Page 7 of Quintessentially

Chloe tilts her head. “They never knew?”

My head shakes. “I asked Ruth not to tell them.” My thoughts go to the best and worst thing that ever happened to me. “I never knew them well. They didn’t visit much. I didn’t think blindsiding them at Ruth’s funeral was a good idea.”

That last night I saw Dax, the two of us stole away to Mr. Gordon’s barn. It was the night of John’s funeral. While our night together wasn’t planned, it also wasn’t impulsive or rushed. It was a connection, one I thought we both shared.

Dax was my first, and he said I was his. We’d been smart and used a condom, the first time. That night in the barn wasn’t our first time.

Six years later, I am no closer to knowing if anything he said that night was true. I only know that according to Mr. Murphy, Dax is coming to town, and seeing as I’m required to be present for the stipulations Ruth set to allow me to buy the store, I won’t be able to avoid him.

That’s fine.

He can come, sign his name, and leave.

Daxton Richards owes me nothing.

Years ago, I only asked one thing of him: for him to come back to Riverbend.

He couldn’t do that then.

I don’t need him now.

I shake my head as I smile at my friend. “Thank you again for your help.”

She brushes the dust from her workout clothes. “I need to run. I have a client at nine.” Her expression turns serious. “You know, I’m always happy to help you. So are Mom, Linda, and your mom. It’s been a few months since Ruth passed. When are you going to hire some help? Business hasn’t slowed. If anything it’s increased. And if you open the online store, you’ll be swamped. You can’t keep up this pace.”

My lips curl in a feigned grin. “I can.”

“Yeah, girl, you’re superwoman. I get that. But seriously...”

“Seriously,” I jump in, “I need to know that Quintessential Treasures is mine before I make any hires or big changes. I’ve talked with Mr. Murphy, and he says that as long as the executor is in charge of John and Ruth’s estate, I’m legally only an employee.” I shiver at a concern I’ve fostered since learning the identity of the executor.

“What are you thinking, Kandi?”

“What if Dax goes against the will? What if he fires me?”

“Can he do that?”

“I don’t know. This is my livelihood.” I take a deep breath. “You know that I’ve been thinking about fixing the old office space upstairs into an apartment for Molly and me. I mean the farm is great, but I think we should move away from my parents.”

Chloe nods.

“Living upstairs is my idea, not Mom’s or Dad’s. They’ve been great, but once I own the store, I can make a home for us.” I smile a sad smile. “Ruth wanted this for Molly and me.”

“He can’t fire you,” Chloe assures me. “This is your store.”

“Not until he signs the paper.”

“Mick was telling me about your plans upstairs. It’s been a long time, but I’d love to go up there and see for myself. Maybe I can help too.”

Mick is Chloe’s fiancé and a local building contractor.

“I’d love that.”

A jingle from the back room catches our attention. Chloe and I both turn toward the back of the store. Before we can make it to the doorway, my legs are surrounded by small arms, and Joyce from the diner two doors down is grinning our way, holding Molly’s book bag.

“Thank you, Joyce,” I say as I crouch down to Molly’s height, staring into her bright golden eyes, the color of her father’s. “Did you have a good breakfast?”

My daughter nods, her auburn pigtails bouncing. “Joyce let me have pancakes.”

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