Chapter Twenty-Seven
Twenty-Seven
A Pearl of Wisdom
from Nettie Getchell
“Always remember, darlin’, if no one died, it can be fixed.”
Tallulah
The weather was perfect for Katy’s party. Warm but not too hot. Mostly clear skies with only a few puffy clouds.
Papaw and Juliet had worked tirelessly all day, doing last-minute shopping, picking up the cake, cleaning, setting up the chairs and tables. Juliet had been a godsend in the kitchen, prepping food for the grill, setting up snack trays, and creating a beautiful charcuterie board.
“I might not be able to cook,” she had said with a bright smile, “but I can arrange.”
Aunt Maeve—with Callum’s help—had strung party lights through the trees and along the fence.
Jake and Papaw had set up a croquet court in the side yard and hung the pin-the-tail-on-the-dragon on the back porch.
Renny, who upon meeting Jake had said to me, “I completely understand,” had parked himself next to the helium tank and filled every single balloon I’d bought.
I recognized they hadn’t done all this just for Katy.
They’d done it for me as well.
My heart was full.
So full.
The only thing that would make this party better, fifteen minutes after it had started, was if Evanthe showed up.
So far, however, there was no sign of her.
As I set out trays on the food table, I glanced at Katy. She was playing a round of croquet with her friends, including Daisy, who kept trying to fetch the balls.
It was mayhem.
It was perfect.
How happy she was today was doing my heart good.
I just hoped that later, once the glow wore off, she wouldn’t dwell on who should’ve been here and wasn’t. Scott.
Juliet came out of the house, a big bowl of macaroni salad in hand. It seemed we had enough food to feed all of Forget-Me-Not.
“When do you think you’ll tell them?” She nodded to Aunt Maeve, Isabel, Nettie, Vera, and Renny, who were sitting in a horseshoe shape of folding chairs in the shade of the tent, out of the late-day sun.
Juliet had been with me in the kitchen ten minutes ago when Georgia arrived. As soon as her daughter, Zoe, darted into the backyard to find Katy, Georgia started bouncing up and down. “You got it! You got the house.”
I’d nearly cried right then and there and started bouncing with her.
“We can do all the paperwork later,” Georgia said, “but I couldn’t wait to tell you. I got the call on the ride over.”
“Thank you,” I said, feeling the sting of tears in my eyes.
“You’re most welcome. It’s my pleasure. Truly.”
I’d looked between her and Juliet. “Let’s keep this between us for now, okay? I don’t want to detract from Katy’s big day.”
Both had promised while giving me big hugs.
“They’re going to be beyond excited for you,” Juliet added now, adjusting one of the battery-operated fans on the table that we were using to help keep bugs away.
I smiled at the group as they chitchatted about the Flour Festival next weekend. Aunt Maeve was currently holding Mary Joy, who was cooing at the lights strung along the canopy. She was smitten with those lights.
I said, “I’ll probably tell Papaw tonight and everyone else tomorrow.”
He’d been nothing but encouraging this past week about me buying the Library House, but I almost hated to tell him I was officially under contract. I’d loved my time here with him, and suddenly moving felt like a goodbye.
And I didn’t like goodbyes.
I turned and looked toward the back of the yard, where Papaw, Callum, Jake, Mr. Daniels, and Georgia were standing between two maple trees, debating on how best to rig up the drago-corn, which looked very little like either creature but was absolutely beastly.
The blue glitter took it to a whole other level.
I adored it. So had Katy.
The appearance of Mr. Daniels had come as a bit of a surprise, but it turned out Papaw had invited him. Katy had taken the news in stride but barely spared him a glance when he said hello and wished her a happy birthday.
I was going to have to talk to her about forgiveness and grace.
Tomorrow.
Today was for celebrating.
Speaking of … I smiled at Juliet. Grinned, really.
“What?” she asked.
“You and Callum?”
Her cheeks started glowing.
I nudged her with my elbow. “I’m just saying, I noticed you two have been awfully chummy today. Are you dating?”
She threw a look his way, smiled. “I’m not really sure what we’re doing, but we’re determined to enjoy it for as long as we can.”
I wasn’t sure I could do the same if I were in her shoes, knowing I’d be leaving soon. I just couldn’t risk getting hurt like that. Then I wondered if it was possible that a relationship between them would end up keeping Juliet here, in Forget-Me-Not.
A little glimmer of hope sparked within me at the thought, because I wanted her to stay—I wanted to continue the friendship we’d begun.
“And what about you and Jake?” she asked, turning the tables. “I’ve noticed you two being awfully chummy today.”
I had the grace to laugh, because she was right.
