Chapter 4
Gateway Promenade was an outdoor mall that Emily had rarely visited. There were several stores in the vicinity that she’d frequented on occasion, one being an eyeglass shop when she’d needed new spectacles.
Most of the women she knew agreed that the majority of stores at this particular mall catered more to teens and young men and women in their twenties and thirties. Emily decided that made it her perfect destination.
When she reached for her purse to call an Uber, it struck her that not only didn’t she have a handbag, she didn’t have a phone.
A purse, along with a wallet, rose to the top of her must-buy list. Then a prepaid phone that would get her by until she had money coming in, and finally—and this was what she was most excited about—new clothes and shoes.
Though determined not to squander her money, neither would she deny herself the pleasure of the shopping experience. When she’d been young, there had been no money for frivolous purchases. The hotel her father had owned had been struggling, and each dime had been precious.
Thankfully, the dark skies had passed with no more than a heavy sprinkle. The day was beautiful, and it wasn’t much of a walk to the mall. On the way, Emily reveled in her youthful legs, strong and sturdy with no aches or pains.
The Promenade, designed with businesses clustered around a central courtyard, boasted not only leafy trees and an abundance of colorful flowers, but a fountain that doubled as a wishing well.
The fun of perusing the purses in the first store she entered kept Emily busy for a full thirty minutes. She finally settled on what the sales clerk called a hobo bag in a very impractical apricot color.
“This is one of my faves.” The girl, who looked about twelve but was undoubtedly older, smiled as she scanned both the purse and matching wallet. “The color is dope.”
Thankfully, Emily knew that dope meant lovely. She smiled and pulled a couple of bills from her tote, laying them on the counter. “I was wondering if you could do me a favor and cut off the tags? I don’t plan on returning either item, and I’d like to use them right now.”
For the first time, the girl appeared to notice that Emily had pulled the money out of the canvas bag slung over her shoulder.
Seeing the question in her eyes, Emily improvised. “When I looked in my closet, there wasn’t a single purse that I could see bringing with me today.”
All true, Emily thought, only because there hadn’t been a single purse in the room.
“I hear ya.” The girl chuckled. “I’m like that, too.”
With quick, precise movements, the clerk cut off the tags, put the purse and wallet in a handled sack and handed it to Emily, along with her change.
“Thanks for your help,” she told the girl.
“No problem.”
Emily was still smiling at the reply that had somehow replaced you’re welcome as she strode out of the shop and into a big-box anchor store, where she picked up a prepaid smartphone and an Apple Watch.
The directions for activating the phone with three months of talk/text appeared straightforward. Still, since she had no one to call, Emily decided she’d wait until she was back in her room to do the setup.
In time, she would have friends she would want to contact and who would need a way to contact her, but for now she appreciated the anonymity. It gave her time to get her ducks in a row.
A brief stop at a table in the courtyard gave her the chance to put her money and driver’s license into the wallet, which she then placed into the purse.
The canvas tote went into the handled shopping bag, along with her new phone. She smiled to herself. Now she was ready for some serious shopping.
Two hours later, Emily returned to the hotel, flushed with the knowledge of a job well done.
She dropped her new purchases off in her room and changed into one of her new outfits. After taking a moment to admire the beauty makeover that she’d had done at a cosmetics counter, she ran her new brush through her hair and headed down the stairs.
Though she could have eaten at the mall, she was in the mood to celebrate the first day of her new life with something different.
Today’s early luncheon felt like it had happened eons ago. While the excitement had sustained Emily through her shopping endeavors, all the walking and shopping had stirred her appetite.
Thankfully, the River Walk, with its plethora of restaurants, was only a hop, skip and a jump away. Emily felt a shiver of excitement as she strolled in the early evening air. Music from a band farther down Cripple Creek added to the festive atmosphere.
Emily loved the lights, both white and colored, that businesses strung across outdoor seating areas and around windows. Even though it wasn’t dark yet—thank you, summer—the ornate lampposts along the River Walk had already clicked on.
Flags advertising the upcoming Blues, Brews and Barbecue fest fluttered from the posts, the bright orange and yellow colors drawing the eye.
Emily knew all about the annual craft beer festival, or rather, she’d heard about it, but had never attended. Though it was open to any adult twenty-one and over, in her mind the event was geared toward the young.
She glanced down at her puff-sleeve tee, wide-leg trousers in a plant pattern and new strappy sandals. She recalled the image in her hotel room mirror and smiled. Emily had the feeling a Blues, Brews and Barbecue fest was in her future.
At the mall, it seemed as if every woman her age wore sandals with toes painted a variety of vibrant colors. Her changeover hadn’t included a pedicure, a fact noticed when she’d been trying on sandals this afternoon.
