“Sounds like my aunt. She always wanted each item to go to someone who would appreciate it.” Sadness lurked in the depths of his eyes.
“You must miss her.”
“I do. We were so close. She was the last living member of my family.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. That must be hard.”
“I’m just glad I moved to Magnolia when I did, so I had all those years with her. Besides, I really love living here. Love how everyone is so friendly. And it’s a slower pace than the life I had back in San Francisco.”
“I bet that was a change for you. I’m finding it quite different from my life back in Philadelphia too.”
“I heard you were originally from here in Magnolia. What made you move back?”
Not really a question she knew how to answer. At least not without getting into the messy details of her divorce and her failed attempts at finding a job back home. She wasn’t about to tell him all about that. So she just said, “I needed a change. A fresh start.”
“Magnolia Key is a good place for that. It sure gave me a much-needed change.”
He didn’t expound on why he’d needed a change either, and she didn’t press him.
He shoved the bookcase a bit closer to the window. “I heard you’re staying with Beverly.”
“I am. At least for a bit. And it’s fun catching up with her. We were best friends growing up here. Always together.” She gave a little laugh. “And I guess we’re right back to that now. Working together and living together.”
He glanced at his watch. “Well, I better run. Have another delivery, then I’ll head back to the store.”
“Thanks again for the help.”
“Come by the store anytime to browse if you like.” He gave her a quick smile and a nod and left the room.
He really was a nice guy. Friendly. Helpful. She probably would take him up on his offer and go browse around his shop again. She did enjoy that. Not because she’d see him again if she went…
Shaking her head at her thoughts, she walked over to the bookcase and smiled. Such big plans for this piece of furniture. Ginger would have been happy to see it go to such good use.
* * *
Later that evening, Beverly and Maxine strolled over to the town park with two camp chairs. They set up not far from the gazebo. Soon more townspeople showed up and milled around, waiting for the barbershop quartet to begin.
“Ladies, good evening.” Dale walked up to where they were sitting. “Mind if I join you?”
“No, of course not. Sit.” Beverly smiled at him. She noticed he placed his chair next to Maxine’s. Good. Maybe the two of them would hit it off. Maxine needed more friends here in Magnolia. And she needed some outside interests besides just working at Coastal Coffee.
She enjoyed having her friend back here in town. It was almost like old times. Except they worked instead of studied and had way less free time. She still felt like there was a distance between them though. But maybe that was normal after so long. They’d spent so many years apart.
“Look. There’s Miss Eleanor.” Maxine leaned close and nodded toward the edge of the crowd.
“She does like it when the town holds events here at the town park. That’s why she’s always spearheading a fundraiser for it. To keep the park nice and raise money for things like the barbershop quartet and festivals.”
“I really do need to volunteer for the fundraiser.” Maxine frowned. “When is it?”
“It’s next weekend.”
“Maybe I should run over there and tell her I’ll help.”
Just then, the quartet took the stage. “Maybe afterward,” Beverly whispered.
Soon the men were singing in perfect harmony. They got the crowd to sing along on some of their songs, and she thoroughly enjoyed their concert.
“That was great. I’d forgotten how much fun concerts in the park were.” Maxine stood at the end and closed up her chair.
