Page 43 of A Whisper of Summer Magic

“No need to leave, Brent,” Sarah said. She always called him by his given name rather than his high school nickname, probably because she’d graduated a couple of years before he’d been a standout freshman athlete. “This isn’t top-secret family business. In fact”—she shot Meghan a look—“I’m surprised Jackson didn’t stay. He was here all day helping in various ways.”

“I invited him for dinner,” Jessica said defensively. “Twice. I was surprised that he left.”

Meghan was spotlighted. He’d been avoiding her, and instead of figuring out what had happened, she’d sulked—real mature. She’d waited for him to join her in the shop, help her restock, just as he’d sought her out continuously over the past few weeks.

“He probably had a date or something,” she said casually.

Jessica’s loud scoff revealed her opinion. Sarah eyed her thoughtfully.

“Let’s get back to what we should do with G. Millie’s house.” Meghan was desperate to change the subject. “Does anyone have thoughts about what we should do yet?”

“It’s too soon.” Chloe’s voice ached with tears.

“I didn’t mean make any decisions,” Meghan scrambled to clarify. “But just to start the”—she rolled her hands—“conversation.”

“Storm, I’ll help you with tea.” Jessica scrambled to her feet.

“I got it, babe. Stay with your sisters.” He ran his fingers along her cheek, cupped her chin and kissed her lightly before striding toward the screened-in back porch where Jessica kept a second supply of the makings for tea and coffee and cookies.

Great. I’ve upset everyone.

Chloe stared at the fire. They were all quiet for a moment, likely trying to figure out how to start or delay the awkward conversations that eventually needed to happen.

“When I was a little girl, I’d always imagined moving back there once I became a pediatrician, marrying in the garden, raising my family there, but in my dreams, Grandma Millie was always there. My sisters were always there. But now you’re… here.”

“You don’t have to live in the house alone, Sarah,” Jessica said. “You know there’s always a room for you here. I just thought with your long hours you’d want to be closer to town.”

“No. I like living in town. I hated the apartment and had been thinking about looking for a small house or seeing if Grandma Millie wanted some company since Chloe had plans to marry and move in with Rustin.”

They were all quiet for a moment.

“And when I am in the house, I have time to sort her paperwork, organize it, and make a list of what emails and documents I need to send or phone calls to make.”

“I’m coming over Monday after work to help with that,” Meghan reminded her.

“That’s good,” Sarah said. “There are a few questions I have, and Jackson asked me something I didn’t have an answer to.”

“What?” Meghan’s antennae pinged, but it was so subtle, she knew Sarah wasn’t ready to talk about it in front of everyone, which only increased her curiosity and worry.

“Speaking of you and Rustin,” Meghan said casually, hoping to derail Chloe, who clearly had picked up on Sarah’s discomfort. “Have you two lovebirds set a date?”

“This summer,” Chloe said. “We want something casual, small, not expensive.”

“Do you want to have your wedding in the garden—maybe in the olive grove now that it’s done?” Jessica asked. “Storm and I installed the awnings to provide shade until the trees grow bigger, but I might keep them as I love the pop of red with the silvery green trees and the Carolina blue sky. Sage green awnings would be pretty too.” Jessica thought for a moment. “Or somewhere else—by the koi pond, the small courtyard near the maze delineated by the living walls or near the aisle of water—that would be so you—to run toward Rustin through an arch or water—we’ll have to get you some waterproof mascara.”

Meghan could tell Jessica was trying to cheer Chloe up, since she was devastated that G. Millie couldn’t be there for her big day.

“I’ll be even more organized this time so we can make as big or small a splash as you want, and it will be unique—different from the party.”

Jessica had always been able to visualize and flesh out an idea. Meghan practically expected her to pull out a tablet, show Chloe her options and reserve a date.

“But now you have your business. That would be inconvenient.” Chloe nibbled on her thumbnail. “You’d have to close to customers.”

“If I’m at your wedding, I can hardly be selling plants,” Jessica scoffed. “You’re family, Chloe. Besides, all of you are already trying to push me into the event business. What’s more garden party than a wedding?”

“Grandma Millie always wanted us to marry in her home,” Chloe said, eyes tearing up, “but she’s not here for any of us anymore.”

“She’s here in spirit,” Sarah said rising up to sit beside Chloe on the love seat and wrap her arm around Chloe’s narrow shoulders. “Pick the venue you and Rustin want—the house, the farm and gardens, the Wild Side, the beach—we can rent a big house. The mountains. The point is, Chloe, you have choices. We all do, but we don’t need to make them right now.” She shot Meghan a look.

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