t been there in a long time,”Livy said.“That’s a great choice. Beautiful view and away from the town’s prying eyes here in Moonbeam.
“Exactly.”
Livy raised her eyebrows and leaned forward.“So, I guess you guys have worked things out?”
“Pretty much.”Not everything. Some things just couldn’t be worked out. But at least they were friends again. Or friendly. Or something. Maybe she’d figure it out on their date.
Maybe.
Chapter 10
The Parker women all gathered at Donna’s on Sunday for brunch in celebration of her news. Evelyn made a delicious egg casserole along with her famous cinnamon rolls. Heather brought a fruit tray, and Olivia showed up with the makings for mimosas.
Donna enjoyed their little celebration. She wasn’t used to being the center of attention, but she was having fun. They sat around after brunch, sipping drinks and chatting. Emily enthusiastically regaled them with all the photos she’d added to the website and her plans for hyping the new seasonal room. It was just a perfect family day.
Evelyn dug out a pad of paper and jotted down more things for the wedding to-do list. Donna couldn’t believe how much they’d already accomplished on the wedding in just a few short days. Evelyn put down her pen and raised her glass.“To the wonderful wedding Donna is going to have.”
Olivia laughed.“We sure toast a lot in this family.”
“That we do,”Donna agreed.
They raised their mimosa glasses, and Emily raised her glass of orange juice, and they clinked glasses.
“Girls? Are you here?”
Donna stiffened at the sound of her mother’s voice.
They all stopped, frozen in place for a moment before they hastily put down their glasses.
Patricia swept into the kitchen.“There you are.”
“Mother, what are you doing here? If we’d known you were coming to town, we would have invited you to our little celebration,”Evelyn said.
Donna gave her sister a hard look, hoping their mother didn’t catch on to thecelebrationword. She hadn’t actually told her the news yet.
