Beth’s drink sounded interesting. “I’ll try anything once. Does Chai have caffeine?” she asked.
Norman nodded. “Enough to perk you up, missy.” Kendall laughed. “Then a Chai Tea for me and a large O.J. for Hannah.”
“Two Chais and two O.J.s,” Norman repeated. “Anything else?”
“Nope.” Charlotte insisted on footing the bill against Kendall’s arguments and moments later they were back out on the heated street and the sidewalk sale began in earnest. Charlotte’s handmade crocheted panties were a hit along with Kendall’s jewelry. After an hour, the wire jewelry had sold phenomenally well and Charlotte had collected deposits and a list from people who’d requested specific color schemes or ID bracelets and necklaces.
“I never expected this kind of volume,” Kendall said in awe.
“Hey, when you’re good, you’re good.” Beth gave her an earnest smile. “Welcome aboard, Kendall.”
Warmth fluttered inside her chest and the most she could manage was a smile in return. She glanced across the street and noticed her sister bouncing around with a group of nice-looking girls. Hannah too seemed part of a crowd here in Yorkshire Falls.
What ifs began circling in Kendall’s head once more. What if she settled here? What if she didn’t pack her bags and move to Arizona? What if she trusted in herself and in others for the duration?
Kendall shook her head. Twenty-seven years of habits were hard to break in one day. For now she wanted to enjoy the bright sunny day and the sense of belonging without the stress of decision-making or thought. She was grateful when seconds later, Thomas Scalia arrived to flirt with Beth. At least watching the other couple distracted Kendall from her own flights of fancy. As if she could ever really belong anywhere. But here felt so right . . .
“Ms. Sutton?”
Kendall turned at the sound of her name and found herself facing an attractive brunette.
“I’m Grace McKeever,” the other woman said. “My daughter’s name is Jeanette. Jeannie and your sister have become fast friends.” She gestured across the street to where the girls giggled. They congregated in one group while another clique of guys huddled nearby.
Kendall stifled a laugh.
“Jeannie’s the one with the dark ponytail. Anyway, I promised her I’d take her and a friend to an afternoon movie in Harrington and then for dinner. We’ll probably grab Chinese food and be home later on tonight. I’d love to take Hannah, if it’s okay with you.”
“That’s so sweet of you to offer.” Hannah had mentioned Jeannie more than once since the car wash and when Kendall had questioned Rick about her choice of friends, he’d reassured Kendall that the McKeevers were wonderful people. “Of course it’s okay. I’d be forever grateful, actually.”
“Wonderful. The girls will be thrilled.”
As if on cue, Hannah and Jeannie ran over, both talking at once. “Mom, can Hannah sleep over?” Jeannie asked.
“Kendall, I have to get this purple washed out of my hair,” Hannah said at the same time. “And Pam said she had just the solution to do it, and she said she could fit me in now. I don’t know what I was thinking, but Greg hates girls with fake hair, so I have to rinse this stuff out. Can I, Kendall, please? And I really want to sleep at Jeannie’s house. Did you know that Greg lives next door?” Hannah said, asked, and explained all without taking a breath.
Her sister wanted to rinse out her hair? She liked it here enough to come out from hiding? Why not, that small voice asked. You did, recalling how she’d rinsed the pink soon after arriving because she’d wanted to be herself. Kendall blinked, startled at the similarities between the sisters. And a positive one this time.
“Well, Kendall?”
Hannah’s voice interrupted her thoughts and Kendall glanced at her sister. “Yes, yes, and no.”
Her bright eyes opened wide, clearly upset. “That’s so unfair. Just because I slept at Charlotte’s last night doesn’t mean I shouldn’t be able to sleep out again tonight and I earned money helping Charlotte all morning, so—”
“Whoa.” Kendall held up a hand, cutting her sister off. “Yes, you can definitely have the purple washed out of your hair. My treat. Yes, you can sleep at Jeannie’s house if it’s okay with her mother.” She paused, an idea hitting her. “Actually, why don’t the two of you sleep at our house and give her parents a break after the movies and dinner? And no, I didn’t know Greg lived next door to Jeannie,” Kendall finished on a laugh.
Hannah blushed. “Sorry.”
“That’s okay.” At least Hannah was acting like a typical teenager and not an angry young girl. “So what does everyone think?” Kendall asked about the idea of the girls sleeping at her place.
The girls looked first at each other, then at poor Grace McKeever.
“Please, Mom, please can I sleep at Kendall’s?” Jeannie tugged on her mother’s sleeve. “They’re staying in Ms. Sutton’s old guest house. Hannah said it’s so cool. She has her own room and there’s an attic where Kendall set up all her jewelry designs. Hannah said it’s awesome. Please?”
Hannah said anything about Kendall or the house was awesome? Kendall had to blink back tears. She turned and wiped her eyes, intending to blame the sun if anyone called her on it.
“It’s fine with me, girls. We’ll stop at the house before we leave for Harrington so you can pack up your things.”
“Cool!” The girls shot each other conspiratorial grins, as if they’d accomplished some covert deal.
“Don’t forget a blanket or sleeping bag of some kind,” Kendall said to Jeannie. “We don’t have extra beds and furniture.”
“Double cool!” Jeannie said as Grace jotted down her cell and home phone number and Kendall did the same so they could exchange. Then Grace excused herself to do some more shopping. The girls turned to run back to their crowd of friends, but Hannah pivoted back and leaned across the table, meeting Kendall’s gaze.
“Thanks.”
The appreciation in Hannah’s eyes told Kendall more than anything her sister could possibly say. “My pleasure.” Reaching into her jeans pocket, Kendall pulled out spare money and gave it to her sister. “Spend wisely,” she joked.
Hannah shoved the bills into her front pocket. “Kendall?”
“Yes?”
Hannah swallowed hard.
“Hannah, come on. They’re waiting for us,” Jeannie called out.
“I . . . I love you. Bye.” Before Kendall could reply, Hannah turned and ran to join her friends.
“I love you too.” And this time, a tear really did fall, dripping down her cheek.
As the sidewalk sale drew to a close, so did Rick’s shift. He was free to do as he pleased and seeing Kendall pleased him greatly. He caught up with her as she was exiting Charlotte’s Attic, a briefcase in hand.
Matching her stride, he fell into step with her. “Hey there.”
Her eyes flashed a genuine greeting. “Hi yourself.”
“Successful day?” He gestured to the briefcase.
“Amazing. I sold much of what we had out and took special orders for dozens of others.” She shook her head in awe. “It’s just been great.”