Page 44 of A Whisper of Summer Magic

Yup. Something was on Sarah’s mind, and they needed to talk about it. In focusing on creating the cute giveaway jars of jam for the open house, she’d been neglecting her coexecutor.

Chloe sniffled, wiped her eyes, and leaned into Sarah.

“I don’t want to inconvenience anyone.”

Meghan stared at Chloe—what an odd thing to say—even for a woman who’d said many odd things growing up.

“What an idea, Chloe. A wedding as an inconvenience. A wedding is a time of joy. A time to celebrate love and family,” Jessica said and rose up, hugged Chloe, and then hurried to help Storm—who had in Meghan’s opinion, exquisitely calculated timing—bring the tea and a selection of cookies.

“It’s my new evening brand tea, and yes, everyone will be trying it and commenting on the flavors—soothing, too bland, perfect pop or too much ginger. You’re welcome,” Jessica said firmly.

Chapter Nine

The next week,Meghan was too restless to sit still in the office and offered to do a coffee run. She was hoping that she could accidently on purpose run into Jackson. Instead, she bumped into local busybody Trina, who’d done her bless-your-heart best to make Jessica’s life a misery in middle school and high school.

“I heard you’re working local now with Elise at her family firm,” Trina said. “What a big comedown from a big-city firm, but it makes sense you moving back to Belmont to be close to your folks. Too bad you didn’t do it sooner when Grandma Millie was still alive, God rest her soul.” Trina made the sign of the cross and bowed her head. “You would have had more time with her instead of putting in so many long hours in the city and traveling so much.”

Meghan wondered if she’d be damned if she accidently on purpose spilled her latte on Trina’s Lilly Pulitzer dress. Jessica would know. She was the biggest churchgoer in the family. But that wouldn’t reflect well on Meghan, her family, or the Greggor firm so she held tight to the tray of four lattes.

“I’m sure the guilt must eat at you still, Meghan. You look like you’re not sleeping well.”

She’d never liked Trina or her older sister, Trudy, but she imagined herself as a duck and Trina’s barbs, delivered with a honey-sweet smile, as drops of rain slicking off her newly toned back since she’d been putting in more hours in the berry fields and helping Jessica in the garden and the nursery.

“I bought one of those silky lavender sachets to put over my eyes at night. They have really helped me fall asleep. Maybe Jessica could sell those in her nursery. She sure planted a lot of lavender up on that old farm,” Trina continued while Meghan held tight to her temper and potential ammunition. “Of all places for Jessica and you to settle.” Trina sighed. “But I sure hope it will be pretty when it’s in full bloom, eventually, if the plants take.”

Trina made it sound like planning and planting a botanical garden and running a nursery was a car crash to avoid.

“I hope you and your family have a chance to come up to see the new nursery,” Meghan tried and likely failed to keep the bite out of her smile. “I’m sure Jessica would love to see y’all again. I’ll be sure to mention your idea about the lavender and eye gels,” Meghan said firmly, angling her body toward the bakery counter, even though she initially wasn’t sure that she would buy any pastries.

But now she was stuck and ordered several scones—even though Jessica usually made a batch daily now that the nursery was open—cinnamon rolls, two almond croissants, and a bear claw—her favorite.

“Those are quite a few pastries.” Trina, a skinny mini since childhood, stared at the growing collection in the white bag. “I know Elise has never had to count a calorie, but I remember you’ve always been so careful. I thought you’d really be watching your weight since I heard you’ve been spending some time with Jackson Roberts. That boy has always tried to punch up. Such a riser as a teen, but he’s quite the hit with the ladies, especially on karaoke nights at the Goat Island Pub, bless his heart.”

Meghan breathed in through her nose and kept her mouth clamped shut. It was not in her nature to suffer barely dulled arrows, but Trina had done a lot of volunteering with Grandma Millie and had taken over the thrift store and guild that supported the local hospital since G. Millie’s passing, and Meghan didn’t want to tarnish G. Millie’s memory by being thin-skinned.

“I would have thought he was a little young and under-educated for you, but perhaps…”

Meghan didn’t know what unpleasant, pointed stick would come out of Trina’s mouth next, and she didn’t want to wait around to find out. She swiped her card, adding a huge tip.

“Always lovely to see you in top form, Trina.” Meghan slid her card in her wallet and picked up her bag of too many high-caloric pastries and tucked them on the tray between the coffees. “But Jackson is an amazing man in the prime of his life and I value—no, treasure—the time we’ve spent together. Have a good day now.”

You mean, nosy bitchhung in the air. She spun around only to see Jackson standing in the doorway, a rather shocked expression on his face that morphed to cocky amusement.

“Oh my,” Trina trilled, barely under her breath.

“Good morning, baby,” Jackson, in jeans and a too snug for her peace of mind navy Belmont Fire Department T-shirt, sauntered toward her, which was helpful as she couldn’t move. She couldn’t even breathe right.

“Anything in there for me?”

Meghan handed the entire high-caloric folly to him.

“Everything, honey,” she gushed hoping to throw him off whatever game he was playing. “Except the bear claw.”

“This bear claw?” He pulled it out smiling. “My favorite?”

“Mine too, and it was the last one left.”

“You are so sweet to share.” He leaned into her space, holding the bear claw out of reach while he kissed the corner of her mouth, lingering on her skin so that she caught a whiff of his woodsy, sunshine scent. He was also quite damp.

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