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It didn’t end up mattering what happened at the fundraiser, because Jade was able to make it. She had to sit in a chair all day and had to be under an umbrella to shade her injuries, but she made it.
“If you need anything at all from me, let me know,” I said as we finished setting up the small booth they had been able to put together. “I’m more than willing to run errands or run around looking for someone or something for you two. Especially since half of you are out of commission as far as running around goes.” I didn’t want to come across as clingy, but I really wanted to make sure Jade was okay. This would be a long day for her after such significant injuries.
“Thank you, Jesse,” Jade said. “I think we’ll be all right, but if my throat acts up, I’m sending you to get ice cream.” She grinned, and it might have been my imagination, but I think the sun got a little brighter.
“A vanilla sundae with whipped cream and a cherry. I know,” I said with a soft smile. “Now, is that all you need of me for now? Setting up the tables?”
“If you could help me set up the purses, I’d definitely appreciate it,” Maria said.
I did exactly that, and the fundraiser started shortly after we had the booth all set up. Jade sat behind the table of jewelry, which was sparkling in the light that had begun to come through the cracks in the tarp and the umbrella. It was stunning. It showed exactly how beautiful her jewelry could be for photography or for any event someone could think of. I thought it was a great way to show off how her jewelry could be used.
I sat to the side, letting Maria and Jade interact with the customers. The fundraiser itself wasn’t the most exciting thing in the world for me. But I could tell that others were having fun. There were food stands, lemonade stands, and even some entertainers who had decided that they could get in on the fun. One of them was a fire breather, and that had always drawn a crowd from what I understood. I was just glad to see that everyone was having fun.
As people came by and noticed the sparkling jewelry, Jade’s display dwindled. No one could walk away from the booth without gettingsomethingfrom her.
By the end of the day, all Jade had to take down were her displays. Maria had sold all but two of the purses they had brought – including the ones in the cars that I had been sent to get when the stock in the booth ran low.
Jade also ended up selling out of her entire inventory online, so the fundraiser had gone rather well for our little booth. AsI walked with Jade and Maria back to the truck, Jade wore an absolutely glowing smile. As did Maria.
“That was so much fun!” Maria said. “I want to do this again next year. I think if we’re careful and reserve stock all year long, we could do even better and raise even more money for you guys. This year was kind of haphazard because we just got started in the shop.”
“I’m somewhat shocked you sold out. We’re not used to someone selling out like that,” I admitted. “From what I’ve heard from the chief, no one sells out. Not like this. A few might run out of a particular product, but no one legitimately sells out their entire inventory on the day of the fundraiser.”
“It wasn’t our entire inventory,” Jade corrected him. “We still have a fully-stocked shop to run! But yes, we did sell out all of our inventory that we’d allotted for the fundraiser.” She did a little happy dance through the parking lot.
“Well, still,” I said. “Did you want to get a ride home with me or were you ladies going to swing by your store?”
“I don’t need to go to the store,” Maria said, waving her hand. “I’m planning on going straight home, putting my feet up, and celebrating with a glass of wine. We did well today.”
I helped Jade up into the truck, which we had decided would be the only vehicle we’d use today because it had more space for inventory if we needed it at the end of the day. With that, we all headed home.
As I drove, Jade fell fast asleep in the seat beside me. I didn’t mind it. She had had a long week, and to go do this after what had happened at the store was a testament of her strength to me.
As we drove down the road, I figured she just might be the most wonderful person I’d ever met.
Chapter twenty-six
Twenty-Six: Jade
The next three months were amazing. The store flourished but more importantly, Jesse and I flourished. I was falling head over heels in love with this guy. He was tender and considerate, made me laugh, and would hold me so affectionately in his arms. When I told him about my feelings for him, he whispered in my ear that he loved me too.
Then, one weekend, he decided it was time for me to see the ranch and meet his family. We enjoyed a beautiful drive, although I drifted in and out of sleep a couple of times. I’d stayed up late the night before, beading as always.
Maria’s and my store was thriving. We’d fixed everything up after the fire, and business was booming. We sold at least one thing every day (even on the slow ones!) and most weekends we burned through our inventory like crazy.
Still a ways out from the ranch, Jesse woke me when he started pointing out some of the property of the ranch owners. It was amazing. As far as the eye could see.
When we arrived at the ranch, I was stunned. This had to be the most spectacular log cabin I had ever seen. It was a mansion!A big veranda, huge wooden double doors serving as the main entrance, and gigantic windows all around.
Jesse excused himself for a moment and jogged over to one of the workers coming out of one of the smaller buildings on the property. He returned within a minute. We entered the house through the double doors.
Inside was even more breath-taking — vaulted ceilings, fireplaces, spacious rooms.
“Seeing your mouth wide open reminds me that I’m hungry,” Jesse mused. “Let me see what I can find in the kitchen. Make yourself comfortable.”
I wasn’t sure how he expected me to just chill on a couch when there was so much to look at! I wandered to a large window to take in the view. All that kept going through my mind was “this is absolutely amazing.”
After what seemed like only a few minutes, Jesse called to me from the dining room. I could see him from where I stood with all the open rooms. He set a pizza down at the table. I joined him.
