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“It surely does. You’re doing a great job, Helen. Only three months in and look at what you’ve accomplished.” Genevieve checked her rearview mirror before pulling into traffic. “Rumor has it there’s been a flurry of resignations at city hall.”
“Yes. All relatives of the former mayor.”
“Excellent news. I’ve also noticed some new stop signs around town.”
“Six new ones installed within the Lake in the Clouds city limits this month.” Helen waved at a neighbor out walking her dog, then took a moment to study her sister. “You look lovely today, Genevieve. I must admit I expected you to be down in the dumps because you’ve been dreading this birthday so much. But you’re positively glowing.”
“It’s my new face cream. I have a sample in my purse. Remind me to give it to you.”
Helen searched around the seat between her and Genevieve. “I’ll get it now before we forget.”
“You can’t. Can you believe this? I forgot my purse, too! I left it at Willow’s yesterday. We’ll have to drop by and pick it up now on our way out of town.”
“Oh. Well, maybe we should go to Raindrop first.”
“No, we shouldn’t. That would be completely out of our way.”
Helen frowned. “But what if Willow isn’t home? I’m sure I heard her say they were getting up early and going somewhere today.”
Genevieve waved away the protest. “I have a key. Besides, I’m pretty sure I left it on the porch.”
“Oh. Well, okay. That’s all right, I guess.”
“Yes, it is.” Genevieve bit the inside of her mouth to keep her grin from spreading too wide.
They hashed over Thanksgiving dinner during the drive, with the consensus being that Noah made a nice, flaky pie-crust and Willow had their mother’s bread dressing down to a T. Next, talk turned to Christmas shopping status and Helen confessed to a first. “I only have two gifts left to buy.”
“What? Today is Black Friday and you’re almost done? Who are you and what have you done with my sister?”
Helen grinned. “It’s all my new city manager’s fault. We made a bet to see who could finish first.”
“Nicole Vandersall is amazing,” Genevieve observed. “She’s a good hire.”
“I know. Lake in the Clouds is in good hands with her. My own workload is a fraction of what it was when she came on board six weeks ago. I’m well on my way to being a figurehead mayor.”
Genevieve frowned. “Does that bother you?”
Helen shook her head. “No, not at all. I ran for mayor because I wanted to fix things, not because I wanted a job.”
“That sounds about right,” Genevieve replied, unable to keep the smile off her lips as she turned onto the road that led to Willow’s home—once one passed the Triple T Ranch property. Not that they would pass the Triple T Ranch property today. This was their destination.
Helen’s eyes widened as she spied the hot-air balloon tethered to the ground in the middle of Gage Throckmorton’s pasture. “Look at that, Genevieve. Isn’t that part of Gage’s ranch? What’s he doing with a balloon on his property today?”
“Why, I do believe itispart of Gage’s ranch.” Genevieve slowed as she approached the open gate and turned into the pasture. “Let’s see, why don’t we?”
“Oh, Genevieve. We don’t have time.”
“Sure we do. The sands of my hourglass are just dribbling.”
Helen sighed. “Have you been watching soap operas again?”
Genevieve drove her vehicle up close to the balloon, the envelope a swirl in a palette of blue, purple, teal, peach, and pink. “Isn’t it pretty?”
“Your favorite colors.”
“I know.” Genevieve parked and shut off the engine. She got out of the SUV, removed a tote from her backseat, and handed it to Helen as she exited the vehicle. “These are your boots. And a warmer jacket. You’ll want to slip them on.”
“What? What! What is this, Genevieve?”