Yes, a pedicure and a manicure were definitely in her future. She felt a surge of anticipation, then was struck by how odd it was to be planning a trip to a nail salon and deciding which of the many restaurants would get her business tonight when she no longer existed.
For a brief second, the thought had her sobering. Until she remembered she was still very much alive. The body that had been her home for the past ninety-two years had simply been replaced with a newer, sportier model.
The only thing she regretted was bringing pain to those she’d left behind. Once again, she reassured herself that her body had been wearing out and her time would have been up soon enough.
Right now, she was alive and had been given this amazing opportunity. She wasn’t going to waste a single moment of it on regret.
After studying the posted menus of several restaurants along the River Walk, Emily went with the “tasting menu” at the Black Apron Bistro. The chef’s choices included an appetizer of scallop crudo and a main course of grilled octopus.
The carefully selected wine pairings to complement each course only enhanced the dining experience. Emily found the octopus surprisingly tasty and the Vermentino, a light-bodied white wine, an excellent choice.
When she’d asked the server what was for dessert, Clark, who’d been subtly flirting, winked and told her she was going to love the mignardises.
Unfamiliar with the word, she’d had to ask, and he’d told her they were bite-sized sweet treats. She would receive a plate containing a macaron, a truffle, a petit four and a fruit tartlet. She was offered a digestif or coffee.
As Emily had already consumed enough alcohol throughout the meal—albeit in small portions—she chose the coffee.
Clark’s constant attention, despite his other tables filling up, had made her dining experience all the more pleasurable.
When he wasn’t seeing to the needs of his other customers, he stood tableside, visiting with her. It was almost, Emily thought, like having a very enjoyable dinner companion.
Unfortunately, as business picked up, Clark’s visits to her table became less frequent.
While waiting for him to bring her dessert and coffee, she spotted Chloe and Jaclyn approaching the hostess stand. Emily’s heart twisted, knowing that the grief she saw on Chloe’s face was for her.
Since Emily had arrived before the rush and all the single tables had been occupied, the hostess had sat her at a four-top in the outdoor dining area.
“I’d be happy to take your name.” The hostess’s voice carried easily on the still, evening air. “Right now, we’re looking at a forty-minute wait.”
Jaclyn and Chloe exchanged a look. Chloe gave her head a little shake.
“Thanks anyway.” Jaclyn offered the hostess a polite smile. “We’ll try another time.”
As the two strode by, Emily gestured to the empty chairs at her table and said, “You may join me, if you’d like.”
Emily had been taught proper manners from a young age. Calling out to virtual strangers and inviting them to join you at your table simply was not done.
The two women moved to the waist-high ornate fence surrounding the outdoor seating. As they stepped closer, Emily saw recognition dawn on Chloe’s face. “You’re Emily. Emily Curtis.”
“That’s right.” Emily’s heart gave a little lurch. After all those years of closeness, she and Chloe were now strangers.
Chloe turned to Jaclyn. “Emily was the guest I was checking in this afternoon.”
Chloe performed a quick introduction, and Emily learned Jaclyn’s last name was Edwards and that her father owned the Oasis.
The sadness on Chloe’s face had Emily yearning to spring to her feet and enfold the young woman in her arms the way she had when Chloe had been a child.
Good sense had her remaining seated.
Jaclyn shot Emily a look of apology. “Sorry for interrupting your check-in. It was sort of an emergency.”
“Chloe and I had finished our business,” Emily assured her.
“How do you like your room?” Jaclyn asked, sounding more polite than truly interested.
“It’s lovely.”
“I’m glad.” Jaclyn shifted her gaze to Chloe. “What do you want to do?”
“This works for me,” Chloe told her friend, then offered Emily a tentative smile. “We’d love to join you, if you’re sure we wouldn’t be intruding.”
“I’d love the company.” The warmth in Emily’s voice appeared to seal the deal. At least for Chloe.
Jaclyn hesitated for only a second more. “I’ll grab menus from the hostess.”
The two women were just getting seated when Clark appeared with Emily’s dessert plate and coffee.
Chloe’s amber eyes widened. “Those look amazing.”
“Have one. Or two.” Emily nudged the plate in Chloe’s direction, then turned to Jaclyn. “Please, help yourself.”
“None for me.” Jaclyn lifted a staying hand, then added as more of an afterthought, “Thanks, though.”
“They look incredible.” Chloe heaved a sigh filled with regret. “I should probably eat some real food first.”
Jaclyn turned to Chloe. “Are you going with the blueberry bison burger with roasted vegetables?”
Chloe chuckled. “You know me so well.”
“Make that two.” Jaclyn smiled up at Clark.
Clark inclined his head. “Anything to drink?”
Once he’d taken their drink orders, Clark swept up the menus, his gaze lingering on Emily. “It shouldn’t be long. The kitchen is on fire tonight.”
