Page 51 of Love Among Vines

“Jade? What happened to you?” A warm presence settled next to her.

Jade and Penny had briefly fallen asleep beneath the awning of the café. The inky darkness of night was receding, replaced by a deep purple with pink edges.

Margie stared back at her, concern in her eyes.

Jade sat up and smoothed her hair back. “Sorry, I just wanted to make sure I was here on time.”

It was mostly true.

“Come inside,” Margie ordered.

“Oh, I have Penny with me. Rett is supposed to?—”

A full-body shiver shook her. Her clothes were still soaked, and the wind cut straight through them.

“Never mind that, she can stay in the back until he gets here.”

Keys jingled as Margie unlocked the bright yellow door, and Jade climbed to her feet. Okay, her wrist was definitely swollen. But everything was probably fine. She could paint through the pain.

Margie ushered her inside. She whipped a blanket off a couch by the window and wrapped it around Jade.

“Oh, I don’t want to make it?—”

“Sweetheart,” Margie interrupted. “Where were you last night?”

Jade hesitated. Something in those deep brown eyes compelled her to tell the truth. “I was…camping.”

Margie raised her eyebrows. “Have you ever camped before?”

“Well, no.”

Margie shook her head. “Why didn’t you stay with Rett? Or at a hotel?”

Jade’s shoulders slumped. Maybe it was best to be honest. She explained the entire situation minus her agreement with Rett.

Margie crossed her arms and looked sternly at Jade. “That settles it. You’re staying in my guest house.”

“Oh, I couldn’t.”

“Nonsense. I will not have one of my contracted employees falling out of trees and walking six miles in the rain. Consider housing part of our contract.” She swept her gaze over Jade from top to bottom. “And food while you’re here working. You look like you need a hot meal.”

Jade bit her lip. She hadn’t expected such an outpouring of kindness. If she had fallen asleep under an awning in New York, the business owner probably would have chased her off with a broom. But Margie had opened her home to her without hesitation. She was either insane or incredibly kind.

“I have a bike you can borrow too. Sit,” Margie said. She pointed to a table.

Jade obeyed without comment. Some of the paintings had come off the wall, and Margie had cleared a space. Her stomach twisted. Would she be able to create something to fill that space? What would Margie even want?

The heavenly scent of coffee spiced the air. A minute later, a steaming mug landed in front of Jade.

“Let’s chat about the mural before everyone gets here.” Margie took the seat across from her.

“Of course.” Jade sat up straight and grasped the mug between her hands. Pain shot through her wrist, and it was definitely swollen now that she could see it clearly. Shit. Maybe she could paint with her non-dominant hand?

“I would love an encapsulation of the town,” Margie said. She put her hands in the air like she could see it already.

Jade froze. What the hell did that mean?

“Hammondsport is such a unique place. The people are so kind, the history so rich.”

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