CHAPTER THREE
Later that day, Misty looked at her purchases with satisfaction.
Each additional decorative touch made the space inside the cabin even more attractive.
She added quilted pillows in a rainbow of colors to the off-white couch and to the two overstuffed green chairs by the fireplace.
She’d bought two small side tables for each chair and found a matching coffee table to place in front of the couch, all for sale at a furniture store Hazel wanted to show her.
Best of all, she’d found a painting to go over the fireplace mantel.
One that reminded her of David’s family park, featuring flowers and a stone bench.
She placed the flowers David had given her on the coffee table and stood back to admire them.
They were ideal. As she stared at them, she wondered if Petals, the local flower shop, needed help on the weekends.
If she was going to make a change from depending on her sister, that might be a better way to earn extra money than working at the café.
She’d have to see how the school year went before adding more work to her schedule.
After adding the finishing touches to the room, Misty loaded the box of trash into her car and went to the dump. In a small town like theirs, the local dump was often a source for exchanging trash for usable items people placed to one side for anyone who wanted them.
When she arrived, she parked by the entrance, carried her box over to the trash section, and studied the pile of old furniture and items off to the side. She picked up a small metal and glass table for the deck. A fresh coat of paint would make it seem like new.
Carrying her treasure to her car, Misty was thrilled by how the day was turning out.
###
When Misty entered Jake’s that evening and saw all her friends, any idea of going to bed early fled. This group filled her world with their friendliness and kindness.
Ross Roberts spoke as she sat at one of the large tables. “Looks like we’re going to have another softball game fundraiser. I’ll be acting as an umpire, nothing more. But I can’t vouch for what my fiancée will do.”
Several people laughed. Melissa had run into Ross at the last baseball fundraiser, causing an injury that required him to have knee replacement surgery.
“You’ll have to choose your teammates wisely,” commented Melissa, causing more laughter.
David didn’t appear, but Misty was happy to talk and joke around with other friends. She especially liked how Nettie and Jason fit into the group. Nettie had even volunteered to play ball. It was important because owning the Café meant participating actively in the local activities.
Taylor announced that following the game, a summer picnic for the players would be held at the Lilac Lake Cottage that her grandmother, GG, had given her and her two sisters.
“Everybody bring a dish to share; we’ll supply the rest,” said Taylor.
Dirk’s fiancée, Samantha Waters, offered to handle publicity for the game. She was a marketing person who’d given up her job in Washington, D.C., to move in with Dirk. And though she was still getting used to small-town living, she was easy to be with.
Misty prepared to leave the group right after Hazel left with Mike Dawson. As Ross’s partner in the sports center and a former tennis star, Mike was a little intense but seemed to get along well with Hazel. Misty was happy to see it.
As she headed out, Whitney said, “Why don’t Nick and I give you a ride home?”
“Thanks,” said Misty, aware of their protection, reminding her of the marked-up books and how threatened she still felt by Vince.
Determined to focus on something else, Misty eagerly told Whitney about her find at the dump.
She couldn’t let unhappy memories destroy the new life she was creating for herself.
###
A few days later, as she’d done each morning, Misty got up, walked to “David’s Park” for a few moments of reflection, and then walked into town for coffee. Too soon, school would start, and she’d lose the opportunity to do so.
This morning, the sun was rising in a pinkish dawn, part of an expected heat wave underway. She dressed in shorts and a tank top, put on her walking shoes and socks, grabbed a sports towel and her phone, and headed out.
The humid air clung to her like a soggy wool sweater, but she kept moving. If she were lucky, David would be at the park. She wanted to make sure he was all right because he hadn’t been to Jake’s in a while.
When she reached the entrance, she saw David talking to the red-haired woman as they studied one of the flower beds. He looked up, saw her, and waved.
She went over to him. “Hi, nice to see you here. We’ve missed you at Jake’s.”
“Yes, sorry, I’ve been busy doing some landscaping work at The Meadows,” he said, smiling at her. “Meet my mother, Susie Graham. Mom, this is Misty Owens.”
His mother held out her hand, and Misty shook it. “It’s nice to meet you.”
Susie said, “You’re Crystal Owens’ younger sister. Right?”
“Yes, I am,” said Misty.
