The Magnolia Sisters (Magnolia Sisters #1) - Michelle Major Page 0,38
sun streamed in from the oversized windows facing the street.
“You said she needed more confidence,” Avery told Meredith. “A new wardrobe can do that for people. It’s a fact.”
“She’s. A. Dog.” Meredith bent down to pet the animal, and Spot did her usual flop and roll routine.
Avery had driven over to Raleigh yesterday afternoon, needing to escape her current reality in a way she couldn’t manage in Magnolia. She wasn’t sure what was so comforting about the anonymity of a big-box store, but wandering the aisles of a familiar layout had calmed her more than she could have imagined. And when she’d ambled into the pet supply section, something had taken over. She’d bought Spot a pink collar studded with rhinestones and a matching leash. She’d also picked up a fuzzy gray dog bed and hadn’t been able to resist grabbing a couple of the adorable doggy outfits.
In her old life, Avery shopped with as much efficiency and purpose as she did everything else. She had her groceries delivered, ordered expensive hair products and makeup from an online retailer, and shopped four times a year at the high-end shopping mall near her apartment for seasonal wardrobe updates.
Meandering through a home goods section, selecting colorful towels and washcloths to take back to her sister’s apartment, was a comforting indulgence.
Maybe this explained why the children’s clothing industry was booming. Shopping was a universal language of love for mothers everywhere. She’d been more excited about her purchases for a dog that wasn’t even hers than she’d been last year when she’d stumbled upon a perfect Vera Wang sheath dress on sale in her size.
She’d also grabbed a pink-handled brush and a package of colorful hair ties that would be perfect for Violet. But when she’d gotten back to the guesthouse and unpacked her car, her retail therapy session made her feel weak and embarrassed. She’d shoved the brush and hair ties into a drawer in the bathroom, then put the bags with the rest of her purchases into the closet. Magnolia was a temporary stop for her, not a place to call home.
As much as her endorphins had gone into overdrive during her shopping excursion, the letdown was a real kick in the shins.
But this morning she couldn’t help herself from dressing Spot in one of the outfits. The dog had stayed remarkably calm as Avery’d tugged the soft cotton over her head and popped her stubby legs through the armholes.
She would have sworn Spot liked wearing the thin argyle sweater.
“You gave her to me to foster. I think the outfit is good for her.”
Meredith smoothed a hand over the dog’s soft fur. “She’s already lost weight.”
“She’ll be ready to be adopted in no time,” Avery said, then touched her chest when it clenched painfully.
Meredith and Carrie shared a look.
“I’m not keeping the dog,” Avery said, ignoring the way Spot glanced up as if Avery had hurt her feelings.
“How do you feel about bunnies?” Meredith asked.
Avery shook her head. “Like I’ve already got enough poop in my life.”
A knock at the window had all three women turning. An older man smiled at Carrie and held up his hand, fingers spread out.
“The parade is five minutes out,” Carrie reported, her voice suddenly tight. “I asked Gene to keep me updated.”
“So this is really happening,” Meredith said quietly. “I’ve been to the Summer Fair Parade every year of my life, and now it feels like we’re the spectacle.”
“Is your dad going to be here?” Carrie asked, crossing her arms over her chest.
Meredith shook her head. “He went to his hunting cabin near Asheville. It was bad enough that he knew the truth for so many years and had to keep up appearances in town. The fact that everyone knows that my mom cheated on him is scraping at an old wound.”
“What do Erik and Theo think about all this?” Carrie glanced toward Avery. “Those are Meredith’s brothers.”
“Erik wants Dad to move down to Charleston. He says it will be easier to leave the past behind if he gets out of Magnolia.” She gave