My heart flutters.
“There’s a reason for everything. Noah and you needed a gentle push from the Universe, but you were always meant to be together. You just didn’t see it.”
I open my mouth to answer that yes, I saw it, I totally saw it, but I think better of it. Not only would this mean going into the specifics of this marriage in public—not advised—but also….
Did Ireallysee it, at the time?
Or was I just so convinced I wasn’t good enough for Noah, that in his presence I made myself invisible?
“Thanks, Cass,” I say, finally closing my mouth.
She takes me in a side hug. “Why don’t you go get Lilyvale ready for the home invasion while this town helps you?”
forty-seven
Willow
Before leaving the store, I touch base with Dean and Elaine about the Bitch Brigade’s plan.
“Wouldn’t dream of interfering with the ladies,” Dean says.
Elaine gives me a wide smile. “It’s about time my department gets some recognition.”
Lane leaves with me. “I can’t wait to open up all these dusty photo albums,” she says. “But what’s this home invasion thing?”
Speaking in hushed tones because we’re on the street, I fill her in on Ms. Angela’s idea, then lay out the role she needs to play to make it work. I can feel her hesitation, but I know this will be good for Lane. Her coming to the store this morning shows a shift is happening inside her. Taking her mind off her own problems will help further.
And I also don’t believe Gail will move into Lilyvale based only on Ms. Angela’s word. She’ll need some serious coaxing.
Enter Lane.
“I’ve never hidden the fact that I hate her,” Lane tells me when I lay out my idea.
“Frame it differently. You haven’t seen her in a while. You’ve matured. The death of your father brought you and Gail closer, and now you’re set to unite with her against me—the intruder. The gold-digger. You could even play on the next generation, and how this whole…” I gesture toward her belly “situation, is making you see things differently.”
She pulls a face. “And then what?”
“Then, the fun begins. There’s a reason she hated Lilyvale and Emerald Creek.” I don’t want to say it out loud, in case I jinx it.
The mansion looks at me kindly as we walk up the path to the front door. It’s been nothing but warm vibes since I’ve lived here. For whatever reason, Lilyvale has always been welcoming to me. That doesn’t mean she can’t feel differently about someone else.
As we brush against the cornstalks Beck attached to the pillars, Lane reads my mind. “That doesn’t sound like a safe situation.” The front door creaks ominously as we enter.
A small smile spreads on my lips. “How do you mean?”
“Gail is vicious. She’s gonna snoop around.”
“Let her. We’ve got nothing to hide.”Well, I might tell Noah to hide the prenup. She could draw conclusions. And that fake-marriage contract we signed too. We can’t risk her finding that.
While Lane goes on her search for photographs, I give Mom a call instead of sending my customary text message. “I heard there’s some hoopla going on with that woman,” she tells me. “Be careful.”
“I’ll be fine, Mom. But thank you.” It means a lot to me that Mom is finally taking my side.
“Let me know if you need help,” she adds before ending the call.
For the next hour, I work from the kitchen on my laptop, following up on our Christmas orders. Our pumpkin-scented garlands of dried leaves are so popular this season we’re almost sold out, so I’m ordering double quantity of pinecone-cinnamon-orange rind-evergreen garlands for the holidays. Then I open my Ideas document and type,Talk to Autumn about offering a Christmas decoration service through the store.
With a happy sigh, I walk to the office. I’ve gotten rid of all the heavy, dark-colored drapes—which for the most part, literally fell apart when we pulled them down. In their place, gauze curtains and organdy panels filter the autumn light. Large bouquets of hydrangeas grace each room. Instead of changing the drab looking sofas, I’ve opted to have them reupholstered in warm neutral colors. Throw pillows in bold patterns uplift the tone of each room.
