The Ladybug Jinx (29 page)

Her eyes stopped. The back of the dress was low cut, almost to her waist. Racier than she planned, but who was there to impress—no one.

“When you’re ready, I’ll be at the counter.” Beth said on the other side of the door causing Liz to lose her train of thought.

She twirled around one last time, secretly wishing she could run home, put on the dress, and seduce her loved one. That wasn’t going to happen unless her hairy dog got excited. And he was already excited enough.

Changing back into her jeans, She glanced at her watch not wanting to be late for her standing lunch date with Jenna, plus she had to stop by The Busy Bee to pick up the yarn tassels she’d ordered earlier in the week.

For the past year, meeting Jenna at The Trembling Cup was a much needed break from the stress of single mommyhood and sole proprietorship.

The two had hit it off right away. She had Jenna to be thankful for this holiday season. Jenna made Liz the talk of the town, going on and on about Liz’s eye for design. After that, small town gossip gave way to a lot of inquiry and clients for The Mole Hole, keeping her a busy woman. And taking off the financial stress was welcomed.

“It was made just for you.” Beth pulled the protective plastic over the dress. “I can’t wait to tell Wendy you bought it.”

Wendy Owens was not only the buyer for Figure 8, but the girlfriend of Grandberry Falls’ Mayor Mitch Dozier.

“That reminds me, I need to give her a call. She wanted a small sofa or loveseat for the mayor’s office.” Liz took a slip of scrap paper out of her purse and jotted a quick note to remind her to make that call.

“We are still over the moon that Mitch won the election,” Beth said.

Grandberry Falls’ old mayor had been in office for over forty years and it was time for a change. Especially with the impending eminent domain case against long-time residence Hazel Greenlee, Jenna’s mom.

“I sure hope he can help Hazel,” Liz said, digging deep into her purse for her wallet.

“I don’t know what’ll happen to business if that outlet mall comes into town.” There was sadness in Beth’s eyes. “I’m afraid The Figure 8 will go under.”

“Don’t worry. I have the same fears, but we will stick by each other.” Liz knew no matter how much she stressed about it, she wouldn’t be able to change fate.

The town was divided over the whole situation. The younger generation wanted the outlet mall, while the older generation wanted Grandberry Falls to stay the same quaint town it was known for. And they were both relying on Mitch to solve the problem so everyone was happy. Including small business owners like Beth and herself.

“Cash or Credit?” Beth’s nails clicked on the register buttons. “One hundred and seventy-five dollars is a steal!”

Liz gulped.

“One-hundred and…” Her mind raced. She’d never spent that kind of money on a dress for herself

“One-hundred and seventy-five dollars,” Beth confirmed.

“Mmm…”Liz debated on whether to put the dress back, but took out her credit card.

She liked the dress and she deserved to look good if she had to go to the party—and she had to go.

“Credit.”

“I’ve got it nice and sealed.” Beth handed the dress over the counter. “We are supposed to get over three inches.” She glanced out the windows.

The falling snow had already covered the tops of cars, and the sidewalk outside.

“And if you need a wrap, I’ll be more than happy to tell Wendy to keep her eye peeled next week when she heads down to the market.”

Of course she needed a wrap, but she sure wasn’t going to be spending much more on herself.

“I might have something at home.” She laughed thinking about how her jean jacket would look overtop the sequined dress. “I’ll let you know.”

Liz wrapped her scarf around her neck and carefully took the dress from Beth. Before she ran across the street to The Busy Bee, she decided to put the dress in her Mercedes SUV—a car she clearly couldn’t afford,

The salesman promised her it would keep her and Hayes safe, traveling back and forth to Cincinnati every other weekend. He was a good salesman using Hayes and safety in the same sentence. And since she did have to take Hayes every other weekend to visit his dad, she did want something reliable. Granted, it wasn’t brand new, but it was still pricey.

Trying not to think about the credit card bill that would greet her in the New Year, She wrapped her coat tightly around her and trotted across the street to the yarn store.

