"Savannah Beauchamp!" Mamie Harper got up and swept her into a hug, missing Savannah's little grimace at the horsehair that the embrace left on her jacket. "You are a sight for sore eyes! GG must be thrilled to death!"
Savannah resigned herself to hugs from the ladies, making a mental note to make sure there was a lint brush in the limo.
"Good morning, Savannah!" Maggie called across the room. "What can I get for you?"
Savannah strolled over to Maggie's display case and found it to be very appealing. "This looks wonderful, Maggie. And your coffee is excellent. No wonder your bakery is so popular."
Maggie beamed at her. "Thank you, that's high praise coming from someone who's seen so much of the world. What would you like? I have fresh croissants, still warm."
Savannah asked for a croissant and fresh fruit with sparkling water. Joey went to gas up the limo while she ate the tender, flaky pastry with real butter and homemade jam and fresh berries. Maggie joined her after the ladies left, and Savannah asked her where she had her nails and hair done.
"GG and I have been going to Indianapolis about every six weeks, but I often get manicures at Tina's here in town. She has a nail tech on Tuesdays and Saturdays who does a nice job."
Savannah was shocked. "So you only get facials and massages every six weeks?"
Maggie laughed. "If that. I haven't had a massage in months, although I did get a facial the last time we went."
Savannah pouted a little. "And Gran wondered why I was keeping my car and driver around. I'll need a recommendation to your place in Indy."
"Of course. I have cards at the house. Don't let me forget to give you one this evening."
"Oh, trust me, I won't forget. I suppose I'll need to go to Indy once a week. At least there's some decent shopping there."
Maggie was smiling. "It won't be like shopping in Paris, but there are some good stores. Shelby got her dress there, and wait till you see her shoes!"
Savannah looked interested. "I saw the dress, but she didn't show me the shoes."
"They're gorgeous! What about your dress?"
"It'll be here by the end of the week. The designer is shipping it for me."
Maggie looked impressed. "I can't wait to see it."
"Do I get to see your dress tonight?"
"Sure. It's very simple, but Shelby helped me pick it out, and she says it suits me just right."
"I'm sure it does. With your hair, simple is perfect. Your hair is amazing, by the way."
Maggie's hair was a luxurious mane of red curls. "I told Carter a long time ago, it's always been my best and worst feature. I tried keeping it as short as a boy's for a while, but it didn't suit me. I finally gave up fighting with it and I just let it do its own thing."
"Well, it's stunning. Letting it do its own thing is obviously a wise choice." Savannah smiled at her.
Just then, GG walked in the door. "Good morning, Savannah! Did you have a good night?"
Savannah said, "I did. I slept well, although I did have a dream about a man. I can't quite remember, but it seems like it was a cowboy. Where on earth that came from, I have no idea."
GG laughed. "I wouldn't mind dreaming about a cowboy."
"But I don't think I've ever met a man who even comes close to being a cowboy. It's just very odd."
"There are some cowboys around here when trail riding season gets in full swing. I bet they could make a pretty hot dream," GG said.
"Gran! Have you been reading romances?"
"Lord, no! I've been sleeping alone way too long to be torturing myself with romance novels."
Savannah looked a little shocked, but she and Maggie were laughing.
"I guess I didn't think of it that way," Savannah admitted. "So, to change the subject, what are the plans for Shelby's bachelorette bash?"
Maggie and GG looked blankly at each other. GG said, "We really hadn't thought about that. It's not like it's going to be a big wedding. You two are the only ones standing up for Shelby, and Carter and Frank are Sam's witnesses. Shelby's not a big party animal."
Savannah looked properly shocked. "Well, knowing Shelby, she's only getting married once, so she needs to have at least one night of kicking up her heels. Leave it to me. I'll get her to celebrate."
GG looked alarmed. "Savannah, don't go overboard; you're not jet setting now."
Savannah rolled her eyes. "Yes, Gran, I'm definitely aware that I'm in Boone, not Rio. Like I said, leave it to me."
"Oh, boy," GG muttered. "I'll leave it between you and your sister."
Savannah smiled confidently. "Good. We'll be partying for at least one night."
Maggie looked at the clock and said, "I have to get moving. I'll see you both this evening, right?"
"Absolutely. I can't wait to see your house. I've got to inspect my brother's work."
"Great, I'll see you later then." Maggie hurried off to the kitchen.
GG said, "I'd better go too. I'm open for a couple more hours. What are you doing this afternoon?"
Savannah drawled sarcastically, "Well, I thought I'd have Joey drive us through the park so we could watch the trees grow for a while, maybe see a bird or two."
GG chided, "Oh, come on, Savannah. It's not that bad."
Her granddaughter said, "Really? So you have some suggestions?"
"Of course. There's always something to do in Boone. We have the shops, the library, the park wildlife museum is open. Starting in two weeks, there are riding lessons. There's hiking, bird watching, camping."
Savannah groaned. "Kill me now."
GG got up and said briskly, "Well, you'll figure it out. I'm going back to work now."
"Okay, Gran, I'll see you later."
Savannah called goodbye to Maggie and went out to the limo. Flopping into the back seat, she heaved a huge sigh.
"Where to, Miss Savannah?"
She waved a hand irritably. "Just drive for a while. See the sights; we've got time to kill. I don't know how these people can stand living here. I'm never going to make it until the wedding."
"It is awfully pretty here," Joey offered.
"Not you too! I suppose when I was a kid, it had its attractions. But I'm not a kid now; there is nothing to do here!"
Joey decided prudently to keep his mouth shut and drive. He chose a road and drove out into the countryside. They passed a beautifully kept place that looked like a horse farm, with lots of rail fence and a huge barn behind the big house. The limo slowed so Joey could get a good look at the place.
"Wow," he said, impressed. "That's some place."
Savannah peered out the window. "That's the Harpers' farm. Doc Harper was the doctor around here for years, until he retired. His wife is one of the ladies who rides the horses into town."
Joey said, "I still can't believe they ride horses right into town."
Savannah said tartly, "Really? Have you seen the town?"
"Well, where do they go after they get into town? Just ride back home?"