2
Magnolia Inn is thecutest bed and breakfast I have ever seen. Which I do suppose other than movies, this is the first one I have ever seen. It’s just down the road from Nana’s and I’m thankful I didn’t have far to drive. Gail, at the front desk, is the nicest lady, and apparently a good friend of Megan’s family. There is a beautiful Magnolia tree in the front yard, and I guess that is where the name comes from. Benches and picnic tables line directly under it where it casts the perfect shade for lunchtime or reading hours.
I stayed in my room much of the day yesterday and into the night, only to come out to eat dinner. If circumstances were different, I would read under the magnolia tree or walk around town and explore. It’s obvious to others that I am not from here, so I want to keep myself hidden for a little while until I figure out what I’m going to do.
I have no clothes other than the ones I drove to Maple in and I’m sure I reek of body odor, but I get up and make my way back to Nana’s to meet Megan for breakfast. When I pull my car into the parking lot, I notice it is as busy as it was yesterday.
Finding a parking spot close to the front, I turn my car off and grab my purse and phone and make my way to the front door. Passing the black Chevy truck that sits beside me a girl comes out from around it, “God, do you not own any more clothes than that?” The girl huffs and turns to me.
“Megan,” I cover my chest, “You just scared the shit out of me.”
She walks over to me and I notice the sweet girl I saw yesterday has been replaced with a rugged exterior. She’s dressed in jeans, horseback riding boots, and a white crop top. Her blonde hair is in a messy bun and her face is clean from makeup.
She takes a step towards me, looks me up and down, and then asks, “What are you actually doing here in Maple, Ivy? You clearly aren’t from here.” She steps farther into me.
Tears prick my eyes and I quickly wipe one away, “Are we not going to eat breakfast?” I ask trying to avoid her question.
“We will if you tell me the truth.” She stares into me sternly crossing her arms over her chest.
I huff letting out all the air in my lungs.
“Yesterday was supposed to be my wedding day. Instead, I found my soon to be husband in my new house cheating on me with my sister who was supposed to be my maid of honor.” Tears prick my eyes again and I quickly wipe it away.
She stares at me for a moment as to see if I’m lying and then sighs, “Well, shit. Okay then.” Megan turns walking towards her truck.
“Okay then?” I ask not moving a muscle.
She opens her truck door, “Get in.” she orders me.
Still, I don’t move.
“I don’t even know you. Plus, you were being very mean to me a moment ago. Why would I go anywhere with you?” I question her, crossing my arms over my chest.
“Because I know how you can start over.” She jumps into the driver’s seat closing the door.
Shit. Now I’m curious. I look back at the diner and back at her. I’m also freaking starving. Not giving myself another second to talk myself out of it, I double check that my car is locked and open her passenger door.
“Hell yeah!” Megan says and puts her truck in reverse as I slide in and shut the door.
We ride off down the road and pass the inn where I had stayed last night. The town is absolutely breath taking, like something you see in the movie Sweet Home Alabama. Old duplex buildings line the main street full of businesses and the courthouse sits in the middle of it all. Once we got out of the downtown side, it is nothing but cotton fields, farmhouses, barns, pasture and rolling mountains as far as the eye can see. Horses, cattle and tractors roam the fields.
“Are we still going to get breakfast somewhere?” I ask her and she laughs.
“Yes,” she rolls her eyes, “You know for such a tiny girl, you sure can put food away.” She turns down a dirt road and I notice the columns leading into it. There is a sign that has MAGNOLIA FARM engraved on it. This is someone”s driveway.
The road is long, and I wonder if this is where she’s taking me to kill me so one no will ever find me. Wooden fence posts and barbed wire fencing line both sides of the driveway as we ride down the dirt road. Horses are running and kicking their heels in the pasture and cows are standing at a hay ring eating their breakfast.
After a moment, the long fence we are driving beside turns into an open field and a beautiful white farmhouse comes into view. It has a wide front porch with porch swing. There is a big, beautiful Magnolia tree beside the house. The people of Maple sure love their Magnolia trees.
Three dogs lay on the porch and perk up as we approach. One of the dogs is a Great Pyrenees. I can tell by the thick white fur. I have read about them online before.
Megan puts the truck in park, and I step out taking a look around. Pastures as far as the eye can see with horses and cattle. Chickens roam the yard and there is a gigantic red barn across the driveway from the house and an old wooden one directly behind the house that looks like it has tractors and equipment in it. There are tulips blooming near the front porch in colors of pink, yellow, and purple. Perfect for a beautiful Spring day.
