“I approve of this conversation.Please proceed,” she says, in a tone making her sound like some kind of royal.
“She’s not taking the bait,” Leighton tells her.
“Damn, sounds like we need to up the ante.What did you offer her?”
“Come on now,” Baylor says.“I’m happy here.I love my life in New York.I miss the three of you and Grandma Ruby like a limb, but this is where I am.I’ve got Todd, and we’re building a life together.The three of you should try it.Meeting a man, maybe knocking off the coochie cobwebs,” she says, and I gasp.
“Baylor Grace Moran!”I scold.Her hysterical laughter brings a smile to our faces.I glance around the room to make sure no guests have wandered in.
“Come on, Ellie, how long has it been?”she asks.
“We are not talking about this.Guests could hear.”
“Fine, but we will talk about this,” she promises.
“Don’t you have numbers to multiply or something?”I fire back, only for all three of them to cackle with laughter.
I love my sisters.
“I do need to get back to work.I’ll talk to you all soon,” she says.We all say our goodbyes, and Leighton ends the call.
“Is she good?”Courtlynn asks.
“She’s fine, but Ellie won’t be unless she orders a new chair,” Leighton replies, giving me a pointed look.
“I’m going,” I tell her as I stand, taking my apple core, napkin, and the rest of my sweet tea with me.“I’m doing it now,” I say, walking off.Stopping in the kitchen, I toss my trash and continue to my office, which is in the very back of the inn.
As soon as I enter, my eyes lock on the chair.Even after all these years, tears well in my eyes.It’s been nine years since we lost them, and the ache of that loss still sits heavily on my chest.
I know that I need to keep pushing forward each day, running this place as they wanted me to.My parents wanted all four of us girls to work here at Magnolia Manor, or Magnolia Estates, as we like to call the entire grounds.I know they’d be happy for Baylor, but they’d wish she were here, too, just like we do.
Sitting down in the chair, I rub my hands over the arms.The worn leather is aged.It’s possible that Grandpa Dean used this chair; it’s so old.I’d ask him, but I’m sure that would lead to a long story about how things aren’t made like they used to be.Just thinking about Grandpa Dean’s stories puts a smile on my face.
Pulling up the web browser, I get to work searching for a chair.I lose myself in reviews, lumbar support, and ergonomics.If I thought my eyes were crossed before, I’m really done now.With a sigh, I close out the browser without purchasing a new chair, just as a knock comes at my office door.
Looking up, I find my best friend, Bowen, standing there with a sexy smile.Yes, we’re just friends, and yes, I think he’s sexy.It’s a thing, I promise.Bowen is three years older than me and was once best friends with my ex, until he wasn’t.He was there for me through the loss of my relationship, and we’ve been thick as thieves ever since.He and his two other close friends, all of whom were best friends with my ex, stepped up for me in a big way, and when we lost our parents, all three of them were there, letting the Moran sisters cry on their shoulders and helping us pick up the broken pieces, day after day.
“What are you doing here?”I ask Bowen as he steps into my office.
“Can I not stop by and visit my best friend?”he asks, smirking as he takes a seat in the chair across from my desk and propping his long jeans-covered legs and dusty boots up on the corner.
“Don’t you have a bar to run?”I ask, twisting in my chair.
“I have people for that,” he tells me.
“Oh,I have people for that,” I mock.“Maybe I should call your people, and they can do the books for me,” I grumble.
“Bad day?”
“Just hump day.You know how it is.”I shrug.
“Sounds like you could use a break.”
“I took one earlier with my sisters.We ended up calling Baylor and had a nice little chat, even if they did give me a hard time.”
“About what?”
“This old thing.”I tap the arms of the chair.“It’s worn out, and my back has been killing me.I’ve been holding off because it was Dad’s, and the thought of letting it go… Yeah, I need a new chair,” I tell him.
