Page 52 of A Touch of Spring Magic

Today, she also hoped to share her brainstorm for another garden viewing area with her sisters because they were all crafty, though Sarah no longer seemed to make time to let her inner artist loose. Jessica thought it would be a beautiful space for Chloe and Rustin’s engagement pictures, and perhaps later other locals would stroll and memorialize a magical personal moment.

“Thank you,” she surprised herself by speaking out loud, and interrupting the humorous moment. When they all turned to look at her, Jessica felt vulnerable. “Thank you for being my sisters.” She stared at Chloe and then looked at Meghan and then Sarah. “For believing in my dream, for supporting me, for sharing this wonderful legacy farmhouse and acreage with me, for coming to help this weekend for a work party. And Chloe for trusting me with your special moment. Preparing for the party has really kicked my behind in gear. And thank you, everyone, for forcing Storm on me. He’s been invaluable.”

Her thank-you list mentally continued to scroll down, overwhelming her with gratitude, but Chloe had dashed over to sit beside her, nearly in her lap to hug her and lay her head on her shoulder.

“You are such a loving sister.”

With a mouthful of Chloe’s curls, Jessica couldn’t have spoken if she’d wanted, but she was trying to stem the emotional tide.

Meghan took over and plated the pancakes, putting two on everyone’s plate.

“Let’s eat and gossip and then get to work,” Meghan said, dishing out the homemade fruit compote she’d made onto her pancakes before adding a squirt of whipped cream. She handed the compote to Chloe. “Let her breathe, monkey.”

“So Storm’s working out,” Meghan stated with a definite smirk. “Double entendre intended.”

“Have you seen Storm without his shirt? He and Rustin have been remodeling the upstairs apartments at night and let me tell you—” Chloe fanned herself “—it gets hot on the upper level, even with the heat off. Those boys—Lucas is up there too working up a sweat—when they tug off their shirts, I feel like I should perve out and take pics and video and post both as a gift to women but also promo for the Wild Side. Hey.” Chloe grinned and bounced next to Jessica. “I too made an intended double entendre.”

“Stop bragging.” Meghan balled up a tea towel and tossed it at Chloe’s head. Jessica caught it.

“Not as hot as Rustin of course,” Chloe said loyally as she stuffed a bite of pancake into her mouth. She dropped her fork and spread the fingers of both hands wide a couple of times.

“I can’t tell if that’s jazz hands, Clo, or if you just gave Storm a twenty?” Meghan teased.

Jessica smiled, loving all the energy in the room despite the early hour. They needed to get together more often, especially now that they were all closer. Jessica looked at Meghan speculatively as Sarah dished out the scrambled eggs. What would it take to persuade Meghan to also rent out her condo and move back to Belmont? She could save money for a passion project, if she had one. And because she often traveled for work—sometimes for weeks at a time—not spending money on her own place would make sense.

“Twenty is modest.” Chloe grinned, looking so much like she had as a kid for a moment that Jessica felt a prick of tears, for those days, and yet the future looked brighter than ever for her and for Chloe. Now if only Sarah could find love again… She couldn’t help the way her gaze strayed to the kitchen counter where the book leaned up against the large bay window that looked out over the garden. It appeared that the rustic fairy was touching the book from this angle.

“The monkey’s getting married,” Sarah said softly, finally joining them. Jessica looked at Chloe, awed at how fast she’d grown up.

“Hard to believe, I know. I keep thinking Rustin’s going to snap out of it, but so far he’s still under the spell I cast.” She laughed as if she’d just said something hilarious. “Who’s next?” Chloe took a large bite of eggs and stared hard at Jessica.

“Don’t look at me,” she said quickly.

“Too late,” Chloe sassed with a wide grin.

“And stop bringing the book around—” Jessica waved her fork at her youngest sister “—or pulling it out of the cupboard or junk drawer. You even have Storm taunting me now.”

Chloe stared at her open-mouthed, and then her expression turned uncannily gleeful.

“We really need to pick our recipes for party appetizers from the book today. Maybe if you all choose one or two and prepare and cook it on your ownexactly,” she sang out waving her fork around with a bite of pancake dripping whipped cream, “some hottie at the party will fall madly in love with you. It’s obvious the book is primed for action.”

“I don’t want some random man falling in love with me,” Jessica claimed. “I’m finally building my life the way I want it.”

“I had my grand love, so no thanks,” Sarah said.

Meghan stared hard at Sarah, and Jessica was relieved that she, for once, wasn’t under Meg’s microscope.

“I’m busy,” Jessica added for emphasis.

“Me too.”

“Me too.” Both Meghan and Sarah spoke at the same time.

Chloe pointed her fork at them and then speared another bite of pancake.

“Like I wasn’t busy,” Chloe made air quotes. “Teaching a full load of high school English and drama. Two choirs. Private voice students. Then the Movable Feast and bam.” She clapped her hands together. “It happens when it happens. Magic. Poof.” She jumped up, wiggled her fingers and waved them over her head and spun around like she was casting a spell.

Then Chloe retrieved the book where it was propped next to the fairy in the window. “Sisters—” Chloe grinned like a maniac “—prepare to be love-bit,” Chloe said. With a finger she traced the wings of the fairy. “Sweet. Not your style I would have said, but she has a certain…knowingness that is appealing,” Chloe mused.

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