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“Oh, now, that would be lovely. It’s next Sunday at the outdoor pavilion of the vineyard.” She clasped her hands together in excitement.
Mama burst through the swinging door, having heard every word of our exchange.
“This is why I have her running the place, Abby dear. She knows exactly what needs to be done to keep my people happy.” She pinched my cheek and blew me a kiss as she walked by me.
“Mama!” I reached for my cheek and rubbed away the dull pain left behind as I rolled my eyes. I suddenly felt seven years old again.
Abigail and my mother, Muriel, shared a laugh, and mama asked her for updated pictures of the grands. The conversation quickly shifted to whom they saw flirting with whom recently.
You could always count on mama to know all the town’s happenings.
I found the pink floral dress Abigail requested, which would make it just in time.
“Order’s placed, Abigail. Looks like it’ll be arriving just in time for Princess Maggie.” A giant grin spread across my face when I saw how she lit up.
“Ooh! That just makes me so happy!” Abigail beamed and threw her arms around me from across the counter.
“It’s nothing. Please, send your family my regards. You can pay when you come to pick it up.” I winked.
You would’ve thought the woman just won the lottery from the way she threw her hands up in excitement.
“Lunch on Tuesday, Muriel?” She called to mama, who was folding shirts in the middle of the shop.
“Wouldn’t miss it, Abby dear!” Mama replied with a nod.
The bell rang, notifying us that Abigail had departed.
“What would I do without ya, kid?” Mama said, smiling down at the shirt she was working on.
“Right? To think. I could’ve been some high faluttin’ executive in the big city by now,” I teased.
I grabbed my crossbody purse from under the register and went to mama to kiss her on the cheek.
“Where you runnin’ off to in such a hurry, baby?” She looked at me with a hopeful expression.
“No, mama. It’s not a date.” I saw her shoulders visibly lower. Good lord, this woman was persistent.
“An old lady can hope.” She wrinkled her nose in my direction. I gave her a peck on the cheek.
“Just meeting an old friend for lunch. She’s in town for the day.” I called back to her as I headed to the door. I had to get out before she had a chance to press me with more questions.
The familiar sound of the bell dinged, and I stepped out into the sunny day. A car passing by beeped at me, and a few teens I volunteered with at the local animal shelter waved at me cheerfully. I waved back, smiling as they drove by.
Oh, Cedar Grove. This would always be home.
I stepped into Jerri’s Bar and Grill. It was the only full-service restaurant in the tiny town square just off Main Street where mama’s boutique had been running since her own mama owned the place. In my hometown, businesses lasted through generations. No mergers and bailouts here. Well, unless you count Hidden Creek Winery, which was bought a few years back from a local who helped the old couple who used to own it with their retirement. It has brought business to the town from all over the US ever since.
Familiar faces and lasting establishments are what I grew up with. But sitting there amongst all the familiar was a new face that seemed out of place in this laid-back town.
She had the aura of old money with her dark, perfectly-tailored blouse and her cream-colored Chanel bag sitting on the table in front of her.
“Lucy!” I waved from the door. Her hazel eyes shot up from the menu, and my college best friend stood up with her arms wide open, waiting for a hug. She looked as gorgeous as ever and all woman now.
“Quinn-a-linn” she squealed, shimmying her shoulders as I ran into her arms. The locals around us were mesmerized by our encounter, and they weren’t much for subtlety.
Whispers broke out around us. I ignored them and just took in my old friend.
“You look amazing!” We both said simultaneously and then burst into laughs while finally taking our seats in the crowded restaurant.
