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“Indeed.”
“You could be more helpful.”
“I’m old. This is how I amuse myself.”
I rolled my eyes. And because I was still thinking of the sea glass and seaweed scent, I said, “Do you believe in ghosts, Estrelle?”
“Do you, Ava?”
I thought long and hard on how to answer. “I believe insomething.”
Her silvery eyes glinted behind her veil. “As do I.”
I glanced toward the storage area, where Maggie still hid. “She’s going to take the news about Dez badly, isn’t she?”
“You cannot stop the storm, Ava, but know the sun will shine again.”
I winced, but when the door opened and someone I didn’t recognize came inside, I forced a smile. “Welcome to Magpie’s,” I said, feeling like I’d been saying it my whole life long.
A half hour later, Maggie still hadn’t emerged from the storeroom, Estrelle was on her second hot chocolate, and Sam had just passed by the front window. I’d been handling customers on my own and wasn’t the least stressed by the responsibility. I barely recognized myself these days.
This suntanned, ghost-talking, fire-stopping, friend-making person. I’d taken charge of my health, was becoming more outgoing, and wasn’t the least bit scared of the steam wand anymore.
Yet, at the same time, I didn’t really feel like I’d changed that much. I was stillme. I was just… spreading my wings.
As Sam came inside, I heard a softquabarkand said to him, “I really need to talk Maggie into letting pets in here.”
“I think that’s more a health department thing,” he said.
“I’m sure they won’t mind.”
He laughed and ordered an iced caramel latte and a whippy cup. “Thanks again for taking care of Norman yesterday.”
I started the espresso brewing. “Anytime. I love him.”
He smiled. “I didn’t think I was going to get him to come home.”
“Molly’s still mad he didn’t stay.” She’d been pouting under the bed when I left this morning.
“I think we can arrange a playdate.”
I smiled as I pumped caramel into the cup. “I think she’d like that.”
“Norman too.”
I glanced up, met his gaze, and then we both looked away at the same time.
And I couldn’t help thinking that maybe, just maybe, Juniper wasn’t the only one stealing my heart around here.
“Oh,” he said after an awkward pause, “I stopped to get a scratch ticket on my way back last night.”
I picked up the milk jug. “How’d we do?”
Before he could say anything, the door swung open and Hannah ran inside in a flurry of blue tulle and flashing pink lights, saying, “Miz Ava! Miz Ava! Is Junebear ready?”
“Land sakes, child,” Jolly said, laughing. “Say hello first. Wait your turn.”
Hannah glanced up at her grandmother, then at me. “Hi, Miz Ava!”
