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Jolly reached out, patted my hand. “It’ll mean the world to Hannah.”
I blinked back tears and went about finishing the order, all the while hoping and wishing and praying Hannah would be okay.
“Bye, Ava, bye!” Hannah yelled when they walked out a few minutes later. I watched through the door as the little girl stopped to give Norman a hug before they finally headed off.
Not a minute later, Sam came back inside.
“Did you know Hannah was having surgery on Friday?”The words slipped out of my mouth before I could even think to filter them.
“I heard that. I can’t even imagine what the Smiths are going through. Norman’s been giving Hannah extra love. He seems to know when people need it most.”
My voice cracked. “She’ll be fine, right?”
He looked my way. “I sure hope so.”
I swallowed hard, met his gaze, and realized suddenly that I wasn’t being the least bit professional. “Sorry. I was just caught off guard by the news. Did you forget something? Or need another dish of whipped cream?”
“I did forget something, actually.” He pulled out his wallet, slapped a twenty-dollar bill on the counter. “Your half of yesterday’s scratch ticket win.”
“Get out! Really?”
“I only lie about fiddle playing.”
I smiled. “And what about guitar playing? Are you going to lie about that?”
I hadn’t heard a fiddle last night. Instead, as I fell asleep I’d heard a sweet but sad melody being played on a guitar.
His gaze narrowed. “Don’t suppose you’re ready to tell me how you can hear me playing in a soundproof studio?”
“I don’t suppose you’re ready to tell me why you don’t want anyone to know you’re playing?”
After an eternal second, he looked down at the money on the counter. “So, twenty dollars is a good day’s win, I think. Don’t you?”
I laughed. “It definitely is. But…” I slowly pushed the money back toward him.
“Let it ride?”
“Let it ride.”
CHAPTER 16MAGGIE
It was sheer stubbornness that pushed me through the town square, steering me along like a strong set of hands on my shoulders.
If they were anyone’s hands, they were Noah’s.
When I’d talked to him earlier, he’d told me that I’d sounded sad.
I turned my face upward, toward the sun, hoping the light would dry the sudden tears in my eyes.
Iwassad. Sad and tired and angry. I wanted a little happiness. And I was on a mission to see if Estrelle was right about finding it.
Forcing one foot in front of the other, I marched myself over to the Beach Mouse Bakery. I felt my resolve weakening as I passed in front of the display window and saw Donovan inside, restocking a bakery case with cinnamon-streusel muffins.
I smiled at the sight of him. He never thought he wanted the bakery life, but he looked perfectly at ease. Like he belonged right where he was.
I was still frozen in my spot when Lily Kirkpatrick stepped out of the bakery carrying a white box with the mouse logo. She smiled. “Maggie, I’m so glad I ran into you. I had a few questions about—”
So help me if she said the sale of the coffee shop.
