Page 24 of Handling Skylar
It was a no brainer, even if I had to pussyfoot around Anna Kate. She was a non-issue as far as I was concerned. She wouldn’t be kind to either me or Jake. I knew it. No matter how easy Jake let her down, she was going to mess with me. I wanted to shout at her to bring it on.
Thisshop cowgirl could take whatever that Southern Belle wanted to dish out.
I headed to the kitchen, fully prepared to work on creating some fun luxury bath melts filled with gorgeous essential oils. The three I had in mind were Bayou Sunset with lavender, chamomile and mandarin oils for stress relief, Kayak Dreams with coconut oil, patchouli and vetiver oil for inducing sleep, and Va-Va-Voom Vermilion for a sexual pick me up with sandalwood, a powerful aphrodisiac, rose, linked with the romance-oriented heart chakra and ylang ylang oil to elevate sexual energy. But I spied my container of Hope Parish pecans on my countertop and suddenly it was all about molasses cookies.
I opened the container and a wave mixed with memory and grief washed over me. I gritted my teeth against a surge of tears. I missed my mom and dad, but this time of year, going into the fall, it was even more acute. The cookie baking and the holidays always brought back the grief that had faded some, but was always a constant in my life. The fact that we lost Michael the year before at about the same time was also heart wrenching to me.
I’d come to Suttontowne to start new, but in the deepest part of my heart, I wanted a family again to share these moments. I wanted it more than I could even say. I had so taken it all for granted.
Immersed in the memory of baking with my mom, I got all the ingredients I would need and set to whipping up a batch. Before the first dozen were barely out of the oven, I was tossing the cookie back and forth to cool it before taking a big bite just as I heard a car pull up outside.
Savoring the delicious, melting taste of molasses, brown sugar and the pecans, I headed to the front and peeked out the window. River Pearl and Verity Outlaw were getting out of River’s sleek Mercedes. As they walked to my porch with determined strides, I felt like I was about to be double-teamed.
I opened the door as they set their sandaled feet on the worn boards. “Hey there,” I said with a smile, pushing open the screen door. “What do I owe this surprise visit from two of my most favorite customers. You do realize that I don’t cut hair on Mondays.”
River gave me a wide smile and breathed deep. “What is that heavenly scent?”
“Molasses cookies. My mom’s recipe.”
“You’re indulging in cookies first thing in the morning? My kind of gal. Let’s get some tea going. We’ll have a tea party,” Verity said.
“I have just the thing, chai. I even have some almond milk to blend.” I headed toward the kitchen and said, “Make yourselves at home.”
I brewed the tea and heated the almond milk. Setting everything on a tray, I headed back to my cozy living room.
As I came into the room, the conversation between River and Verity ceased which made me even more suspicious. I debated about telling them what had happened with Jake, but decided to wait to see what it was they wanted to talk to me about.
“I love your house. It’s so you with the western artwork, the pillows whispering “cottage”; the layered rugs so bohemian, and the simple, linen-y sofa reminds me of both Shabby Chic and farmhouse. It’s strikingly personal, interesting and storied.”
“Agreed,” Verity said. “It smells heavenly in here regardless of the molasses cookie scent. A mixture of floral and citrus and other yummy scents I can’t place.”
“Oh, that’s from my beauty products. I’m contemplating doing a line for the shop, maybe even an online business.”
“Smart idea. You’re always so clever,” River said.
“Okay, cut the bull and the chit chat, ladies. What’s up?”
River smiled and glanced at Verity. “I told you she would know something was up.”
“Something is up?” I asked.
River set down the cup and leaned forward, looking fresh and breezy in a flowered dress, a hot pink sweater, complementing the hot pink in the flouncy dress. She looked more like an ingénue than she did a mom. “We want you to apply to the Suttontowne Belles.”
I went stock still and stared at them, the bomb of River’s words exploding over and over again. “Are you both out of your mind?” I rasped out, my voice strident. “Join the Belles? First off, I’m not exactly high-society stock, second I wouldn’t fit in, third, Anna Kate hates my guts, and fourth, I left my parasol and lace gloves back home in my saddle bags. What? You can’t be serious.”
River looked completely nonplussed and fully in control. She smiled softly. “Let’s deal with those compelling arguments. One, the Belles are for everyone who wants to make a difference in Suttontowne. We don’t discriminate. Second, you’d totally fit in because you have amazing ideas, third, you let me worry about Anna Kate. She wouldn’t dare go against me and my momma, who loves you, by the way. And, we’ll get you a new parasol and lace gloves. I have tons. I’ll even throw in a tiara. ”
Verity giggled and I couldn’t help but laugh myself. “Joining would get Anna Kate’s goat,” she added with a smirk. The Pecan Festival was your idea. You should be part of the group that’s going to organize the festivities.”
“Balls and Queen Pecan? You think I could do that stuff.”
“Of course,” River said. “You can. You can do anything you set your mind to, and you’ve built a business far away from home all on your own. We’ll help, too. I think it’s the perfect foil for Anna Kate, and it will get you involved and much closer to Jake.”
“I don’t think I need Belle trappings to get closer to Jake. In fact, we’re already there.”
River’s face brightened, her eyes widening. She looked over at Verity, and they both squealed. “Tell us all the details and don’t leave out one thing.”
After I gave them a brief version of the last week, River sighed. “I so didn’t want that woman in our family. I’m so glad Jake has come to his senses.”
