a bite of roll, and as sugary, sinful pleasure exploded on her taste buds she considered it. What if it flopped? That would be the worst! “I don’t know. Seems like a lot of work. I already have so much to do. Maybe if I had more time …”
“We’ll do all the work,” Celeste declared. “It’s right up our alley, isn’t it, girls? Sarah and Ali can handle the food. Cat, you can take care of the invitations, can’t you?”
“Sure.”
“Oh, that’s really thoughtful,” Savannah said, wondering how she’d lost control of the conversation—and her business plan, apparently. “I appreciate the thought, but I can’t ask you all to—”
“And why not?” Sarah stood beside the table, a coffeepot in her hand. Pouring a refill for Celeste, she said, “We’re your friends, aren’t we?”
Savannah’s heart did a little pitty-pat. “Well, yes, but—”
“I’ll bring my lemon pound cake. What night will we have this shindig? I suggest Thursday.”
“Thursday!” Savannah said as Sarah responded to Nic’s nod by topping off her cup, too. “That’s two days away!”
Cat said, “You said you’re opening Memorial Day weekend.”
“Wednesday night is out because it’s Baked Goods Bingo night at Saint Stephen’s.” Celeste smiled at Savannah over the top of her coffee cup. “Don’t fret, dear. Just dust and make sure you have change and enough inventory to restock after you sell twice as much as you expect.”
Ten minutes later, Savannah departed Fresh with a dog biscuit for Inny, a to-do list a mile long, and a new spring in her step. Not only was she on a sugar high, but she was going to have a party. Her first!
And she couldn’t think of anything better to keep her focused on moving forward rather than looking back … or thinking about Zach.
It was a good plan that didn’t quite work out, because when she arrived home she found a note taped to her door. I do believe you, it read. There was a name scrawled at the bottom: Zach.
She stayed in her workshop most of the day, trying not to think about events at Reflection Point, preparing inventory, and wondering if she was crazy to make so many of the Spring Cleaned bubble bars. To her the scent said springtime in Eternity Springs, so she thought the locals would like them. She spent her evening fielding calls about the open house and trying on almost every outfit in her closet. While jeans and a T-shirt were the ordinary uniform of the day in town, she thought her first party deserved something a little more.
Not that she had that much to choose from. Six years in prison garb had given her a pent-up demand for pretty clothing, but the desire to save enough money to get out of Georgia had limited her spending on nonessentials. Still, she’d shopped smart and she did have a few nice pieces in her closet. After much inner debate she’d settled on skinny jeans with a red cashmere sweater and red peek-a-boo pumps.
By morning she’d changed her mind and decided on a bohemian look with a broomstick-pleated skirt, a V-necked knit top, and a hand-beaded, fringed leather belt.
By lunchtime she’d switched her choice to a designer sundress she’d bought in a consignment shop in Denver.
She’d just finished dressing in the skinny jeans and sweater when her doorbell rang a full forty-five minutes before the open house was due to begin. Her annoyance disappeared when Sarah Murphy said, “We’re here to help with last-minute preparations.”
Her husband, Cam, gave Savannah a gratifying wolf whistle and a kiss on the cheek. “Don’t you look gorgeous.”
His wife elbowed him in the ribs. “Stop flirting with my friend and go get the pound cake out of the car.”
“Didn’t your son already drop off a pound cake?” Savannah asked as Ali and Mac Timberlake followed the Murphys inside. Devin Murphy had brought boxes of desserts around four o’clock, and Savannah knew a lemon pound cake had been one of them, because she’d snatched a piece.
“I decided we needed extras,” Sarah said after Savannah welcomed the newcomers.
Ali added, “I talked to Cat and she said she only received one invitation decline. It’s going to be a packed house. I have extra canapés in the warming oven at the restaurant. Mac said he’d go get them when we need them.”
Savannah’s stomach rolled over with nervousness. This is going to cost a fortune. “Sarah, Ali. Thank you so much. About your bill …”
“What bill?” Ali asked. “This open house is on the house.”