Page 9 of Beneath Southern Stars

Laney’s laugh slows and she gasps for breath. To my surprise, a string of much quieter and less obnoxious giggles starts up. Both my attention and that of my potential stalker neighbor are drawn to Pepper. She has her little hand over her lips, a huge smile on her face as she giggles. My hand lifts to her curls, and I smile at her as she looks at me.

“Hi, Pepper. Welcome to One More Page. We have a children’s section right over here if you’d like to take a look.”

To my surprise, Pepper takes Laney’s offered hand and falls in step as she guides her a few feet away to a small nook that has a couple of sets of tables and chairs and a few fluffy covered bean bags. Everything is the right size for children, and I’m once again taken aback as my daughter begins wandering the shelves, touching the books like they are exotic jewels.

I startle when a hand grips my wrist and tugs me a step away. In a loud whisper, Laney says, “Did you seriously ask me if I followed you? In case you weren’t aware how things like that work, one would have to be in the locationbeforeme in order for me to follow. So no, Ryan with no manners, I did not follow you anywhere. Didyoufollowme?”

“Me?”

“Uh yeah. I was here,” she says waving her hand in the air, voice rising, “minding my business, enjoying the scent of new books and listening to the rustle of pages turning when youbarged in accusing me of... well I don’t know what, but I don’t like it.”

She has a valid point. And she’s kind of cute when she’s fired up like this. Flushed cheeks and arms crossed over her chest, Laney’s efforts at intimidation almost make me forget what we’re talking about. I suppose if you want to get technical, one could say I was following her. Only, why would I do that? She’s a stranger and slightly annoying.

“First, stop yelling at me, people are watching. Second, I was not following you. And what do you mean no manners?”

“You’ve been a little rude and honestly, not very neighborly. Now you’ve waltzed right in here like you’re something special and are accusing me of stalking.”

It is amazing how the words of a stranger can halt everything you’ve been thinking and put things in perspective. I feel like a fool and honestly, like an entitled asshole. I’ve been so worried about being recognized and worried that I’m in Magnolia Grove hitting the online blogs or social media, I never once stopped to think how I was behaving.

I exhale and shift on my feet. Embarrassed and with regret, I lift the corner of my mouth to small grin. “You’re right. I apologize for accusing you of anything and I suppose I have been a little rude. It’s been a difficult year for us and while that’s no excuse for my behavior, it is a contributing factor.”

“Contributing? There are other reasons you’ve been less than friendly?” Before I can respond she laughs. “I’m kidding. Apology accepted. Now, it looks like someone seems to have started a stack of books you’ll be purchasing. Do you need help carrying them to the counter?”

My eyes follow her nod and find Pepper lounging on one of the fluffy bean bag chairs, a book in her lap, bunny nestled next to her, and a pile of books beside the chair. Looks like we’re turning this quick trip for ice cream into a shopping excursion.

Laney is kind enough to gather the books from the pile and start toward the counter. “Feel free to look around yourself. Not sure what you like but you’ll find mysteries and thrillers on the south wall, nutrition and self-help in the center display, and non-fiction over on the far end of the store. Pepper, would you like to help me with these?”

Once again shocking me, my daughter nods her head and pops out of the chair. She follows dutifully while Laney chatters away in a one-sided conversation. It isn’t lost on me that our neighbor again hasn’t questioned Pepper’s silence. I’m not much of a reader but it wouldn’t hurt to maybe pick up a book or two.

While my girl sits on the counter with the scanning gun in her hand and fully immersed in her task, I traverse the shelves. Nothing catches my attention right away, but I find a spy thriller by an author my dad likes then move to the self-help section. I have a list of titles our therapist suggested for dealing with grief and might as well start while we’re here.

I stop and read a flyer posted on a pillar. Looks like Magnolia Grove goes all out for the Christmas season. The Holly Jolly Jubilee sounds like two weeks of absolute chaos and something that Pepper will absolutely love. I may need some pain meds for a headache all of the socializing will probably give me, but she’ll be enthralled with all of the holly and jolly.

“Are you having fun, kiddo?” I set the books on the counter and Laney eyes the thriller and nods in approval. When she scans the cover of the other book, she lifts her eyes, compassion and questions swirling in her eyes.

“Pepper, come on over here while Laney finishes up.” I lift her off the counter and set her feet on the ground.

An awkward silence falls between us. I’m not sure if I prefer this or the bantering we were doing earlier. It’s better than making an ass of myself but now I feel like I should explain thegrief book. Not that I owe this woman the story but maybe it won’t make things uncomfortable.

“Well, you two. It was great seeing you twice in one day. Thanks for supporting small businesses. I stuck the receipt and a flyer about the Magnolia Grove Holly Jolly Jubilee in the bag. The Jubilee is kind of a big deal around here. Not sure how long you plan on being in town, but we kick off the fun this weekend.”

“Uh, yeah, Connie mentioned something this morning. Thanks. We appreciate your help. Again, I’m sorry for earlier.”

“It’s water under the bridge. I guess I’ll see you across the driveway.”

Nodding, I turn and grab Pepper’s hand. Like she’s done all day, my daughter shocks the hell out of me, and I almost burst into tears.

“Bye.” Her sweet voice is just above a whisper, but Laney hears it and must recognize the importance of this moment. If I’m not mistaken, her eyes are a little teary.

Chapter Seven

Laney

Oh my heart.I don’t know that I’ve ever heard such a sweet voice. There’s something about Pepper that reminds me of myself at a young age. Maybe it’s the glasses or because she seems to be more of an observer than a joiner, but I felt an instant kinship with her the other day on the porch. Besides, Steve’s a great judge of character and he fell in love instantly.

“Who was that? He’s a handsome one.”

I’d like to say I am not easily scared. In general, that’s true. Just not today. It’s also a shame that my screech is so loud that a small child begins crying. Hand to my chest, I close my eyes and exhale.

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