later with a tote bag filled with samples, she was on such a creative high that she could have sprouted wings and flown to Angel’s Rest.
As it was, she decided to walk to her meeting instead of taking the Taurus. It was a gorgeous morning and after three days trapped inside her workshop, she needed the exercise. Sunshine warmed the air and cast a glow on dewdrops clinging to flowers and lawns. The scent of baking bread drifted on the air, and Savannah’s stomach growled. “I shouldn’t have skipped breakfast,” she said to Inny, whom Celeste had invited over to play with the dachshund she was fostering for the area rescue group that Cat Davenport ran in her spare time. Privately, Savannah didn’t see where the woman found any. Between being a newlywed, building a summer camp, and running the town newspaper, Cat was one of the hardest workers Savannah had ever met. She liked Cat, too. She hoped that over time they could become better friends.
Focused on the presentation, she’d been too excited to eat this morning. A part of her wanted to prove herself to Francine’s twin more than anyone else in town. That was the emotional part of the proposition, and it was ridiculous, really. Celeste wasn’t Francine. She was no more important than any other woman Savannah had met since moving to town.
Celeste wasn’t Grams, either. Savannah’s grandmother had been the very definition of a true southern lady. And she’d be proud of Savannah, no matter what. That’s what really mattered.
Of course, the money she would make from sales to Angel’s Rest was important, so part of this need to impress the woman was real. She believed she’d do it with what she brought to show Celeste Blessing today.
She’d settled on four very distinct fragrances to offer Celeste. Savannah honestly believed that these selections were the best she’d ever produced. She strolled through town with a smile on her face and a spring in her step. When she arrived at the intersection of Fourth and Cottonwood, she glanced to her left just long enough to check traffic, her gaze sliding right over the vehicles parked in front of the sheriff’s office. She didn’t care where Zach Turner was or what he was doing or whose secrets he was spilling. At least that’s what she tried to tell herself on the lovely late spring morning.
She crossed the footbridge over Angel Creek and struck a course for the building that once upon a time had served as the carriage house for the Cavanaugh family’s Victorian mansion but now housed the spa facility for Angel’s Rest Healing Center and Spa. As she walked through the rose garden, the church bells in town began to chime the hour. “Right on time,” she murmured, stepping onto the spa facility’s porch just as the tenth bell pealed. Taking a moment, she mentally pictured Celeste Blessing, then Francine Vaughn, and she grimaced and shuddered. Savannah figured it was better for her to face her distaste and deal with it now so that she wouldn’t react stupidly when she saw Celeste.
She needed to get over this reaction. It was stupid and unfair to Celeste. Everything she’d seen and heard about Celeste Blessing made her out to be a truly wonderful person. Savannah figured she just needed to be around her more often so that when she looked at her she saw Celeste instead of Francine.
She opened the door to the spa and stepped inside. Glancing around, she didn’t see Celeste, only a tall, dark-haired woman who was in the process of kicking off her shoes as she took a seat in the pedicure chair. Spying Savannah, she said, “You must be Savannah Moore?”
“Yes.”
“I’m Gabi Romano. I’ve just moved to Eternity Springs. Celeste tells me you’re a newcomer, too.”
“I am.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Savannah. Maybe we can help each other settle into town.”
Savannah’s first reaction was to put on the chill, but then she remembered that she was trying to make an effort there, too. Adding friendly warmth to her voice, she said, “I think that would be nice.”
“Me too. Now, Celeste called a few minutes ago and said to tell you she’s running late, but for you to relax and enjoy a pedicure on the house.” She gestured toward the massage chair beside hers. “The water is warm and ready for you. Erin, the attendant, has gone to the kitchen for more ice, but she’ll be right back.”