Page 37 of Building What's Meant to Be

“I think they were the only members of my family who liked me.” She laughs lightly.

I’m not sure whether she’s joking or not. I try to catch a glimpse of her expression, but she looks at the row of shops next to the diner.

“As the future mayor, I should give you a tour of the town.”

“Seeing as I’m stuck here for the next thirty days, sure. I ought to know my way around.”

“I have a feeling you’ll like it.”

“I’m more the city type.”

“Dressed like that, yes. Do you have any luggage that we should get from your car before Henley takes it into the country for a joyride?”

She gasps.

“I’m kidding.”

“I thought this was the country. Does it get country-er than this?”

I tip my head back with laughter. “Tinsley, you ain’t seen nothing yet.”

When looking for property, I had several requirements. Most importantly, the ability to nestle the house in the center so there would never be a chance that I’d see neighbors. Also, my parentswill have a place on the property but out of my line of sight in case we get sick of each other.

After nearly two decades of experiencing the underbelly of the world, I’ve had enough people-ing. I can people on demand. That said, the requirements for the build-out of the house, were many to keep me entertained. He he.

I start my tour of Butterbury for Tinsley. “Next to the Starlight is the Designed to Last Boutique and above that is Designed to Last headquarters. The space used to be Flora & Fawn Flower Shoppe. Fawn was Louella Belle’s aunt. She raised her. From what I remember, she was a lovely woman.”

I can’t quite read Tinsley’s expression—wistful? Worried? Overwhelmed? All of the above.

“Here we have McIntyre’s. From spark plugs to drain plugs, they have it all. Next up is the Sweetheart Bakery & Café, and Above the Cut Barbershop. Down that way is Butterbury Bed & Breakfast, owned by none other than Camellia and Nash.”

“I saw their episode. They seem the same in real life as they are on film.”

“No fakers here,” I say then recall Taylor’s warning.

Tinsley opens and closes her mouth as if she wants to say something but holds back.

“On the other side of the Town Square is the library, town hall, Doughnut Dollies, Jack & Junie’s Jewelry, and Brick Bookstore.”

My office is above, but I leave that out.

“Butterbury also boasts several farms, including the Creamery with the best ice cream around. Plus, Bubba’s, of course. There is also Buck’s forge, Mulberry Grocery, Auntie’s Antiques, and the Little Red School House Nursery school. I’m probably forgetting a few businesses. Oh, and you can’t forget boating, fishing, and leisure on the River Coh.”

Tinsley stops and looks around. “Is there a hair salon?”

“There’s the barber shop.” I point.

She blinks slowly, and although I don’t think of her as fake, at least from what I’ve seen so far, I’m not entirely convinced she’ll survive in a small town with the faux eyelashes and hair extensions.

“Savannah is only thirty minutes away,” I offer.

She visibly relaxes. “For a moment there, I was worried that I’d look like a contestant on the survival show ‘Abandoned in the Boonies’ by the end of my thirty days of community service.”

The rumble inside rolls because I don’t want her to leave after thirty days.

Chapter Nine

TINSLEY

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