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“Why not?”

“Because you have a closet full of beautiful clothes.”

“Those clothes don’t feel like me anymore.”

Her sister sighed. “Yeah, that’s what I thought you were going to say.”

She looked at the bread, noticing how the honey wasn’t dripping over the crust. Her plate should have been messy, with pooling honey and breadcrumbs sprinkled across the blue ceramic. But it remained perfectly clean. She smiled and lifted the slice. “Want a taste?”

Sophie strolled over and took a bite. She remained deep in thought as she chewed then swallowed. “I think it’s time for a makeover.”

Alana sighed. “I don’t really have the money for a makeover.”

Sophie frowned, her lips pursing. A split second later, her face lit up. She stood with a big smile. “You don’t, but I do.”

She aggressively shook her head. “Absolutely not. You will not be paying for me.”

“Why not?”

“Because I will not take your hard-earned money.” She continued shaking her head. “And even if I did, I’m not sure when I’d be able to pay you back.”

“I don’t want you to pay me back, it’s a gift!”

“Bean, no. I can’t.”

“But why not?” She pouted and crouched down, then crawled over on her knees, placing her elbows on Alana’s thighs. “Please. Let me help you. I need to do…something.”

Alana bit the inside of her cheek. She understood that feeling, especially when there was currently so much out of their control. They would try to save the vineyard, but there was no guarantee that a true fix was possible. A few new pieces of clothing, however…That was an easy problem to solve. Even if it wasn’t really about the clothes, Alana knew giving Sophie the opportunity to fix something would put her at ease.

So she swallowed her pride and nodded. “Fine. If I can’t pay you, then what can I do in return?”

“Hmmm.” Sophie scanned Alana’s room. When she landed on Alana’s desk, her heart-shaped face brightened all over again. She marched right to it, picking up Alana’s bag of loose tobacco and rolling papers. She pinched them and walked over to Alana’s trash bin, then with a dramatic thwack, she threw them out.

Sophie’s left brow raised.

Alana scratched her neck.

“Any questions?” Sophie asked.

She shook her head, her hand squeezing the handle of her coffee mug so tight her knuckles went white. She took a slow sip. “None.”

Her sister bounced. “Good. We leave in fifteen.”

Downtown Brent had not changed much. Despite the fact that the beloved Donut Hole closed, most of the small businesses were still up and running. Connie’s wildflower and coffee shop, the small movie theater with the crumbling awning, and the wine shop that only sold local wares. But there were also some new additions, like Trent’s sourdough bakery and a new tavern that was connected to White Tail Brewing, which was where they decided to stop for lunch. The two of them sat outside on the patio. Alana sipped on a strawberry saison while Sophie enjoyed a Diet Coke, a big smile on her face.

Sophie dunked a chicken tender in a sweet and spicy sauce. “That was quite the successful morning.”

Alana peered into the brown shopping bags at her feet. After donating at least 90 percent of what was in her closet, they used the credit to find some new items. Thankfully Sophie did not have to pay much, but Alana stayed determined to keep up with her promise. She knew she needed to quit smoking, and she hoped this would be motivating. Even though the itch for a cigarette was slowly consuming her.

She tapped her heel in an unsteady rhythm. “You don’t think the ten shirts and six dresses we bought are overkill?”

Sophie laughed. “Lana, you need clothes!”

“Yes, but…that many?”

She crossed her arms. “Why? Are you scared it will be too much to have to pack in your duffel bag?”

“Ouch, harsh.”