She laughs. “Really? That’s not what I expected.”
Sobering up, I press my lips into a straight line. “Remember this, Magnolia Grace. It’s never the people you expect.”
As the silence surrounds us, I bury my face in her neck, and fall asleep with her in my arms.
Chapter 18
Magnolia
For the past two weeks, I’ve been staying at Levi’s. Surprisingly, no one has mentioned a word when they come out to pick up their orders. A few people have looked at me with their eyebrows raised, questions written across their faces, but no one has said anything.
Most everyone in town knows what’s going on between me and Cody, but I’m pleasantly surprised that they aren’t trying to make it their business.
I’m packing up my SUV to go and do my pop up at The Café. It’s snuck up on me quicker than I thought it would, but it’s nice fixing my hair, putting on makeup, and wearing clothes that aren’t sweats. Levi and Dakota have gone to work, which I’ve learned means they’re going to meet with the people they are investigating.
So I might not get to see him, but I still want to look cute in case I do.
The drive into Laurel Springs feels longer than it actually is, and part of that is because I’ve been slightly scared to go back into town. I’ve worried about seeing Cody again, but I also recognize I’ve got to believe in myself. That I can handle this, and when I park in front of The Café, I take a deep breath, then smile as Leigh comes out.
“Hey Magnolia.” She waves with a smile back at me. “I’m excited you’re here. I’ve had the social media people posting about it all week, and I saw where you were posting about it, too. I think you’ll have a good turnout.”
God I hope so, I have bills to pay. Right after this I have to go meet my attorney, Shelby. “Thank you for helping to promote, I appreciate it.”
“It’s no problem. You know I like to do whatever I can for the community. I think it’ll do well for both of us. Do you need help bringing stuff in? Keegan’s here today.” She mentions Ransom’s son.
“That would be great, actually.” I pop the back hatch of my SUV, and within minutes Keegan comes running out. He looks so much like Ransom, I have to do a double-take.
“Hey Miss Magnolia,” Keegan greets me with an easy smile. “Let me get those for you.”
Between the three of us, we make quick work of unloading everything. Keegan’s stronger than he looks, carrying in the heavier boxes like they weigh nothing. Within twenty minutes, I’ve got my table set up near the front window, my branded tablecloth in place, and all my treats arranged in a way that makes them look almost too pretty to eat.
“This looks amazing,” Leigh says, standing back to admire the setup.
The lunch rush starts almost immediately, and I’m grateful for the distraction. The reminder that life goes on when mine feels like it’s falling apart.
My first customer is a woman I recognize from high school, and she buys three packages of chocolate-covered pretzels. Then a steady stream of people come by, each one complimenting my work, asking about flavors, telling me they’ve been following me on social media.
I’m in the middle of explaining my process for tempering chocolate when I see Karina, Levi’s grandmother, making her way toward my table. My heart does a little flip, and I have to force myself not to reach up and touch my neck where I’ve carefully concealed the hickey Levi left yesterday.
“Magnolia,” she says warmly, her eyes crinkling at the corners the way Levi’s do when he smiles. “Everything looks wonderful.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Harrison.” I gesture to the display. “What can I get for you?”
“Oh, call me Karina, honey. You’ve known this family long enough.” She studies the options, then points to my specialty holiday boxes. “I’ll take two of these. Mason has such a sweet tooth, and I know Ruby will love one, too.”
Ruby. Levi’s mom. My stomach does another nervous flip as I package up her order, hyperaware of every movement, every word. Does she know? Can she tell just by looking at me that I’ve been sleeping in Levi’s bed? That his hands have been all over me, that I can’t stop thinking about the way he whispers my full name against my skin?
“How are you doing, sweetheart?” Karina asks, and there’s genuine concern in her voice. “I heard things have been difficult.”
“I’m managing,” I say, my voice steadier than I feel. “Taking it one day at a time.”
“That’s all any of us can do.” She pats my hand, and the kindness in the gesture almost makes me cry. “You know this family is here for you if you need anything.”
Before I can respond, Ruby Harrison appears behind her mother-in-law, and I swear to God my heart stops beating. She’s beautiful in that way that some women have that appears effortless. Her dark hair is pulled back, showing off where Molly gets her features from. She’s wearing jeans and a simple sweater, looking more put together than I feel on my best day.
“Magnolia!” She comes around to give me a quick hug, and I pray she can’t feel how fast my pulse is racing. “I just saw on social media that you were going to be here. Everything looks incredible.”
“Thank you,” I manage, trying to keep my voice normal. “What can I get you?”
