“Though we don’t see him as often, now that he has the baby,” Mari put in.
“Maybe that’s why he wants help,” Ana said. “He and that adorable baby are normally joined at the hip.”
“He doesn’t have a job?” Evangeline heard herself ask.
Instantly she could feel her cheeks heat. Shouldn’t she know a little more about her own employer?
“From what I understand he doesn’t need to work,” Ana said quietly. “I think he was lucky with his investments while he was serving.”
“Oh,” Evangeline said, completely stunned.
“He’s very sweet with the baby,” Mari agreed, nodding with serious eyes. “A lot of people might not take too well to what happened, but he’s a good man. You’re very lucky to work for him.”
What happened?
“Cute too,” Ana put in.
Evangeline turned to her, and Ana’s eyes were twinkling.
“Don’t start with that,” her mother laughed.
Evangeline got out her debit card, but Mari pushed it away. She turned to Ana for help.
“He’d never forgive us if we let you pay,” Ana said firmly.
“You’re all set, Evangeline,” Mari said. “Stop in and say hi sometime.”
“I-I…” Evangeline began. But somehow she was crying without even realizing it was going to happen.
“Oh, sweetheart,” Mari said, coming out from behind the counter.
Ana wrapped an arm around Evangeline’s shoulder and Mari joined her to wrap an arm around the other.
“S-sorry,” Evangeline managed. “I’m j-just so grateful.”
“We’re so happy that you’re happy,” Ana said softly.
“I’ll make it up to you later,” Evangeline promised.
“No, no,” Mari said. “Your things are paid for, and you can focus on your new job now.”
“It’s too much,” Evangeline said, pulling herself together. “You could have gotten so much more for all of this.”
“We got exactly the outcome we hoped for,” Mari replied with a smile. “Pura vida.”
“That’s the name of the store,” Evangeline said uncertainly.
“Do you know what it means?” Ana asked Evangeline with a smile.
Evangeline shook her head.
“Technically it translates topure life,” Mari explained. “But back home, we use it for a lot of things. It can be a way to sayhello, oroh well.But mostly it meanslife is good.”
“And that’s how it feels to match you up with the right clothing,” Ana told Evangeline. “And it’s the way you’ll feel to bring good things to Grayson and Leo, right? And Grayson brings goodness to our whole town.”
“Pura vida?” Evangeline ventured.
“That’s it,” Mari said proudly. “Pura vida.”