Grandberry Falls offered old world charm with all the luxuries of today. Frequently, Liz perused several of the independent stores for unique treasures for her costumers.

The Busy Bee, made the most wonderful homemade tassels that she loved to hang on door knobs or the switches of lamps, giving it the unique touch she had a knack for.

“You better get in here before you freeze.” Hazel Greenlee cackled, after opening the door of the knitting shop. “You’re going to love the new tassels Clarice made.”

“She never disappoints me.” Liz hugged Jenna’s mom.

Hazel had become Liz’s home-away-from-home mom. Much different from her real mom, Tammy Preston.

Hazel’s bohemian look was much different than Tammy’s women’s country club look.

“I love that shawl.” Liz ran her hands down Hazel’s arm.

“Home Shopping Club,” Hazel boasted.

It was no secret that Hazel loved the Home Shopping Club, and host Paula could sell Hazel anything.

“The colors really go great with your new hair cut.” Liz made sure to complement Hazel on her new ‘do.

Jenna had told her that Hazel wasn’t completely happy with how Belle Greenlee—owner of The Hair Pin and Hazel’s granddaughter, had whacked off Hazel’s hair.

Hazel’s fingertips picked at the short ends next to her ear. “Do you really?”

“Yes, I love it.” Liz wasn’t about to tell Hazel that it was a tad bit short, but she did like it.

“You know that Belle. She takes whatever is going on in New York and tries to incorporate it on me. She even tried talking me into getting hot pink hair extensions.” Hazel rolled her eyes. “Anyways, aren’t you going to meet Jenna?”

“I am, so I better find Clarice.” Liz looked around finally spotting her in the back next to a group of knitters.

“Pearl once!” Clarice’s voice boomed as she grabbed the needles from the middle-aged woman. “Not twice, once. Hold on, Liz. I’ll get those tassels for you once I figure out how to get these needles back on track.”

Liz snickered. She loved that Clarice blamed the needles and not the knitter, although the knitter’s face was flushed red.

“Take your time.” Liz walked around the room.

It might be cold outside, but the warmth of the yarns made the shop very cozy. She didn’t mind waiting. It was just one more thing she liked about Grandberry Falls. The slow pace that made her enjoy life.

She’d never noticed all the different types of yarns. Wool, Mohair, Dishie, Swish Tonal, the spools went on and on lined across the three room house that Clarice had turned into the cozy shop.

Quickly she thumbed through the wool cloaks hanging on the round display.

“Aren’t those beautiful?” Clarice broke the silence in Liz’s head.

“Yes.” Liz held up the black lined one, thinking it just might go with her new sequined dress. “Did you make this?”

“Honey, I can make anything.” Clarice handed the bag of tassels to Liz after Liz put the cloak back on the rack.

“You do a beautiful job.” The clock hanging behind Clarice’s head couldn’t be right.

Liz didn’t have time to make a deal or dally any longer. She needed another cup of coffee to warm her bones, and she could get that meeting Jenna.

“Put it on my tab.” Liz waved behind her. “Hazel, stop on over for a cup of coffee.”

“Naw, I’m gonna run some errands. I think Maggie might be coming in town soon.” Hazel’s eyes light up like fireworks on the Fourth of July.

Maggie was Hazel’s other granddaughter and niece to Jenna. Hazel Greenlee raised Belle and Maggie after their parents were killed in a tragic car crash when they were little ones. From what Liz has heard and seen, Hazel had done an amazing job.

“Oh, good. I can’t wait to meet her.” Liz hugged Hazel goodbye.

Maggie was a lawyer in New York City. She’d left for college and hadn’t come back. She had returned a couple times a year, but not since Liz had lived in Grandberry Falls.

The sound of the falls and the snow-capped rocks looked like a perfect Christmas card. And the carriage lights lining both sides of the street made the dangling Christmas decorations sparkle even more. With all the beauty surrounding her, she had hard time finding the joy, but she had to somehow—for Hayes.

