The Magnolia Sisters (Magnolia Sisters #1) - Michelle Major Page 0,43
in a ponytail. Today’s style should provide a juicy follow-up piece.”
“That’s creepy.”
“Yeah,” both women said at once, then glared at each other as if irritated to agree about something.
“Mavis Bell publishes the paper,” Carrie told her. “She’s been running it for forty years. Usually, no one pays much attention but I heard she’s doing a second printing this weekend.”
“I’m going back to the carriage house,” Avery said, panic fluttering in her chest. What if Mavis Bell uncovered the specifics of why she’d left San Francisco? It wasn’t as if her affair and the fallout had made the news or anything. But a call to the right person would reveal too much.
“You can’t leave now,” Carrie told her. “People will want to meet you.”
“And try to convince me not to sell the downtown buildings.”
“Probably,” Meredith confirmed.
“I’ve met plenty of people already.” Just then, Spot tugged on the leash, straining to get to the steps that led off the podium, clearly ready to mingle.
“Do it for the dog,” Meredith told her. “Be sure to let everyone know she’ll be ready for adoption in a few weeks.”
Avery didn’t like the way her stomach turned at the thought of that, but she nodded. “Also that she’ll come with an incredible wardrobe.”
Meredith inclined her head. “Right. I’m heading over to the shelter’s booth to make sure everything’s under control. I’ll see you two later.”
“I made an appointment with a Realtor from Raleigh for next week,” Avery said as Meredith started to walk away.
Both of her sisters turned to face her.
“We haven’t agreed on anything yet,” Carrie said tightly. “You can’t decide on your own.”
Meredith gestured to the crowded town square. “Interesting timing on dropping the news.”
“I know.” Avery bit down on her lower lip. “You’re both right but we can’t move forward without understanding the value of the property. It’s just a meeting.”
“Maybe to you,” Carrie said quietly, then stalked away without another word.
Meredith pointed at Avery. “I wish you’d quit doing that.”
“Doing what?”
“Making stupid decisions or comments so that I realize I’m on the same side as Carrie half the time. It’s way more comfortable when I hate her.”
“You don’t hate her,” Avery answered.
“Which is a big problem.” Meredith shook her head. “We’ve got bowls of water for the dogs at the shelter booth. Make sure Spot doesn’t get dehydrated.”
Avery nodded and watched Meredith disappear into the crowd.
Why had she mentioned the Realtor meeting right now? Maybe she needed to remind all of them that they weren’t allies in this. The mayor’s speech, as innocuous as it had been, gave her all the feels. She’d always wanted to belong but had never quite found her place. Magnolia wasn’t it. This small town couldn’t offer her the sense of home she craved. Secrets never stayed secret in places like this, and once people found out about her past, they’d hate her and rightfully so.
She’d made mistakes and wasn’t sure she’d ever stop paying for them. How could she expect anyone else to forgive her when she couldn’t forgive herself?
Spot strained against the end of the leash again, pulling her back to the present moment. Someone had dropped a chunk of donut on the ground at the bottom of the stairs, and the dog was determined to get to it. She scooped up the animal.
“No people food,” she scolded gently, moving down the steps and away from the discarded pastry before lowering Spot to the ground again.
She focused on drawing air in and out of her lungs when she realized she was holding her breath again. So much for an automatic function.
A woman who looked like she might be close to Avery’s age approached. “I love your outfit,” she said with a disarmingly friendly smile.
Avery hadn’t been on the receiving end of that kind of easy warmth recently. “Thanks.” She smoothed a hand over the front of her shirt. “I think I’m overdressed, though.”
“You look sophisticated,” the woman told her. “Like you don’t