“Hopefully, he means that figuratively,” Emily quipped.
Jaclyn’s brows pulled together.
Chloe laughed.
“You both already knew what you wanted,” Emily observed, glancing from one woman to the other. “You really didn’t need menus.”
Jaclyn shrugged. “We thought we might.”
“When the blueberry bison burgers are on the menu, that’s what we usually get.” Chloe glanced at Emily. “What did you have?”
“I went with the tasting menu.” Emily gave them a quick course-by-course rundown.
Chloe wrinkled her nose. “I tried octopus once. Now, it may have been how it was prepared, but it seemed rubbery, and I didn’t care for the taste. But you liked yours, right?”
“It was incredible.” Emily gave a little laugh. “I was tempted to go with the seared scallops, a personal favorite, but that would have been the safe choice. I was feeling adventurous tonight.”
“That’s a lot of food,” Jaclyn commented, then glanced at Chloe. “I could never eat that much.”
“It was a lot,” Emily admitted. “But everything was amazing, and I ate it all.”
Jaclyn offered a grudging nod. “It’s good to tap into our adventurous side.”
“I’m trying to stretch myself.” Emily leaned forward. “Abraham Maslow once said, ‘In any given moment, we have two options—to step forward into growth or to step back into safety.’ I’ve gone the safe route one too many times.”
Emily hadn’t even finished speaking when tears filled Chloe’s eyes and slipped down her cheeks.
Emily resisted the urge to reach out and ask what was wrong, the way she had when Chloe had been young.
Blinking rapidly and appearing embarrassed by the show of emotion, Chloe hurriedly brushed away the tears. “Sorry. I had a friend who loved that quote.”
“It’s okay, Chloe.” Jaclyn’s voice was as soft as the hand she placed on her friend’s arm. She turned to Emily and explained, “She lost someone very close to her today.”
“Til, that was her name, well, actually it was Matilda, but she went by Til.” Chloe sniffled, then pulled a tissue from her purse. “She was found dead in a park this afternoon.”
“Oh no.” Emily forced surprise into her voice. “What happened?”
“She was really old,” Jaclyn pointed out. “Like, ancient.”
Chloe shot Jaclyn a glinting glance before refocusing on Emily. “She was ninety-two, but a young ninety-two, if you know what I mean.”
“I do.” Emily offered a sympathetic smile. “Was this woman a relative?”
Chloe shook her head and appeared to steady. She took a sip of her cola. “Not by blood, but she was like a grandma to me. My parents traveled a lot for their business when I was young. They hired Til to watch me when they were gone. It felt as if I was with her more than with my parents growing up. I-I loved her.”
Emily’s heart twisted.
“The thing I regret the most,” Chloe continued without any prompting, not appearing to notice when the server placed the plate of burger and vegetables before her, “is that I didn’t spend more time with her when I first got back to GraceTown. Now, it’s too late.”
“I’m sure she understood.” Again, Emily had to resist the urge to reach over and give Chloe’s hand a squeeze.
“I don’t know, maybe, I hope.” Chloe expelled a heavy sigh and picked up her fork.
“You’ve only been back a few months,” Jaclyn reminded her. “You were busy getting settled.”
“I should have made time for what was important,” Chloe insisted. “Think of your own grandmother. She won’t be around forever.”
Jaclyn rolled her eyes. “Don’t get going on her.”
Sensing a sore subject, Emily steered the conversation back to Chloe. “Where were you before you returned to GraceTown?”
Emily took a sip of coffee and nibbled on a petit four. She, of course, already knew the answer, but the more Chloe spoke, the more she appeared to steady.
“I went away to college. First to get my bachelor’s, then I picked up a master’s, because, hey, why not?” Chloe gave a laugh.
“You always were an overachiever.” Jaclyn’s tone held a teasing edge.
Chloe laughed. “I guess.”
“What did you get your degrees in?” Emily asked, wanting to keep the conversation going.
“Liberal arts and hospitality management.” Chloe shook her head. “Not exactly the most marketable of concentrations, but it’s what I like. After graduation, I worked in the hospitality industry in Miami. Then, well, things went south, and I came back here. Jaclyn and I were roommates at Cornell and kept in touch. Thanks to her recommendation, her father offered me a job managing the Oasis.”
“You’d have gotten the job without me,” Jaclyn insisted. “Your résumé speaks for itself. He was lucky to get someone with your qualifications.”
Emily agreed. Any employer would be lucky to have Chloe. “What about you, Jaclyn? Do you also work at the Oasis?”
“I don’t.” Jaclyn stabbed a roasted carrot. “I love my dad and all, but us working together, well, there is such a thing as being too close. I’m the assistant catering manager at the Grand Manse.”
