Miss Frankie grins, reaching out to kiss Star on the cheek before moving my way and rubbing her hand on my arm. "Don't be a stranger now, Charlotte. It'll be good to catch up and hear about all of your adventures over the years.” With one last wave, she leaves the shop.
Star tilts her head. “You’re the daughter Mags is always tellin’ us about. It’s so good to finally meet you. Us girls have all heard so much about you, I almost feel like I know you already.”
"Us girls?" I ask curiously.
"Oh, me and Cora. She's Rhett's woman. There's also Leah–Lee, but she's studyin' in Colorado. She comes back to visit for the holidays and she and Colt will be back here for good from Summer next year."
My tired mind is a whirl with all these new names. "Rhett Graham?"
"Yep, that's the one. I'm married to Landry, another Graham brother." She waves her hand between us, showing off a gorgeous wedding ring on her finger. "Hang on... do you know them?"
"I used to," I answer honestly. "We've been out of touch since I left but I saw Austin and Toby at the diner the other day."
She nods. "Was that before or after they spent the afternoon at the Cow and Austin came home tipsy? It wassofunny. Toby wouldn’t leave the poor man be. Kept teasin’ him and gettin’ Landry on board."
My head jerks back. "I'm assumin' before. They seemed sober when they were at the diner." Was seeing me againthatbad that Austin had to getdrunk?
"Oh well, you'll have to come out to the ranch sometime once the Holly Jolly Christmas Cup is over."
I shoot her a confused stare. "The what now?"
Star giggles. "It's this competition pittin' mountain against mountain that the Sallys dreamed up. Toby and I are travelin’ to Kinleyville next weekend to go up against other teams. It's all in the aim of spreadin’ Christmas cheer."
Nodding, I look out to the street. "I was a little surprised that there aren't any decorations hangin' up. Growin' up, the town was always painted green and red from December first, and you couldn't go anywhere without seein’ tinsel or gettin’ glittersomewhere."
"See! You get it. Anyway, the aim is to be named a finalist and then we'll come back and the whole town will turn Spring Haven into the most Christmasy town on the range."
"Well, count me in. If I'm not workin', I'll help out in whatever way I can," I offer.
"That's awesome, Charlotte. Thanks so much."
"Call me Charlie," I reply, liking Star already.
"OK,Charlie. So, what brings you to Happy Auras today?” she asks, walking around the counter to stand beside me.
"I was on my way to see my parents when I stumbled upon this place. The smell outside reminded me of a gypsy market I visited in Portugal," I explain.
Star's face lights up. "That's amazin'! Happy Auras has a way of invokin' nostalgia and tranquillity in people. It’s like steppin' into a realm of positive energy and self-discovery. That's what I always wanted, anyway." She falls quiet as she studies me for a moment. "Do you mind if I do a quick aura readin’ on you? The longer I spend with you, the more I feel like you need a little… guidance?”
I arch a brow. “Really? You can tell that?” Star nods. “OK. the last time I had it done was back at that market. There was this woman who was one hundred and one years old and she wouldn't let me go until she'd read my palm."
"Hmm. Well, don't tell me what she said but afterward, you can tell me whether she and I came to the same conclusions."
"Sounds good to me."
After grabbing a crystal hanging on a string from a display next to us, Star steps closer to me, holding the crystal in front of my head and moving it slowly down my body. She doesn't speak, she just hums, her gaze roaming over my hair and my face until she locks eyes with mine.
Then she takes a deep breath and reaches out to gently touch my arm. I feel a soft tingling sensation when her fingertipsglide over my skin and sense a shift in the air. It’s strange but soothing, which is confusing all in itself.
Star finally withdraws her hand and opens her eyes. There's a glimmer of excitement in her gaze as she starts to speak.
“Your aura is vibrant and radiant, shinin’ with inner strength and determination. I sense a deep well of compassion within you too–a desire to heal and nurture those around you."
I listen intently, captivated by her words. The memories of that old woman's reading come rushing back and I can't help but wonder if Star will reveal something similar.
"As I moved the crystal down your body," Star continues, "I sense a strong connection to your roots, a longin’ for home and the people you left behind. But there's also a sense of adventure and curiosity within you, a yearnin' for new experiences and growth."
Her words resonate deep within me, stirring up conflicting emotions. It's true—I've always felt torn between my hometown and the allure of the outside world. And now that I’m back, I can't help but question if I've made the right choices--not just now, but over the years since I've been away.