“I’ve been staying close to home these past few years,” said David’s mother. “It seems a lot of young people are returning to town. It’s nice to meet you. You were here in the park a few days ago, weren’t you?”
“Yes. It’s a beautiful spot in our town. I was sorry to hear of your daughter’s death. This garden is such a lovely tribute.”
“I think so, too.” His mother’s eyes filled as she patted David on the back. “We have David to thank for it. He put together the plan and carried it out. He and Lily were very close.”
“I told Misty a little about it,” said David quietly, giving me a steady look.
His mother looked from her son to Misty. “Well, you can imagine how I feel not to have my daughter around. Come visit anytime.”
Surprised but pleased, Misty said, “Thank you. That’s very nice.”
“Years ago, I knew your mother,” said Susie. “It’s a long story from my nursing days. Someday, I’d like to talk to you about it.”
“I’d like that,” said Misty, even more surprised.
David’s mother left, and Misty sat on one of the benches.
“Let me finish up here, and then I’ll drive you into town,” said David. “We can grab a cup of coffee together.”
“Thanks. That’ll be great. It’s too hot to work or walk for any distance.”
“Agreed,” he said, smiling at her.
As she waited for him, her thoughts flew to her mother. She couldn’t imagine what David’s mother had to say about her.
“Ready? Let’s go,” said David, waving her forward.
She went to his truck and climbed in. Even though it was only a few blocks to the Café, Misty was grateful for the ride. She’d already planned to order iced coffee.
She studied the sky. Only a thunderstorm would clear the humidity, but though there were clouds on the horizon, they didn’t look threatening. Maybe this would be a pleasant lake day.
She mentioned it to David, and he grinned. “Let’s call Taylor and see if we can come for a swim.”
“She’s told all of us that we’re welcome to come use the waterfront anytime. Today’s perfect.”
David parked his truck, and they walked inside the Café. At the sight of Taylor working at the table in the corner, David grinned. “You ask Taylor. I’ll get us coffee.”
Misty asked him to get her an iced decaf mocha and headed to the back of the café.
Taylor looked up and smiled pleasantly. “Morning. You’re here early.”
“David and I are grabbing coffee. We were wondering if we could go swimming at your cottage. We won’t be in your way. We just want to cool off, and the rock by your place is great for drying off after a swim.”
“Of course,” said Taylor. “Maybe I’ll join you. Cooper is home, and we can all play hooky. It’s that kind of day. If you see anyone else, invite them.”
“Okay. I’ll go home and get some things. I’ll bring water and plenty of snacks.”
“Great. This is going to be fun. I’m having trouble writing, and this break is just what I need.”
David walked over to them and handed Misty her glass of iced coffee. “Is it a go?”
Taylor gave him a thumbs up. “A perfect summer day. I’m going home to tell Cooper. See you soon.”
As Taylor started to pack up, Misty walked out of the Café with David.
###
After patiently waiting for Misty to change into her bikini and fill a small cooler with bottles of water, sodas, and snacks, David drove them to the cottage Taylor owned with her two sisters.
Taylor greeted them. “Cooper and I have decided to make this an impromptu summer party this afternoon. Thank you for coming, and thanks for the goodies. Whitney is making a couple of salads, and Dani is bringing hot dogs and rolls. Heaven knows what everyone else is bringing, but I’m not worried. It always works out.”
Cooper appeared. Tall with chocolate-brown hair and hazel eyes behind the horn-rimmed glasses he wore, he’d become a favorite at Jake’s, where his wry humor made them laugh. David, too, had a fun sense of humor. But then, it was a group that worked hard and played hard.
Cooper and David shook hands. “A day off? Cooper asked him.
“Yes. At this time of summer, when it’s this hot, we try to give our staff weekends off when we can,” said David. “Fall is a busy time for us.”
“I’ve got coffee, water, juice, and sodas set up in the kitchen,” said Taylor. “Help yourself. Cooper is going to get some beer for later.”
Outside, Misty stood a moment, gazing at the three-story, gray-shingled house.
For years it had been known as a spooky house with a real ghost. After Taylor’s grandmother gave her and her sisters the house with the promise to fix it up and live in it for at least six months every year, they’d changed it completely, including getting rid of the ghost.