The Grand Manse had once been a private residence. Located on twenty acres, it now housed the former owner’s extensive art collection. The house and land had been bequeathed to the city with the stipulation that the home and gardens be used for special events that would enrich the lives of GraceTown residents.
Emily had known Birdie Hollowell, the former owner. Though they hadn’t been close, she admired Birdie’s philanthropic nature and all she’d done for the town they both loved.
“I didn’t realize the Manse did outside catering.” The words slipped out before Emily could remind herself that she was supposed to be new to GraceTown.
“Until recently, we only catered on-site events. But it made sense to take on outside events to bolster revenue.” The first genuine smile that Emily had seen since Jaclyn had sat down lifted her lips. “I’m jazzed about the changes.”
“Jaclyn is the one dealing with the outside venues and clients.” Chloe beamed at her friend. “You’re the perfect person for the job.”
“Thanks, Chloe.” Jaclyn shifted her focus to Emily. “What is it you do, Emily?”
Emily’s hand stilled on the cup she’d just brought to her lips. She lowered it back to the saucer without taking a drink.
Her mind raced as she fought to recall what she’d read on the résumé Serena had provided. The résumé she had only skimmed.
Concert violinist.
Dear God, couldn’t Serena have picked something more normal? Then Emily reminded herself there was nothing normal about any of this.
“I received a bachelor of music degree from Juilliard. My instrument of choice is the violin.” Under the table, Emily wiped suddenly sweaty hands against her napkin.
“Juilliard.” Admiration shone in Chloe’s amber depths.
“That’s cool.” Jaclyn took a bite of her bison burger, her gaze turning sharp and assessing.
Emily hoped the questioning would end there. She opened her mouth, ready to steer the conversation in another direction, but she didn’t get the chance when Jaclyn spoke first.
“What have you done since graduation?”
“Most recently, I played for the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra.” That had been the last position on the résumé. Emily was almost sure of it.
For over a century, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra had been recognized as one of the leading organizations in the country. She wondered if its close proximity to GraceTown was why Serena had made the orchestra part of her history.
Emily’s plan was to go through the paperwork Serena had included once she returned to her hotel room later tonight. If Emily had done it earlier, she’d have been prepared for these types of questions.
“Why did you leave?” Chloe asked the question that Emily had hoped neither of them would raise.
“I was ready for a change.” Though Emily had no idea why a concert violinist was the background she’d been given, drinking the youth elixir had been about change. “Though I have to wonder if that was a smart move.”
The questioning looks in the eyes of the two women had Emily explaining. “I don’t have another position lined up.”
Jaclyn arched a brow. “You came to GraceTown. There’s no symphony here.”
“I realize that.” Emily took another drink of coffee. “I’m not looking to go back to a symphony.”
The questioning look in Jaclyn’s eyes had Emily continuing. “I’ve got a few ideas, some possibilities, none I’m ready to share.”
“I respect that.” Chloe wiped blueberry sauce off her lips with the edge of her napkin. “I have to admit, though, like Jaclyn, I’m curious. Why GraceTown? Do you have family here?”
No way was Emily making something up. She knew from a lifetime of living here that, while there might be six degrees of separation in most situations, in GraceTown it was down to three.
“No family. Or friends.” Once again, Emily brought the coffee cup to her lips, the action giving her time to think. “I heard GraceTown is like Sedona. You know, a place where one can tap into the frequencies of the universe. I was intrigued.”
“Frequencies of the universe?” Jaclyn’s brows pulled together. “What does that mean? I’ve never heard that term.”
“I have.” Chloe lifted a hand, like a schoolgirl in a classroom. “Til had a friend who lived in Sedona. She visited once when Til was watching me. The week Vicki was here, I heard that phrase a lot.”
“But what does it mean?” Jaclyn asked, puzzlement filling her blue eyes.
Emily hoped Chloe would explain, but Chloe only stared expectantly at her.
It had been so long since she and Vicki had talked that Emily fought to recall what she’d said. “It’s all about an area having a unique energy, places where the earth’s energy is amplified and heightened.”
“I grew up here. Some people believe in unexplainable happenings, but I’ve never known anyone who experienced anything the least bit strange. Personally, I think it’s all a joke.” Jaclyn’s expression seemed to indicate that anyone who believed differently was a fool.
“I’m not sure what I think.” Chloe shrugged as her gaze returned to Emily. “Though I do believe GraceTown has a good vibe.”
As much as Emily enjoyed spending time with Chloe, she was finding this discussion and all the questions a bit too much.
“A very good vibe,” Emily agreed, pushing her chair back and standing. She dropped several bills on the table. “I hate to rush off, but I have a date.”
The fact that the two didn’t ask any questions or offer much of a protest told Emily that, tonight, three had definitely been a crowd.