“Sure, but you know you’re going to have to bring Daisy in tomorrow morning for story time.”
“Mom said you were like the pied piper, getting all the kids in town to come in to listen to you read to them so their parents have to buy the book when you’ve finished. Very clever ruse, sister.”
“Not all the kids, but yeah, we get quite a crowd. No one has to buy a book, but a lot of the kids want to take a copy home with them. The shop sells a lot of books on Saturday morning, which is what I think Liddy intended when she decided to do the story hour,” Grace said as they turned up Front toward Jasper. “And if you think the outside looks great, wait till you see the inside.”
When they walked past Liddy’s house, Chris stopped, and Nat asked, “What?”
“Every time I go by this place, I think of Jessie. She was such a great girl. Funny and clever and creative, and a hell of a good friend.” He nodded in the direction of the carriage house. “I hate she had something so heavy on her heart she just went and ended it. So many people loved her. She could have talked to someone, maybe gotten some relief from whatever was weighing her down. Sometimes I still can’t believe it.”
“Same,” Grace said, touching Chris’s arm. “We were friends for so long; then we just grew apart. I’ve often wondered if we’d remained close, if she’d have told me what was going on in her life that was hurting her so much.”
“I never knew her as well as either of you, but I remember her coming to the house for Grace.” Natalie turned to Chris. “And I know the two of you had been friends since nursery school.”
“She was the sister I never had. I wish I’d been around more for her. Maybe she’d have confided in me.” He left the thought unfinished.
Grace began walking, and Chris and Natalie finally caught up to her at the end of her new driveway.
“This way, friends.”
“Nice long driveway,” Chris noted.
“Lots of holes to fill,” Nat said.
“I’m going to have the driveway paved,” Grace told them. “I kind of like the rough country lane look, but it’s hell navigating past all those potholes, especially when it rains, so I’m going to sacrifice charm for function. At least outside.”
“Oh, it’s . . . small,” Natalie said when the house came into view.
“Hence the name, the little house,” Grace said. “The plan out here is to have a porch. Can’t you see it with a couple of rocking chairs and some big containers of flowers?”
“Uh-huh. Lots of flowers.” Natalie nodded.
Grace turned the key in the lock and pushed open the door. She led Chris and Natalie through the interior, describing her plans for each space.
“I can see what you’re seeing, Grace, and you’re right. It’s going to be perfect.” Natalie hugged her sister.
“I know, right?” Grace opened the back door. “Come see what I’m planning out back.”
She walked them through the plans for the porch, and pointed out where the little patio would be.
“It’s going to be beautiful. The view of the pond is the best. And look at those woods, with all the leaves turning colors.” Natalie stood with her hands in her pockets. “It’s so peaceful here. I’d love to wake up in the morning and look out on all this.”
“Not much room for guests,” Grace said. “You’d have to bring sleeping bags or an air mattress.”
“I’d totally do that. It would be like camping.”
“Or we could bring a tent,” Chris said. “Set it up down near the pond.”
“Snakes,” Grace said pointedly.
“No tent.” Natalie shook her head. “But all in on the air mattress.”
Grace finished the tour in the kitchen. “I have this room pretty much set up in my head, so I’m hoping my contractor can make it happen. I think he can. We’re pretty much on the same wavelength.”
Chris picked up the card Linc had left on the kitchen counter and read aloud, “Shelby and Son. Tuck’s still in business?”
“Yes, do you know him?” Grace asked.
“I used to know Tuck’s son,” he replied.
“Linc. He’s my contractor.”
A shadow crossed Chris’s face, but he merely nodded and looked at his watch. “We should probably get back to your mom’s. I’d hoped to get up to the beach to take some photos while we’re here, and it’s a good day for it.”
Natalie and Chris ambled along the drive, holding hands while Grace locked up.
“So what do you think of my little house?” Grace asked when she fell in step with them.
“I love it. I told you I think it’s perfect for you. I can’t wait to see it after all the work is done.” Nat looped an arm through Grace’s.
They walked back to Maggie’s at a brisker pace, and when they arrived, Natalie and Chris went down to the beach while Grace went inside. Daisy had fallen asleep on Maggie’s bed, and had slept the entire time her mother was gone. When she awoke, she wanted a snack, then to walk to the beach to find her mom and Chris.
“Is tomorrow Sunday?” Daisy asked as she bit into a banana chocolate chip muffin Maggie had made that morning.
“No, tomorrow’s Saturday,” Grace said. “Remember I told you I’d take you to the bookshop for story time, and I’d read a book for you and all the other kids who come in?”
Daisy nodded, her twin blonde ponytails bobbing up and down.
“The day after tomorrow is Sunday,” Maggie told her.
“Good.”
“I think you’re going home on Sunday. Is that why you’re asking?” Maggie wet a napkin and wiped the chocolate from Daisy’s face after she finished her muffin.
“Uh-uh. I like Sundays best.”
“Because you and your mom get to stay home together?” Maggie asked.
“No, because Chris makes us blueberry pancakes for breakfast on Sunday.” All innocence, Daisy looked up at her grandmother.
Maggie paused while she processed the information before she said, “Oh, that’s nice of him. Every Sunday?”
Daisy nodded enthusiastically. “Yup.”
Maggie got up slowly. “I think I’ll start dinner. Grace, did I tell you I invited Emma and Chris to join us for dinner tonight?”
“Chris brings us dinner on Fridays,” Daisy went on, “and Mommy cooks something special on Saturday.”
“Well. That’s . . . nice, too.” Maggie looked at Grace, who shrugged and said, “No filter. I’ve been telling Nat—”
“You might want to tell her again.”
“Right. I’ll walk down to the beach,” Grace said.
“Me too.” Daisy climbed out of the chair she’d been sitting in and raced to the door.
“Jacket, miss,” Maggie called after her.
“I’ll get it.” Grace helped Daisy into her jacket, and set out with her niece, who chattered the entire time.
When they arrived at the beach, Grace scanned the sand, but she didn’t see either Natalie or Chris until she looked up at the lifeguard stand. The two of them were wrapped around each other, making out.