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Shirley sighed. “Was I right, Aunt Ella?”
Ella nodded. “They belong together. And she’s got the sight. That wreck turned it on. Nearly dying will do that.”
“This makes me happy,” Shirley said. “The child has grown up alone.”
Ella said nothing, but she already knew Amalie wasn’t alone in the world. She had family. They were still lost to each other, but that would change in the days to come.
The whole family knew how Ella loved her coffee. Two sugars and a splash of cream. Sean was stirring it into the cup, watching Amalie choosing a tiny pecan tart, and a bar cookie filled with fruit, and three colorful meringues.
He leaned closer. “I’m sorry. I feel like Mom and Aunt Ella blindsided you. I didn’t have a clue any of this was happening. Are you okay?”
Amalie’s eyes were bright with unshed tears, but she was smiling.
“I am more okay than you can imagine. It was a gift to treasure. I’ll fill you in later.”
Sean saw the truth on her face and relaxed. If she was good with it, then so was he. After that, it wasn’t long before people began arriving and Sean sat back, watching her turn into Amalie Lincoln, CPA. A woman with a mission.
She was near the door greeting new arrivals, then mingling with the gathering crowd as they admired her office and the painting of Pope Mountain, which had become the centerpiece of her decor.
Michael Devon, the manager of Hotel Devon, had been at the bank next door when he saw her Open House banner and, instead of getting in his car, went in. Herecognized Sean Pope and nearly everyone else in the room and decided the young dark-haired woman shaking hands with everyone must be A. Lincoln, CPA.
“Welcome to Jubilee,” Michael said. “I’m Michael Devon, of Hotel Devon. It’s always great to see new businesses sprouting up.”
“Thank you, Mr. Devon. I’m very excited to be here. I’m Amalie Lincoln. There’s coffee and refreshments on the far table, and I see someone already trying to catch your eye,” she said.
Michael smiled. “That’s Liz Caldwell, my fiancée. She’s the event coordinator at the Serenity Inn.”
“Any relation to the owner, Ray Caldwell?” Amalie asked.
“Her father…and speaking of Ray, that’s him coming in now. Hope you have a great day,” Michael said, and headed across the room to where Liz was standing.
Amalie hadn’t met Ray, but she knew him on sight and was completely focused on him as he came toward her, barely noticing the well-dressed blond coming in behind him.
“Mr. Caldwell! How kind of you to come. I was a guest at your hotel last fall,” Amalie said.
“So I’ve been told. My staff saw your open house notice in the paper and recognized your name. They assured me I should meet you. You must have been a memorable guest.”
Amalie laughed. “I promise I didn’t have wild parties in my room, but I was there for two weeks. I think they thought I’d moved in.”
Ray beamed. “Wonderful! Wonderful! Anyway, I just wanted to come by and welcome you to Jubilee.”
“I am honored. Refreshments are on the table. Help yourself and visit a bit, if you’d like.”
“Thank you,” he said. He picked up one of her business cards from the reception desk and then moved along.
That’s when Amalie noticed the blond. The moment their gazes met, the woman stepped forward and began talking to Amalie, but she wasn’t looking at her. She was staring at all the scars.
It was something Amalie dealt with all the time, but it still irked her that the woman was talking to her ear and neck, and not to her.
“Nice place you have,” the blond said. “I’m Mary Ingalls.”
Amalie said nothing, waiting for the woman to shift her gaze.
All of a sudden, Mary realized the woman hadn’t answered. She shifted her gaze to Amalie’s face, then flushed when she realized the woman had just called her out on her rudeness without saying a word.
“Sorry, I was…I was distracted,” she said.
Amalie nodded graciously. “I noticed.”
