Page 19 of Save a Wish

“I am having a little trouble getting started,” Sadie said. “I know what services I want to provide and how to do them, but structuring it all into a business that will work and reaching clients are things I don’t have any experience with.”

“Exactly what Beckett does for us.” Vanessa strode out of the dressing room with two piles of clothing draped over her arms. She unloaded one pile on the discard rack then came to stand near me with the clothes she intended to buy. “Why don’t you come over to Hartley’s Nest and meet with Beckett? Share your vision for your business and I’m sure he can map out the financial, marketing, and technological sides for you.” She gave my shoe a little kick. “Right, Beckett?”

I glared at my sister, but I was rather bored this week, and my family members and gaming buddies were busy with their significant others. I technically had free time to spare.

The way Sadie looked at me with a hopeful arch to her eyebrows was having an effect on me as well.

Maybe her toned legs in those leggings had hypnotized me too.

“Fine,” I said as I stood. “I’ll help you.”

Vanessa and Sadie both clapped and did little jumps, but then Sadie’s face grew solemn.

“I can’t pay you, Beckett,” she said. “So I understand if you don’t want to take on this task.”

“He doesn’t care about that,” Vanessa said. “We Hartleys love doing good deeds.” My sister looped her arm around mine and gave it a squeeze. “Besides maybe you could exchange services. Like, Beckett helps you with your business and you help him with his aura.”

“My aura doesn’t need help,” I said.

Vanessa and Sadie gave each other a look that definitely said they disagreed.

“Okay,” Sadie said. “I’ll trade you business help for a sound bath. You’ll love it.”

Love it? I had my doubts.

Chapter Seven

Sadie

I packed the root chakra singing bowl into its padded case and nested the sacral and throat ones inside it. I’d been lucky to find a used set of seven, pure-white, crystal, chakra singing bowls that were in perfect condition at an antique shop in Maplehaven, a neighboring town. They’d been expensive, but I’d sold a few pieces of royal jewelry I’d brought along on my adventure and they were worth more than I’d expected. I’d been able to fund my new mindfulness wardrobe, keep the cabin stocked with food, and put gas in the car Hank had allowed me to use.

Driving, however, had taken some re-learning. Although I had been given lessons back home, I hadn’t actually been behind the wheel of a vehicle in years. I’d gotten in the swing of it again after a few days, and getting around Greenridge and the neighboring towns wasn’t all that hard with so little traffic.

I was doing my best to blend in here and had big hopes about this business venture of mine. Especially now that Beckett had agreed to help me. If he was as skilled as his sister claimed, he’d be just the thing I needed to get my services out to the people.

That interaction with Beckett at the clothing store had been something that kept cycling through my mind as I outlined the offerings I wanted to include in my business. I’d been surprised to find him sitting in the ladies dressing room area. I’d been even more surprised to discover how much I liked seeing him again. He’d looked fetching in a pair of those rough fabric pants I’d come to learn were called jeans here in the States. A plaid shirt in harvest tones under a soft, brown vest paired nicely with the jeans, and stylish brown boots finished off the outfit. His hair and beard were tidy also. He was clearly an attractive man. One I didn’t mind looking at.

But that aura . . . I couldn’t wait to help him with that.

I zipped the singing bowl case and gently patted the top. “Hopefully, a sound bath will brighten Beckett’s aura and improve his energy.”

I had been practicing with the bowls for a few days and was ready for that sound bath with Beckett today at Hartley’s Nest. I’d given him my phone number when Vanessa asked for it and I’d been forced to fiddle with the phone Orla had given me so I could make arrangements with Beckett.

At first, a chiming sound had come from my suitcase after I’d returned home from my shopping excursion. It had taken me a while to discover the phone was the source of the noise. When I’d tapped the screen, I’d seen Beckett’s name and a little jolt of excitement had rippled through me. He’d actually reached out. He’d said he would, but I’d felt his reluctance in the store.

I probably shouldn’t have commented on his aura.

Twice since I’d met him.

The message he’d sent offered a time to meet the following week and the address of Hartley’s Nest. I’d figured out how to reply and told him I’d be there.

And now it was time to follow through.

Technically, Beckett would be my very first customer. I believed in sound baths and the healing they could provide, but would Beckett’s negative attitude toward the practice interrupt the flow of the benefits? I’d have to make sure he felt better after the sound bath or he might not agree to help me set up my business. Who would get involved in something they didn’t think actually worked?

I drew in a deep breath, held it for a few moments, then slowly sifted it out in an attempt to center myself. A mindfulness practitioner had to be . . . well, mindful. I couldn’t let my fears sabotage me before I even got started. So far, I loved it here in Greenridge. I had a nice cabin as shelter, a car to drive, check-ins from Hank, and the potential for a flourishing career that was something of my own creating. None of this would be possible if I’d stayed in Verdalach and married Cian.

After another few deep breaths, I shouldered a tote bag stuffed with notes I’d made about the business I wanted to build and picked up the two cases full of singing bowls. I left the cabin, loaded the car, and set off to Hartley’s Nest.