The Merriest Magnolia (Magnolia Sisters #2) - Michelle Major Page 0,75

to have overloaded the main circuit, plunging the entire town into darkness, or maybe it was the whole county. Shae had called Meredith from the rescue to report they’d lost power and ask about any possible electrical storms.

No storm on the horizon other than the tornado blowing apart Carrie’s confidence.

Even now all she could seem to do was stand in place as people moved around her, putting in calls to the utility company and unplugging cords to ease the pressure on the system.

“I saw this on an episode of that Christmas light fight show,” Josie reported. “But they only knocked out the block.”

“It was beautiful while it worked,” Mary Ellen offered. “At least we tried it before the entire festival was ruined.”

“It was too much anyway,” Stuart said, shaking his head. “Should have listened to Dylan in the first place. Who would have thought he’d be the rational one in all of this?” He gave a long look at Carrie, Avery and Meredith. “I guess we should have expected it with you three.”

“Expected what?” Meredith demanded. “That we would have turned things around in this town in the course of a few short months. Between Avery’s marketing and the work that Carrie has put in to make the holiday events special, we’re still going to have the best holiday celebration this town has ever seen. Which will mean sales for you.”

“Back in the day we didn’t have to work so hard. People flocked to this town just because...” Stuart shrugged, as if realizing he’d gone too far. “Anyway, I’m going home. We should post something to the town’s Facebook page that everyone needs to bring flashlights tomorrow night in case the power goes out.”

“No one is posting about flashlights,” Avery said then turned to Mary Ellen. “Would you check in with Malcolm and see if there’s a time frame on getting things back to normal?”

“Sure thing.”

“Ruined,” Carrie whispered when she was alone with her sisters. “What if I ruined everything with my stupid need to go overboard?”

“Nothing you do is stupid,” Avery assured her.

“The same can’t be said for Stuart. That guy is inbred for sure.”

“Maybe he was right.” Despite the cool temperature as night fell, a bead of sweat trickled down Carrie’s back, and her stomach ached from her embarrassment at the scene she’d caused. “I’m creating a lot of work for myself and everyone else with no guarantee it will pay off.”

“It’s going to pay off.” Avery gave her a quick hug. “I talked to Miriam at The Magnolia Inn. She’s at full occupancy this weekend and almost half of her guests are visitors returning to spend a second weekend in town. According to her, the local bed-and-breakfasts are experiencing the same thing. That never happens this time of year.”

“I can’t remember the last weekend of no vacancy in Magnolia.” Malcolm gave her an approving nod as he approached. “You’ve done good here and we appreciate it.”

“I’m sorry about the power.”

At that moment the lights flicked back on, and Carrie breathed a sigh of relief. Relief tinged with a smidge of disappointment. Power had been restored to the buildings she could see from where they stood, but the town square remained dark.

“We had to unplug,” the mayor explained. “At least until someone from the utility company can figure out how to light the whole thing without other disturbances. They’re sending a crew out first thing tomorrow morning.”

“We’ll find a way to turn on at least some of the lights,” Avery promised. “I’m sure Gray will think of a solution.”

“He’s a firefighter,” Carrie reminded her sister, “not an electrician.”

Avery’s expression took on that dreamy look Carrie had come to expect when Gray was the topic of conversation. “He can do anything.”

“Her own personal superhero,” Meredith added, deadpan.

“I’ll call Gray in the morning,” Malcolm promised. “Any ideas are good ones at this point. Right now the three of you should head home. It’s all hands on deck first thing tomorrow.”

“We’ll make sure the weekend is great no matter what.” Avery gave Carrie another hug and even Meredith joined in. Carrie knew things must be bad if her normally flippant sister was offering solace.

“Want to grab dinner?” Meredith asked. “I’ve got to get back to check on Shae and the animals, but if we got something quick...”

“I told Violet I’d help with her costume for the Christmas pageant,” Avery said.

Carrie stared at her sophisticated, former city-girl sister. “You can sew?”

“No, but I bought a glue gun.” Avery grinned. “You can make