I stole a surreptitious glance at him as he tied one end of a rope around a maple trunk.
He’d been such a huge help today. He’d run to the store for ice.
Filled coolers. Lugged them around the backyard, trying to find the perfect shady spot.
He’d arranged tables, covered them in dragon-y tablecloths.
He’d charmed Renny and Aunt Maeve and, well, just about everyone he met.
“We’re…” I shook my head. “You know, I’m not really sure what we are. Friends, I guess.”
It seemed deeper than that, but I couldn’t say what it was, this feeling. Maybe I’d fallen for him. No. It was too soon for that. But maybe I was falling.
She dropped her voice. “Would you like to be more than that?”
I stepped way outside my comfort zone by saying, “I think so.”
As if sensing he was being watched, Jake looked my way. Caught me staring. He smiled, and my insides went mushy.
Juliet said, “Hmm. If I had to guess, I’d say he feels the same way.”
I blew out a breath and waved her off, not wanting to get my hopes up. “I’m going to grab the platters for the grill. I’ll be right back.”
“Do you want some help?”
“Thanks, but I’ve got it.”
A small, high-pitched roar came from the side yard as someone made a good croquet shot, and I was smiling as I hurried into the house.
Only to stop dead in my tracks once I reached the kitchen.
Evanthe was studying the cake on the island.
She was dressed in a ruffled blouse and flowy linen pants. Her braid was coiled in a low bun at the nape of her neck. In her hands, she held a gift that was wrapped in blue paper topped with a sparkly blue bow.
“This is beautiful,” she said, eyeing the cake’s details.
It was. A gold-dusted fondant 3D dragon topped a large sheet cake, its tail curling around an outer edge. The icing mimicked dragon scales, and there were gold sugar beads scattered here and there, looking like treasure.
“The bakery did an amazing job,” I said, then I came to my senses. “When did you get here?”
“Only moments ago. The door was open.”
I nodded. “I’m glad you’re here. I saved a seat for you out—”
She cut me off. “I can’t stay.”
My heart fell. “No?”
She glanced around the house and offered a sad smile. “I see Tenn has embraced simplicity.”
With a start, I realized she probably hadn’t been inside since Mamaw passed away.
“Except for the dining room,” I said.
She turned, then let out a huff that sounded like a laugh. “June would pitch a fit if she saw that.”
I smiled. “Definitely.”
Her gaze lingered for a little longer before she took a deep breath and turned back to me, sorrow in her eyes. “She was the best person I’ve ever known. She deserved so much better from me.”
Swallowing hard over a sudden swell of emotion, I could almost feel her grief and suddenly understood why it might be difficult for her to be here. To be reminded of loss. To remember all the time she hadn’t spent with Mamaw, after her diagnosis.
“Mamaw never—”
“Please give my best to Katy and thank her for the invitation.”
She thrust the present at me; then, with a kick of her heel, she rushed down the hallway. As she shoved open the screen door, I hurried after her, thinking about how Nettie had once told me that the only way out was through.
I called out after her, “Are you sure you can’t stay?”
She released the kickstand on her bike and looked back at me. I could tell from the lift of her chin, the set of her shoulders, and the flatness in her eyes that she had once again retreated behind her carefully crafted walls.
Her voice was toneless as she said, “I’ll see you on Tuesday, Tallulah.”
Baby steps, I thought as she put on her helmet and quickly pedaled away. Even though she hadn’t stayed, she had shown up today. That was a big deal. It was, perhaps, the start of a new beginning, a new chapter, for Evanthe and me.
Which had me thinking about Mamaw. And how proud she’d be right about now.
Of both of us.
A couple of hours later, the pinata lay broken and battered on the lawn. All the candy had been scooped up, squirreled away.
Katy currently sat on a blanket on the grass, surrounded by her friends and discarded wrapping paper from the presents she’d already opened. Everyone else was fanned out around Katy, except for Daisy, who had run herself ragged and was napping underneath a table.
“This one is from Juliet,” Katy said, then tore off the wrapping paper with wild abandon. When she opened the box, she simply stared for a moment, before seeking out Juliet, who was standing next to me. There was adoration in Katy’s eyes, shining behind her glasses. “I love it! Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” Juliet said.
“What is it, sprout?” Papaw asked.
Katy carefully reached into the box and lifted up a stunning blue dream catcher, which was intricately webbed with gold thread and beaded with the colors of the rainbow. Feathers dangled from the bottom, swaying gracefully in the breeze. All of Katy’s friends moved in for a closer look.
“Did you make that?” I whispered to Juliet.
She nodded.
“It’s beautiful.”