I owned a store in town called This and That. On Mondays and Wednesdays, I taught a cooking class, and on Tuesdays and Thursdays, I had Painting & Pinot. I provided the paints, canvases, and either pinot grigio or pinot noir wine.
I’d been an elementary art teacher when Travis died. While I enjoyed the job, I just couldn’t bring myself to go back after the accident. For a year I sat at home, depressed and lonely. It wasn’t until my mom kicked me in the butt and told me I needed to be a better role model for Brody that I finally came around.
I’d always been a great cook, and I enjoyed painting and art of all kinds. So when Mom told me to look inside myself and find my joy again, I naturally gravitated toward cooking and art.
Fate, luck, serendipity, or whatever you want to call it, had me standing in front of an abandoned building in downtown Trinity Falls one fall day three years ago. After touring the inside, I knew I had to have it. Using the last of Travis’ life insurance money, I bought the building, remodeled it to fit seven mini kitchens, and soon after opened my store.
It was a perfect fit for me. I worked evenings Monday through Thursday. Mainly because evenings were still the hardest for me, even after all this time.
“Okay,” Mimi said, bringing me back to the present, “if you win the bet, then we promise to never try and set you up again. Ever.”
“Promise?” I asked skeptically.
“Promise,” all four ladies responded together.
“Fine. I’ll do it.”
The girls let out a whoop. I watched Mimi’s hands carefully, making sure she didn’t palm a card.
“Since this is your lucky month,” Mimi said, “I’ll graciously let you go first.”
“How is it my lucky month?” I asked.
Mom chuckled. “Everyone knows April is the month for new love, dear.”
“One other quick question,” I said. “Do you already have the three men picked out if I lose?”
“Yep,” Mom said. “We’ve put serious thought into this.”
“Really?” My interest was piqued. “Who are they?”
“First things first.” Mimi pointed to the deck of cards spread out before me on the table. “Draw. You may actually draw a higher number than me and never know who your soulmate could have been.”
I scowled. I knew she was trying to psyche me out. I tucked a strand of blonde hair behind my ear. I’d recently cut it into a shoulder-length bob. It was easy to care for, and I was all for quick and efficient.
I reached out and flipped over a card. An eight of spades.
Not good, not bad.
“Before I forget to ask,” Mom said, “did you ever find anyone to rent out the cottage in your backyard?”
“Not yet.” I didn’t elaborate because I was still watching Mimi like a hawk.
Gilda snorted. “I’ve heard sometimes men answer those ads in papers under the guise of looking for a place to rent, but they’re really there to ravage the woman.”
I hadn’t been ravaged in more years than I could count. Not that I’d admit that to Mom and the girls. Some things were better off not said.
“I’d love for some guy to come to my house and ravage me,” Mimi said, still looking over the cards.
“Me, too,” Ingrid agreed.
“Just draw,” I said impatiently. “I want to go home.”
My cell phone dinged, letting me know I had a notification. I didn’t dare take my eyes off Mimi to answer it, though.
Finally Mimi reached out and ran her hands over the cards. She’d stop periodically over a card, and just when I thought she’d turn it over, she moved on.
“Pick!” I growled. “I have things to do.”