“Megan,” I ask still eyeing the scenery, “Have I died and gone to heaven?”
She laughs and walks towards the front door, “It sure feels like the closest thing to it on Earth, doesn’t it?” she pauses, “It’s my grandparents’ house. My brother and I live here with my grandma. We help her care for the farm.” She steps on the front porch and the dogs meet her. I follow behind and the Great Pyrenees comes into my bubble, sniffing me.
“That’s Reba.” She says, “She’s harmless. Unless you’re a coyote.” She points to what I think is a blue and red heeler, “And these two knuckle heads are George and Izzy.” She shrugs, “I’m a big Grey’s fan and well you can guess where Reba comes from.” I laugh and follow her inside through the screen door. It creaks as it closes behind me.
As soon as we make it inside, my nose is hit with the most captivating smell. Bacon, biscuits, sausage, and gravy are lined up on the table and my mouth instantly waters. An older woman stands at the sink washing her hands and turns when she hears us walk in. She is the magazine cover of what a southern grandmother looks like; Her white hair is pulled up on her head and an apron around her neck. Her glasses are partially down her nose, and she has naturally tan skin from being outside in her garden, I am sure. Her blue eyes look at Megan.
“Meg, so glad you made it in time. Breakfast is ready and I just set the table.” She smiles and looks at me.
“Who is your friend?” she asks Megan.
“This is Ivy Price, Grandma. She was passing through and stopped at Nana’s yesterday. She’s looking for a place to start over.” She says winking at me and takes a seat at the table.
The woman stares at me, looking confused, and I walk up and put my hand out. “I am so sorry if I’m intruding.” She finally smiles and shakes my hand as if she is remembering her manners.
Megan starts fixing her plate and comments, “She was supposed to get married yesterday but instead found her sister and soon to be husband doing the nasty.” Megan informs her without looking up from fixing her plate.
The older woman puts her hand over her heart and gasps, “Oh my dear, I am so sorry. Sounds like your sister is a whore and your fiancé is your ex-fiancé I hope?” she winks at me.
I like this woman. I want to be her when I get that age.
“Yes, to both questions. But I haven’t spoken to them since I ran out of the house. Everyone is blowing up my phone right now but I don’t want to talk to them.” I sigh.
She gestures to me to sit, “Sit honey, eat as much as you want, there is plenty. You are welcome to stay here if you need a place to stay.” She tells me like it’s no big deal. “We can give you a job here on the farm if that’s something you would be okay with doing.” She states with a grin.
I cough taking a bite from my plate and hearing her words at the same time. “Oh, no ma’am, I wouldn’t want to impose.” I answer.
“Nonsense.” she says waving me off and sitting a glass of orange juice for me to drink.
“Thank you.” I reply taking the cup and drinking my cough down.
She continues, “Really, it’s no problem. We have the room, and we need the help. This farm takes a lot of work, we have foals being born in a few weeks. Megan can show you the ropes around here.” She smiles as she sits down to eat too. “We already planned on finding someone to help. You just made it easy.” She laughs. “My name’s Margaret, honey. You just let me know if you need anything. You can sleep in the spare bedroom upstairs.”
I sit in shock, not really sure what to say.
Bang!I startle in my seat as the screen door flies open and crashes against the door frame as someone enters behind me.
“Smells delicious, Grandma!” the males voice says behind me. He walks closer and pulls his seat out to sit down beside me, his eyes meet mine and they widen.
“You?!” I snarl.
“Oh, hell.” He says scooting his seat away from me.
Megan points her finger at me and back at the guy. “Y’all know each other?” she asks him confused.
“Not really.” He replies.
She looks at him as if she’s not buying it, but I help her after I roll my eyes.
“I know all I need to know about him.” I say, “He basically told me I was eating too much at Nana’s while I was in line fixing my plate.”
Margaret gasps and he puts his hands on his hips.
“I said no such thing.” He starts, “I just said that I was shocked you ate so much.” He says, finally sitting down.
“Collin!” Margaret throws a napkin at him. “Have I not taught you anything over the years?” she snarls at him. “That’s no way to talk to a lady.”
He looks at me, “She is no lady. I imagine she’s The Devil himself with the looks she gives.” He starts fixing his plate.
Megan giggles and he looks at her.
“What’s so funny?” he asks her with a crooked eyebrow.
“Meet your new farm helper.” She points at me.
He drops his fork. Biscuit and gravy fly all over the table, “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me?”
Megan and I giggle so hard until we are crying and by the look his grandma is giving him, I am quite sure she wants to wash his mouth out with soap.