“Over here,” Jenna yelled and waved her hands over the crowd in the coffee shop. “Non-fat, vanilla latte for you.”

“Yum. Just what I need.” Liz laid the bag of tassels on the table, and brushed the snow off her coat. “The snow is really coming down.”

The blizzard outside wasn’t stopping the town folks from getting out. The streets were filled with conversations and Christmas cheer.

“We are supposed to get a couple inches.” Jenna handed Liz a menu.

She put it down. There was no reason for her to look at it. She ordered the same thing week after week.

“I was afraid the snow might keep you away.” Kerri Ann McComb wiped her hands down her Christmas apron causing the bells along the side to jingle.

Kerri Ann was an inspiration to Liz. She didn’t care what people thought, and said it like it was.

She pulled the pen out of her hair and tapped the order pad.

“The usual?” Kerri Ann asked.

“Yes, please. And, I’d like to add a bowl of your soup.” Soup was exactly what Liz needed to take the chill out of her spirit. “Plus, I’d never miss our weekly date. Are these from The Ladybug Florist?”

She picked up the bud vase, admiring the cream, white, and red Poinsettia with holly springs.

“Selma ordered one for each table. Didn’t Celia do an excellent job?” Pride filled Kerri Ann’s voice.

Celia Briggs, the owner of The Ladybug Florist, decorated all of Grandberry Falls. And beautifully.

“I hope she’s back in time to get the fundraiser arrangements done.” Jenna gave a cross look to Kerri Ann.

Kerri Ann should have the inside scoop since she dated Marty, Celia’s father.

“Marty is in Los Angeles at the movie wrap party, and he said there’s a big surprise to tell me when he gets back.” Kerri Ann refilled the coffee cups. “I still can’t believe Sam Barber was living in our town and we didn’t even know it. Much less falling in love with Celia.”

What the luck
, Liz thought about Celia Briggs.

Sam Barber, famous movie star, was escaping his life and wound up in Grandberry Falls—of all places. He even applied to The Ladybug Florist to be Celia’s delivery boy. With a few hiccups, Celia and Sam had fallen in love, and she was doing all the flowers for his movie’s wrap party—in Los Angeles.

“Oh, she’ll be back in time. Then I’m going to spend some time with Marty.” Kerri Ann winked, referring to her relationship she sparked with Marty a few months ago.

Over Kerri Ann’s shoulder, Liz noticed a crowd gathered around a table in the back of The Trembling Cup.

“Kerri Ann, what’s going on back there?” She strained her head.

Kerri Ann looked back, then at Jenna, then at Liz. “Nothing, nothing.” Her voice was rough with anxiety.

“That was strange.” Liz watched Kerri Ann rush back toward the table and quieted the crowd.

Kerri Ann couldn’t fool her. She was the eyes and ears of anything new in town and there was definitely something new in the back of the shop.

Liz wrapped her scarf around her neck.

“And that’s Kerri Ann for you,” Jenna said as soon as she was out of ear shot. “Did you go to The Figure 8? I told Beth to expect you and set you up with a great dress.”

The dress was the last thing on Liz’s mind. They needed to get the fundraiser finalized and that way she’d be able to put this holiday season behind her.

“Yes.” Liz rolled her eyes. “What about you?”

“Me?” Jenna put her hand on her chest. “My situation is different from yours.”

Liz laughed. Everyone in the coffee shop stopped and looked. All except the table in the back that was still crowded with people.

“What? I’m a widow,” Jenna said, reminding Liz of the tragic drunk driving accident that left her without a husband and Ashley fatherless. “You are a divorcee. Let me guess, black dress?”

Liz moved slightly to the right so Kerri Ann could put the food down.

“Yes, but it’s different. You’ll have to wait and see.” Liz jabbed the salad on her fork and dipped it in the dressing cup.

Jenna was going to have to wait.

“Fine. If you’re not going to divvy up the details, I guess we can work on this.” Jenna slapped her hand on the stack of file folders.

With only two weeks until the benefit, Liz wondered how they were going to get all they needed done… done.