“We’re like a vault,” Jasper insisted.
Evie bit into her bottom lip. “You know how me and Milo are getting married in a month?”
I nodded.
“We’re going to try for a baby right away.” She covered her mouth with the tips of her fingers and bounced her knees excitedly.
“Oh, my God. That is awesome!” I breathed.
“Nieces and nephews! We are so here for it, sister!” Jasper added.
“Definitely. Babysitting for sure!” I promised.
Evie grinned. “I can hardly wait. Though it’s scary because Milo was married before. He actually got married very young to a woman who’d gotten pregnant.”
“Meaning he did the responsible thing,” I guessed.
She nodded. “They weren’t exactly a love match, but Milo was committed to her. Tragically, they ended up losing the baby.”
I reached out my hand and took hers. “Must have been hard on him. However, that doesn’t mean it’s going to happen to you.”
She squeezed my hand. “I know, I know. It’s still scary, though. Not only do I want this because I’ve always wanted a family of my own, but it’s a big deal for Milo, too, and I want to be everything he could ever want or need.”
“Honey, you are. You absolutely are. That man looks at you as though you were the sun, moon and the stars above.”
“Thanks.”
“Listen, one thing my dad Casey always said was you can’t worry about something that hasn’t happened yet. You have no control over something like that anyway. It’s all in God’s hands. So don’t fret or worry until the problem is right in front of you. Right now, and after you get married, the part you know how to do, the trying part, focus on that. Everything will fall into place as it’s supposed to.”
Evie nodded and interlaced her fingers. “I appreciate that, Izzy. I’m scared but I’m also excited. And hey, my mother had three perfectly successful and healthy births. Genetics and family history, I have in my favor.”
“Exactly.”
“Pull up to the curb over there. See the sign for Gypsy Soul? That’s her shop.” Evie pointed to a storefront on a quaint, lively street.
There were people out everywhere carrying different-size shopping bags, going in and out of the many storefronts.
“Dang, this place is hoppin’.” Jasper put on his blinker and found a parking space not far from the front of Suda Kaye’s boutique.
I scanned the many storefronts and noticed the one right next door to Gypsy Soul had a for-sale sign. I squinted and saw the original silk screening on the door and the words Candy Shop peeling away.
“This used to be a candy store?” I asked Evie.
She glanced at the store that shared a wall with Gypsy Soul. “Yeah. From what I understand a woman owned it for decades but didn’t have the family support to keep it going. I think she tried to sell it but the entire place needs an overhaul. Suda Kaye had to completely redo her entire store. The building owner is quite a pest.” She tipped her head to the side. “Though the location is undeniably great for foot traffic.” She spread her arm wide toward all the people milling around.
“Interesting.”
Jasper looked through the windows. “Looks beat up, Izzy. Would need a lot of work.”
I cupped my hands around my face at the window and peered inside. There were dust and cobwebs and broken-down displays littering the space. There was an old oven in the back that looked like it needed to be retired about twenty years ago. It looked like it would be a fire hazard for sure. Still, the size was right. The location perfect and right next door to my sister Suda Kaye. And if I wanted to truly get to know these women and the life they’d lived with our mother, I needed to be close. This was definitely close.
“It has good bones, though.” I kept looking, imagining a big display case running in an L shape. The back could have those super-cool, old-fashioned saloon doors separating the kitchen from the main area.
Jasper, just like me, was still staring. “An L-shaped display.” He repeated my exact thoughts and I grinned.
We stepped back and I looked up at the sign. “It could work.”
He pulled out his phone and took a picture of the number on the sign. “Doesn’t hurt to give it a gander.”
Evie hooked her elbows with mine and Jasper’s. “Come on. You’re gonna love Gypsy Soul.”
Six
Entering the store was like entering an Impressionist painting. Splashes of color and textured fabrics were everywhere. Lana Del Rey’s soothing music filtered around the room, which absolutely flowed with the hippie, dippy, trippy and multi-diverse wares. From flashy, slinky dresses to graphic tees and jewelry, to leather belts and bags with fringe, and a full wall of denim in every color of the rainbow. The entire space was a feast for the eyes.
“That’s it. This is where I want to live,” Jasper stated seriously, his eyes bugging out as he took in the massive amount of unique and interesting things for sale. “We’ve driven sixteen hours in the last two days and we finally found paradise,” he whispered. “And, baby, it’s beautiful.”
I laughed out loud and that was when I noticed Suda Kaye behind the long wooden display. Her head came up and her caramel-colored eyes zeroed in on me. “Oh, my God! Izzy, you’re here!”
She ran around the counter and catapulted into my open arms. She swung me from left to right while squealing loudly. I held on tight and soaked in her warmth. I swore I could feel a tether of connection weaving around my form like vines of ivy. Her earthiness and joy mixed with my excitement and soothed something inside me I hadn’t known was hurting.
Suda Kaye pulled back, cupped my cheeks and kissed me on the forehead. “My goodness, it’s awesome to have you here in Colorado and in my store!”
I grinned. “It’s great to be here.”
Suda Kaye smiled beautifully and then looked at Jasper from head to toe. “And who is this fabulous pillar of fashion fierceness? Loving the look, by the way.”
Jasper grinned wildly. “Her best friend. Soul mate. And brother from another mother. Now soon to be your brother from another mother as we’re planning to move here.”
Suda Kaye’s mouth opened and closed. Her eyes filled with delight and came back to focus on me. “Did he just say you are moving here? As in Colorado? As in Pueblo?”
I bit into my bottom lip and shrugged. “It’s part of the plan for now. We’ll have to see how it goes. But yeah, we’re definitely staying for a long while.”