and notepads spread out before her. A stack of boxes was piled high in the corner, nearly blocking the back door. I could see cases of local wine, cellophane wrapped gift baskets and framed prints. The place looked like the inside of someone’s storage locker.
“I decided to add a silent auction,” she was excited, “I’ve been collecting donations from neighborhood businesses… Can you believe all the great stuff I’ve gotten so far? We’re on track to raise a lot of money!”
“Wow… that’s a really great idea!”
I was impressed. Abby was a loving mom and a compassionate yoga instructor, but I’d never known her to be so organized and efficient. It seemed as though Ethan and Lue’s misfortune was revealing some hidden talents.
“Should I sign you up to donate a painting?” she smiled slyly.
“Of course!” I replied, “I’ll add one to the pile. Can I pick you up anything from the market?”
“No thanks, Dutch is coming by to make us dinner later–”
Her phone rang, and I waved goodbye to her while she took yet another call. It was really gratifying to see how the community had rallied around the cause. Once people heard about the government’s plans, most of them were outraged. Soon, Lue would have enough money and support to defend himself. I had a very good feeling about the outcome.
I pulled up to the farmers market, heading over to the espresso cart and picking up a couple of mochas. When Ethan looked up to see me heading towards him, his face broke into a wide grin, and he stopped what he was doing to watch me. The way his eyes squinted melted my heart, and when I came around the back of his stand he took the coffees from my hands and set them down, reaching around my back to pull me in close.
“I was just thinking about you,” he bent down to press his forehead into mine.
“I hope it was a good thought,” I said.
He kissed my breath away, “It’s always good.”
We sat down together, sipping our coffees and talking about plans for the rally. It was still a week away but everything was coming together nicely, falling into place like clockwork. Even the weather was shaping up to be in our favor.
“I can’t believe how much everybody’s helping us,” he said, “Megan hooked us up with a sound system from some musican guy she just met, and she agreed to announce the bands and the speakers. Abby’s been calling all over town for donations. This is gonna be great.”
I smiled, happy for him, happy for us… just plain happy. I moved my chair to the back of his stand and watched him work. The market picked up, and Ethan had to hustle to keep up with all the customers. He refused my offers to help, and I was feeling kind of useless, so I pulled a book out of my tote bag and kicked back to read.
“Hey Ethan,” a girl’s voice called out familiarly.
I looked up to recognize his ex-girlfriend with a jolt of shock. She was standing there with a smile, a canvas market bag slung over her shoulder with a bouquet of flowers sticking out of it. She was even prettier than I remembered. I could have sworn I’d gotten over it, but my body betrayed me, and I tensed up, my heart pounding in my throat.
“Hey,” Ethan replied. He looked nervous, and his eyes darted back to meet mine. Why did I have to pick today to forget my sunglasses?
“Aren’t you going to introduce me to your friend?” Her voice sounded sweet, but her eyes were hard and appraising. They told me everything I needed to know. She still wanted him, and she knew I stood in her way.
“I’m Amber,” she said, holding out her hand with a false smile.
I got up and came over to shake it, trying to swallow the lump in my throat. “I’m Marina,” I replied. My voice sounded funny to me.
She gestured to a girl standing alongside her, “This is my friend Brittany.” The two of them exchanged a glance before Brittany looked at me the same way she did, sizing me up.
“How’s business going?” Amber asked Ethan, gesturing to one of my posters hanging from the awning. “Is what I heard true? That’s for the land that you’re buying from that Chinese guy?”
The way she talked about Lue annoyed me, and when she turned to face Ethan I got a better look at her. She was really beautiful;