I shoved away from the door, feeling so very drained.
On a normal night, I had about a fifty-fifty chance of sleeping more than three or four hours.
Tonight, I was pretty sure, was not a normal night.
Chapter Thirteen
Magnolia
When I was younger and had unlimited money, shopping was something I did because I could. It was strangely not that satisfying, but I could never figure out why it left me feeling empty. Maybe in part because I’d had to shop either alone or with my mother. I hadn’t had true friends to spend a Saturday with in the finest stores in Nashville. Also I’d erred on the side of overdoing it and hadn’t cared. Unsure which color of ten-thousand-dollar purse to buy? No need to choose; just throw them both in.
To clarify, I wasn’t proud of past me.
Now that I had very little extra money, shopping ironically brought me joy. Every purchase mattered more, required careful consideration. As a small business owner, I valued local stores and supported them whenever I could. Shopping was often a social event for me now, either because I had friends to go with or because I knew the shop owners or both.
Presley and I decided to kick off November by decorating for the season—our businesses and her home. My apartment was too small to add much without it feeling cluttered. Besides, the only person who ever saw it was Dotty.
Well, except for Luke’s midnight visit, which I was still trying to figure out. All I could conclude was that the kiss had been a mistake. A slip-up. Not something to still be thinking about more than a week later.
During the lunch hour, Presley and I hit Oopsie Daisies, where she bought one of Piper’s beautiful handmade centerpieces for her dining-room table. She also chose several signs hand-painted with sayings like “Fall is my favorite F word” and “Thankful, blessed, and pumpkin spice obsessed.” I selected a simple fall floral arrangement in a mason jar with tiny fairy lights inside to add to my beverage counter at my business.
We said goodbye to Piper and Tansy, then walked past our own businesses and halfway down the block to Earthly Charm.
“Hey, ladies,” Harper called out when we came in the door. “Come on in. Treat yourselves to our hot cider bar.”
“You don’t have to tell me twice,” Presley said as we headed toward the festive table set up near the checkout counter.
“Wow, I love this,” I said as I ladled cider into my cup and eyed the toppings.
“Clever girls,” Presley said. “Look at all these choices.”
There were ramekins filled with cinnamon sticks, caramel sauce, caramel bits, nutmeg, and cloves. A can of whipped cream stood at the ready, and there was a beautiful plate of cranberries, orange slices, and apple slices.
“I highly recommend the caramel bits,” a shopper I didn’t know told us.
I followed her recommendation, threw in a cinnamon stick, and squirted whipped cream on top.
“Cheers,” I said, holding up my cup toward Presley. We tapped our paper cups together and sipped.
“This is the best cider I’ve ever had,” Presley said.
“Cambria’s creation,” Harper said. “If we were at a private party, we’d have bourbon, whiskey, and rum for add-ins as well. For everyone except me.”
“Let’s see that bump.” Presley’s attention was on Harper’s belly, which was officially showing her pregnancy. “How far along now?”
“Twenty-six weeks. I’ve been pregnant for half a year.” She laughed, her eyes lighting up, showing exactly how she felt to be newly wed to Max Dawson and mom to Danny and soon to be a second child.
“You’re well past the halfway mark with that little one,” I said. I held my cup up as if to toast again.
“Time flies. The baby’s going to be here before you know it,” Presley said. “Does Danny understand what’s going on yet?”
“He’s so excited.” Harper’s smile was wide, and her eyes lit up. “He doesn’t get how long nine months is, so he’s more than ready to be a big brother and can’t understand what’s taking so long.”
“That’s cute,” I said, then sipped more cider. I pointed to the topping bar. “I’m stealing this idea. I don’t know where I’ll use it yet, but I’m going to.”
“Feel free,” Harper said.
Two women approached the checkout counter, so Presley and I stepped back and let Harper tend to her business. We made our way around the store, touching crystals, sniffing essential oil blends, and admiring Cambria’s handmade candles.
